Story:
The story takes place in Nagari, Andhra Pradesh. Lingam (Murali Sharma), a gang leader acts as a proxy for a Tamilnadu minister, constructs a medical institution on a plot of land owned by Mallika (Bhavani Shankar). After Andhra Pradesh was split up into two states in the 1950s, the lands that Mallika and her family owned eventually went to Tamilnadu state.
Though raucous, Rathnam (Vishal), uses his rowdy ways for the benefit of the community and the town. He feels a strong connection to Mallika when he sees her. Later, he discovers that Mallika is a striking resemblance to his late mother.
Because Mallika looks so much like his mother, Rathnam does all in his power to protect her from Lingam and his rowdies. The subsequent events of the drama revolve around Rathnam’s realization that the cause he champions is not only Mallika’s, but also his own.
Analysis
“Rathnam” is the Telugu dubbed version of a Tamil movie with the same title. It was released today in theaters in both languages. “Rathnam,” directed by Hari, known for his previous films like “Yamudu,” quickly becomes apparent as another derivative and insipid product in the director’s repertoire of mindless and formulaic masala films. The movie follows the same predictable actioner pattern.
When you go to the cinema to watch action movies like this, you typically expect to see a predictable storyline and repetitive sequences. Still, “Rathnam” gives the impression that the director stopped trying to create new “scenes” and scenarios, and instead concentrated on replicating elements from his previous films.
From the characterization of the hero to the numerous fight sequences and the hero’s rejection of the heroine’s love proposal, every aspect of the film serves as an echo of Hari’s popular action dramas.
In addition, Yogi Babu’s comedy is exceedingly ludicrous. The supposed revelation regarding the protagonist’s mother and the real background of the primary antagonist fails to elicit a sense of surprise as well.
Vishal’s role is designed in formulaic way and his performance is likewise lackluster and unremarkable. Priya Bhavani Shankar has portrayed the dual parts of Vishal’s mother and Mallika. In both roles, she predominantly exhibits the ‘edupu’ expression.
Although Murali Sharma and Samuthirakani do their roles with skill, Yogi Babu’s comedy is irritating.
In all of filmmaker Hari’s films, the action stunt masters are assigned a greater workload than the actors, and this film is no exception. However, numerous chase sequences seem repetitive.
Devi Sri Prasad has only rehashed his previous Telugu cinema tunes. M Sukumar’s cinematography is a standard fare.
Bottomline: “Rathnam”, helmed by director Hari and featuring Vishal in the lead role, is a prime example of a mindless masala film, replete with formulaic sequences that not only thoroughly tire the audience but also induce headaches.
Rating: 1.75/5
Film: Rathnam
Cast: Vishal, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Samuthirakani, Yogibabu, Murali Sharma, and others.
Music: Devi Sri Prasad
DOP: M Sukumar
Editor: T S Jay
Stunt: Kanal Kannan, Peter Hein, Dhilip Subbrayan, Vicky
Producers: Kaarthekeyen Santhanam, Zee Studios
Story, screenplay and Directed by: Hari
Release Date: April 26, 2024
