Raayan: Dhanush scores majestically as actor and director

Raayan which is released in theaters today marks the multitalented Dhanush.s second film as director apart from being his 50th film as hero.  He has chosen a dark tale of family bonding in the midst of the underworld of North Chennai.  Whether the film will make an impact on all sections of the audiences apart from Dhanush fans remains to be seen

Kathavarayan (Dhanush) Muthuvel Rayan (Sandeep Kishan) Manikavel Rayan (Kalidas Jayaram) are three brothers living with their only sister Durga (Dushara Vijayan) in Chennai.  They run a street food restaurant for a living.  Kathavarayan is inordinately fond of his kid sister and  as a teenager even murders a guardian who tries to sell her.   The area is ruled by dreaded gangster Durai (Saravanan) and his arch rival  Sethu (SJ Surya), who is waiting to for a chance to avenge his father's death.  Meanwhile the new Police Commissioner Prakash Raj is plotting to create a conflict between them and destroy them altogether.  A gang war erupts because of Muthuvel and the calm Raayan has to take the avatar of a killing machine to safeguard his family.   Does he succeed or not and what are the betrayals and challenges he faces is what the rest of the screenplay of Raayan is all about.

Dhanush has once again delivered a solid performance in the multidimensional character, initially showing a calm nature, doting on his sister and being strict with his brothers.  It is in the interval he takes the mass avatar and the theater erupts with applause on his terrific transformation.  In the entire second half Dhanush rules as the unstoppable force destroying everyone who threatens his family.  He is especially astounding in the action sequences with his agility and style. 

Dhanush also deserves praise for giving equal importance not only to his character but to all the characters in the film. Sandeep Kishan is the one who dominates in the first half by being the bad apple in the family and his romance portions with Aparna Balamurali are fun to watch.   Dushara Vijayan gives a terrific performance of the meek sister who transforms into a tigress when her elder brother is in danger.  Kalidas Jayaram as the confused younger brother is apt while Selvaraghavan comes throughout the film as the good samaritan who helps the family.  SJ Suriya, in a subtle avatar is still menacing with his subdued villainy.  He also provides the laughs when his wife (Varalaxmi Sarathkumar) catches him red handed with his second wife.  The first confrontation between Dhanush and SJ. Suryah is a treat to watch while their climax fight is riveting.  Aparna Balamurali as Sundeep's love interest has also made her presence felt. Veteran Prakash Raj shines in the role of the cop with his own agenda.

The biggest plus of Raayan is the manner in which Dhanush has mixed emotions and family bonding in the violent backdrop.  Interest is sustained right from the start to finish with brilliant writing.   Dhanush the dialogue writer peaks when he asks Saravanan if he would have spared him in the same situation.  Even though Dhanush speaks very little his actions and persona speak loud from start to finish.

On the downside the character twists of Sundeep and Kalidas is not so convincing.  There is also several logical errors including Dhanush not knowing about his brother's profession and the biggest gangs not knowing about Dhanush's whereabouts that too when is near fatally wounded.  The pacing is slow which might be a problem for a section of the viewers.

AR Rahman's background music and songs are the biggest strength of the film.  If  ""Oh Raaya" sends Dhanush fans whistle the "Adangaatha Asuran" in the climax drives them to a frenzy.  To top it all 'Usure Nee Thane' is enough to underline the brothers and sister bonding to the maximum.  Om Prakash's cinematography captures the dark side of the underworld with his reddish lighting.  G.K. Prasanna has done an excellent job.  Sun Pictures has produced the film with a high budget.   Dhanush in his second film as director has won big in the way he handled the emotions with sensitivity and at the same time not compromising on the violence that is needed for the story.   As an actor he has joined the rare list of Tamil stars whose milestone 50th films have received both critical praise and box office success. 

Verdict : Go for this violent gangster saga which is well crafted by Dhanush