Starcast: Mithun Chakraborty, Madhoo, Aditya Pancholi, Harish, Sheeba Akashdeep, Paresh Rawal and Shakti Kapoor Music: Viju Shah Direction...
Starcast: Mithun Chakraborty, Madhoo, Aditya Pancholi, Harish, Sheeba Akashdeep, Paresh Rawal and Shakti Kapoor
Music: Viju Shah
Direction: T. Rama Rao
Ravan Raaj: A True Story is a gripping
Hindi-language action thriller directed by T. Rama Rao, marking his final hit
as a filmmaker. Starring Mithun Chakraborty, Madhoo, Aditya Pancholi, Paresh
Rawal, and Shakti Kapoor, the film is a remake of the 1990 Tamil blockbuster
Pulan Visaranai. Inspired by the chilling real-life crimes of the notorious
psychopath and serial killer Auto Shankar, it delves into the dark world of
organ trafficking and crime in Bombay. Released on June 23, 1995, the film was
a commercial success. With its intense narrative, memorable performances, and
catchy music, Ravan Raaj remains a notable entry in the 1990s Bollywood action
genre.
Storyline:
Set against the backdrop of a crime-ridden Bombay,
Ravan Raaj centers on a series of mysterious kidnappings of young women. The
police, stationed at Kala Chowki, are ineffective until former Assistant
Commissioner of Police Arjun Verma (Mithun Chakraborty) is reinstated to tackle
the case. As Arjun digs deeper, he uncovers a gruesome organ trafficking racket
led by the sinister Dr. Amir Khurana (Aditya Pancholi). The auto-rickshaw
driver Auto Kesariya (Shakti Kapoor), a character inspired by Auto Shankar, is
the key man in the kidnappings. The investigation takes a personal turn when
Arjun’s fiancée, Geeta (Madhoo), goes missing after abandoning him on their
wedding day, adding an emotional angle to his mission.
The narrative unfolds with shocking discoveries,
including skeletal remains of abducted women whose kidneys were harvested. Key
suspenseful moments, such as Arjun’s raid on Auto Kesariya’s den—where a police
dog uncovers a wall hiding skeletons were truly praiseworthy . The story
maintains a taut pace, blending action, crime, and corruption, though some plot
points, like Geeta’s sudden disappearance, feel slightly underdeveloped. The
film’s strength lies in its ability to weave a real-life-inspired crime saga
into a commercial Bollywood framework, delivering both thrills and social
commentary.
Direction and Other Technical Departments:
T. Rama Rao’s direction is a standout, skillfully
balancing gritty realism with Bollywood’s masala flair. His experience in
crafting engaging thrillers is evident in the film’s suspenseful sequences and
well-choreographed action scenes. The director ensures the narrative remains
gripping, particularly in scenes like the skeleton discovery and the climactic
confrontation, adding shock value and tension. His ability to adapt the Tamil
film Pulan Visaranai for Hindi audiences while retaining its core intensity is
commendable, making Ravan Raaj his last successful directorial venture.
The technical departments also shine.
Cinematography by V. Durga Prasad captures Bombay’s underbelly effectively,
with dim lighting and claustrophobic framing enhancing the thriller’s mood. The
action sequences, though typical of the era, are executed with precision, with
highlights like Arjun’s raids and chases adding to the film’s energy. Editing
by Gautham Raju is crisp, maintaining a brisk pace , though some romantic
subplots could have been trimmed for tighter storytelling. The production
design, especially in depicting Auto Kesariya’s den and the hospital settings,
adds authenticity to the organ trafficking theme.
Music:
The soundtrack, composed by Viju Shah, is one of
Ravan Raaj’s biggest strengths, often cited as a highlight alongside Mithun and
Pancholi’s performance. Songs like “Aaina Aaina Tere Bin Chaina” (Kumar Sanu,
Jayshree F., Shivram) and “O Sanam O Sanam” (Kumar Sanu, Sadhana Sargam) are
melodious and well-picturized, offering emotional respite amid the film’s
intensity. The energetic “Tu Cheez Badi Hai Sakht Sakht” (Bali Brahmabhatt,
Johnny Lever, Sapna Mukherjee), "Husnwalon se Yeh" (Udit Narayan) and “Ooh! Ooh!
Ooh…Oah!” (Bali Brahmabhatt, Poornima), inject fun and vibrancy, with Johnny
Lever’s comedic cameo in the former being a highlight. While not
groundbreaking, the music complements the film’s tone and remains memorable for
fans of 1990s Bollywood.
Performances:
Mithun Chakraborty delivers a powerhouse
performance as ACP Arjun Verma, carrying the film with his trademark intensity
and charisma. His action sequences are convincing, and he brings depth to
Arjun’s emotional turmoil, especially in scenes involving Geeta’s betrayal.
Madhoo, as journalist Gayatri (Geeta), gets more screen time than typical
heroines in Mithun’s films of the era, and she holds her own with a spirited
performance. Aditya Pancholi is chilling as the sophisticated yet ruthless Dr.
Amir Khurana, adding menace and style to the antagonist’s role. Shakti Kapoor’s
portrayal of Auto Kesariya is both menacing and theatrical, perfectly capturing
the essence of a real-life-inspired villain. Paresh Rawal, as the corrupt
minister Charan Das, is excellent, with his punchy often comical dialogues and
sly demeanor stealing scenes. Supporting actors like Harish Kumar and Sheeba
Akashdeep are adequate, while Johnny Lever’s brief comedic appearance is
hilarious. Thus, the ensemble cast’s chemistry elevates the film’s impact.
Ravan Raaj: A True Story is a compelling action
thriller that blends real-life crime with Bollywood’s commercial sensibilities.
T. Rama Rao’s final hit showcases his directorial prowess, delivering a
suspenseful narrative rooted in the chilling crimes of Auto Shankar. Mithun
Chakraborty’s stellar performance, backed by a strong supporting cast, Viju
Shah’s catchy music, and solid technical execution, makes the film a standout
in the 1990s action genre. While some subplots feel rushed and the romantic track
occasionally slows the pace, the film’s intense storyline and gripping moments
ensure it remains engaging. For fans of Mithun Chakraborty and action-packed
thrillers, Ravan Raaj is a must-watch, marking a significant milestone as both
T. Rama Rao’s last success and the end of Mithun’s superstardom as a solo hero
in A grade Bollywood films.
By Ayushmaan Mitra
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