Film Review: RAANJHANAA

While he lacks in the looks department, Dhanush more than compensates with his acting skills

Cast: Dhanush, Sonam Kapoor, Abhay Deol, Swara Baskar, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub
Director: Aanand L. Rai

THE STORY

Kundan (Dhanush) is the son of a Tamil priest who serves at a temple in Benaras. Zoya (Sonam Kapoor) is a rich Muslim girl living with her parents in the same place. He falls in love with her the very first time he sees her. They both are in school but that does not stop Kundan from pursuing Zoya. Soon, she is convinced that she loves him too. When her parents find out, they send her away to another city to complete her studies. It’s eight years before Zoya returns to Benaras. Kundan can’t wait to get back together with the love of his life. But will Zoya feel the same way?

MY PERCEPTION

The film is set in a colourful Benaras amidst Holi and other celebrations. The music by AR Rahman is awesome as usual. Dhanush and Sonam’s song and dance sequences fit in quite well with the story line.

While he lacks in the looks department, Dhanush more than compensates with his acting skills. While Kamal Hassan, Rajinikanth and many others have tried their stints in Bollywood, Dhanush’s entry is made special by the role he has chosen to do. He is a Tamilian in the film and hence has made a sensible choice. I believe he has spoken all his dialogues in Hindi. It’s pretty amazing that his accent is not too bad either. Kudos Dhanush!

Sonam Kapoor has also done very well as Zoya. She looks cute as a high school girl and eight years later, a lovely woman. Only I was not too fond of her character in the movie.

Abhay Deol breezes through the few odd scenes that he takes part in – nothing to write home about.

A special mention has to be made of Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub as Kundan’s friend Murari and Swara Baskar as Bindiya, the woman who is crazily in love with Kundan. They both absolutely added value to the film.

While the film begins with a bang, it tends to drag in the second half. The film runs for about 2 hrs and 20 minutes but I still found it a tide too long. I wonder when the directors and editors will stop dragging a film to death. It would have been better with crisper editing, especially the second half. It appeared as if the director had set off in a direction and then did not know how to take it further.

VERDICT: You can see it once for Dhanush’s acting skills if nothing else

RATING: ***Smart

*Silly
**Shaky
***Smart
****Snazzy
*****Super