ArpitGarg's Weblog

Raman Raghav is a movie which won’t get much audience. Whatever people do make it to theatres due to Nawaz and Anurag, chances are many of them will leave the movie midway. In fact the theatre I watched was scantily filled and many people did not return post interval.

So how is it? Well, I liked the movie. Now I am frightened about myself. I liked the subtlety of the serial killer. I chuckled at every senseless kill. When Raman innocently explains that he killed a guy because when Raman was walking on the divider (black and while alternate lines), he only stepped on black lines and this drunken guy stood on a black line and wouldn’t move, so he killed him. There was no dark reason, no childhood issues. As Rama explained that killing came natural to him, just like eating food. You just do it, no reason.

The movie has its weak points too. It goes excruciatingly slow and repetitive in the second half. The plot of Raman and Raghav is not well written and comes out as weak. Though the actor that played Raghav is good, the character lacks connect and depth. Nawaz as Raman is superb. His character has all the depth. He is a maniac with innocence. The scene at his sister’s house is chilling. I saw few people leaving theatre after that.

When Raman is locked up, he cries in front of God. The way he complains to God about being beaten up and not having matchstick to light the cigarette, in the same breath, is simply superb. The character as well as the movie will evoke extreme reactions. Either you will love it or hate it. There can be no middle ground.

Movie would have been better without Raman and Raghav plot. Raghav’s character could just have been a police inspector without trying to mirror Raman. But still, the movie stays with you. At least Raman’s character haunts you, makes you chuckle, long after the movie is over. And that is a win for Nawaz and Anurag. Well done!