‘Rann’ Review: Too Much Preaching!!

Film: Rann
Language: Hindi
Banner: Vistaar Religare Film Fund, Big Bang Films Production and WSG Pictures
Rating: 3/5
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Ritesh Deshmukh, Paresh Rawal, Mohnish Behl., Suchitra Krishnamurthy, Rajat Kapoor, Gul Panag, Neetu Chandra, Rajpal Yadav, Sudeep, Rahul Pendkalkar, Neena Kulkarni, Simone Singh etc
Cinematography: Amit Roy
Art: Aparna Sud
Editor: Nipun Gupta
Sound: Debasish Mishra
Story: Rohit Banawlikar
Producers: Sheetal Vinod Talwar, Madhu Mantena
Director: Ram Gopal Varma

Ram Gopal Varma has once again pulled audience to theaters in mobs despite his recent debacle ‘Agyaat’. That shows the indelible image he has and the unchallenged faith he creates among audience promising something interesting and hitting at every attempt. Let us sail in to the bits and pieces of this movie Rann and know how far it’s interesting and how hard it’s hitting:

Story:
Vijay Harshavardhan Malik (Amitabh Bachchan) is the owner of ‘India 24x7’ Channel. He is very idealistic in thought and action. He believes that media is responsible for people in every aspect. He believes only in reporting and educating than sensationalizing and gossiping. His main competitor is another channel ‘Headlines 24’ whose MD is Amreesh Kakkar (Mohnish Behl).

Vijay’s son Jay Malik (Sudeep), a hyper sensitive personality, is a contrast to his father and his love interest in Yasmeen (Neetu Chandra). He tries to grow big earning huge bucks through the channel.

Mohan Pande (Paresh Rawal), the opposition party leader conspires to dethrone the ruling PM Hoodda by using top two channels India 24x7 and Headlines 24.

How badly the family of channel head effect with that conspiracy? How selfishness of politicians, channel owners and their family members ruin the society. How channels are using the instincts of people to make money? That forms rest of the story.

Performances:
Every artiste needs highest possible commendation.

Sudeep excelled as hyper sensitive guy. Neetu marveled with glamour and also with little scope for performance she was given.

Ritesh has underplayed while Amitabh has shown his thespian talent with impressive histrionics in the climax.

Paresh Rawal brought some laughs and Raj Pal Yadav many. Suchitra is sufficient in CEO’s role while Mohnish Behl did his best as competitor to Amitabh.

Technically the movie is another master piece. Music directors are many- Dharmaraj Bhatt, Sandeep Patil, Jayesh Gandhi, Bapi, Tutul, Sanjeev Kohli, Amar Mohile but still all compositions stand on par with each other with similar tone and note! But there are no great numbers those haunt till audience reach home.

Highlights:
1. Raj Pal Yadav’s program titles bring ample laughs in theaters. Here are some-

• ‘Amma Dekh Tera Munda Bigdaa Jaye’
• ‘Pal Me Garam-Pal Me Naram’
• ‘Sirf Dekhiye-Sochiye Math’
• ‘Jo Jeeta Vohi Sikander’

2. Paresh Rawal’s performance and dialogue about ‘Kanoon…’!

3. Amitabh Bachchan’s climax performance

Analysis:
It’s too much of preaching.

Generally ‘Varmaism’ is known for less dialogue and more action. But here it’s out of religion. It’s verbose. This movie is just for media people on media. Hence they get connected to this. But the preaching part may appeal only for a few.

It has ample stuff to learn by aspiring directors and cinematographers as it is another good text book for

• shot composition,
• single shot making, and
• usage of steady camera,
• optimal utilization of digital elements,
• lighting,
• background score and
• sound mixing.

But it may not entertain general audience. The theme chosen and executed is too heavy and concentrated. Above all it’s verbose and indoctrinating at the climax.

First half of the movie runs in pace with introduction of characters and their characterization with some story that moves ahead. Interval bang boosts up some interest and second half goes in similar plane and pace.

It’s a movie made with right motive but the narration sounds too idealistic. The two positive characters Poorab (Ritesh) and Vijay Malik (Amitabh) sound completely Utopian in their ideologies and approach which wouldn’t connect audience to reality. The script should have projected intelligence of these two protagonists than sincerity, patriotism etc. Thus, director missed ‘brain act’ in this and played only on ‘morals and ethics’.

On a whole it’s a sensible movie but the impact that it shows on media will be nil. The entertainment it gives for general audience wouldn’t fit the bill.

Bottom Line: Strictly for tolerant audience