Reviews : Movie Reviews : Rangam

Film: Rangam
Cast: Jiva, Karthika, Pia, Prakash Raj, Kota Srinivas Rao, Ajmal, and others
Dialogues : Sri Ramakrishna
Music : Haaris Jayaraj
Cinematography: Richard M Nathan
Action: Peter Heins
Editing: Anthony
Produced by : Kumar and Jayaraman
Banner: Supegood Films and RS Infotainment
Story, screenplay and directed by: K V Anand
Release date: May 13, 2011

What's it about!
Aswin (Jiva) is enthusiastic photojournalist working in a news daily called Neti Vaartha. Two female reporters Renuka (Karthika) and Saro (Pia) are close to him and both love him but his heart beats for only Renuka. On the other hand, a politician (Kota) and Chief-minister (Prakash Raj) try everything to come to power again in the coming elections. At the same time, a young and highly educated leader Vasanth (Ajmal) fields in the same elections and campaigns rigorously for clean politics. Aswin wholly supports Vasanth and publishes photos of wrongdoings of Kota and CM. At a massive campaign meeting of Vasanth, a bomb explodes killing several people including journalist Pia. This bomb incident creates further sympathy towards Vasanth and he comes to power. The film then throws a surprise twist.

Analysis

So far, cinematographer turned director K V Anand directed two Tamil films and both of them were released in Telugu. His third and latest Tamil blockbuster Ko comes into Telugu as Rangam. With this film, K V Anand joins the top league of directors in South India. His selection of plot and his narrative skills are superb. He mixes today's politics and journalism, and crime thriller elements effortlessly with a touch of commercial dose. Although Telugu dialogues in beginning are little bit hard to digest but once the movie picks up the momentum, you glue to the proceedings. Not once the movie sidetracks from the main story. K V Anand has shown complete grip on narration. Like director Shankar, K V Anand brings so much verve to the movie with his fast faced narration.

Best part of the movie is that the director completely goes with the plot rather than giving unnecessary focus to the heroism. He brings out heroism with the hero's actions than false buildup.

It is right mix of action, suspense, good performances by actors and taut narration. On the downside, the film's dialogues are so artificial in Telugu. The language used in the movie is bookish.

Performances

Tamil actor J iva completely goes into the skin of the character of a photojournalist. He is so natural in the role. He is main asset to the movie. He shows lots of energy required for the character and also exhibits restrain whenever necessary. The other guy who shines exceptionally is Ajmal in the role of a young politician. He looks handsome and emotes so well.

In the role of journalist, Karthika is fits well. She lacks glamour quotient in true sense but she plays her role perfectly. Newcomer Pia is just okay as bubbly journalist. Senior actors Kota and Prakash Raj don't go wrong.

The film completely belongs to the writer and director K V Anand . His narration is good, his picturisation is perfect and he also brings out best from the chief technicians - music director Haaris Jayaraj (background score is superb) and cinematographer Richard. The picturisation of two romantic duets - Enduko Emo and Nemali Kannula - is eye-catching. Editing by Anthony is slick.

The only technician who fails utterly is dialogue writer Sri Ramakrishna. The old man should watch Telugu films more, to know the present Telugu language being used. His words are so bookish and clichéd.

Bottom-line

Rangam is a fantastic film with contemporary story. Director K V Anand packages the movie as an action movie but it does have sensible storyline and narration is also equally good. It is racy. Go for it.

Rating: 3.5/5

Reviewed by JP

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