Operation Raavan Review: A Philosophical Psycho Thriller
Story
There is a masked psycho killer on the loose who kidnaps and kills would-be brides. Against the backdrop of these murders, a well-intentioned senior journalist, Amani (Sangeerthana Vipin), exposes the corruption of a politician who sponsors her media house. Ram (Rakshit) joins the same media house as her associate journalist. To keep the scoop under wraps, the CEO of TV45 moves Amani to the crime beat. Disappointed by the police’s faulty investigation, the journalist duo starts their own investigation. So, who is Ram? Who is the masked killer? Where does their investigation lead them?
Performances
Rakshit and Radhika deliver equally stellar performances. Rakshit, an upcoming hero, shows full-fledged development in his acting skills, handling emotions, romance, and comedy very well. After a long time, we see Radhika in a complete Telugu film, where she gives a very subtle yet moving performance. Sangeerthana does a commendable job justifying her role. Rocket Raghava and S. S. Kanchi make us chuckle during their screen time. The comedy is good.
Writing and Direction
The story is written with a philosophical and psychological narrative. The caption of the movie, “Your thoughts are your enemies,” motivates the storyline. The plot discusses the conflict between choosing two opposite paths, the moral conflict, and how it affects a sensitive mind. Director and story writer Venkat Satya, although a first-time director, shows depth in storytelling and strong character building. The movie doesn’t take the easy route of being just another psycho-thriller; it offers intricate character arcs and backstories. Writing goosebumps-inducing dialogues in scenes or creating scenes to highlight those dialogues doesn’t provide the deserved depth; strong character building does. This is successfully achieved by debut director Venkat Satya.
Character Development
Veteran actress Radhika presents her character in a new light. Her portrayal of the victim’s mother takes the audience on an emotional journey. Her performance is moving and realistic, evoking genuine emotions from the viewers. Operation Ravan is a small-budget film, but if these portrayals were in a big-budget production, the character portrayals would likely be widely celebrated. Radhika’s few expressions and reactions are surprising and realistic. That’s exactly how someone behaves when faced with such situations. Rakshit Atluri, Sangeerthana, S. S. Kanchi, Raghu Kunche, Vinod Sagar, and TV5 Murthy all deliver realistic performances, reflecting genuine behaviors and dialogues. The acting is not just for the scene; the characters carry throughout the movie
Themes and Execution
Operation Ravan stands out from typical psycho-thrillers by providing strong backstories, values, and motivations for its characters. It sparks discussions on moral conflicts and integrates the psychological and philosophical aspects into the narrative. The film’s attempt to explore deeper themes is commendable, offering a refreshing break from formulaic crime thrillers. While the execution may not be flawless, the film encourages viewers to engage with the material on a thought-provoking level.
Music by Saravana Vasudev
The songs are both pleasant and memorable, while the background score is exceptionally fitting for a thriller. It effectively heightens the suspense and keeps the audience engaged, adding significant depth to the overall cinematic experience.
Verdict
Operation Ravan is a film that invites multiple interpretations. Its philosophical undercurrents are commendable, though the overall impact is somewhat diluted by an inconsistent tone. Despite this, the film serves as a reminder that even within commercial genres, there is room to explore profound human questions.Operation Ravan Review
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