One can't tell it for sure whether it is the same film which inspired both the makers of the recent Telugu film 'Vaaradhi' and this one, 'Rakshasudu'. 'Vaaradhi' and 'Rakshasudu' both weave a love story and a revenge story around a similar element. While the former was made on a shoe-string budget, the latter is made on a much bigger canvas, starring as it does no less a star than Suriya.
Venkat Prabhu resorts to Kollywood-esque narration and he indulges it quite indulgently to begin with. Suriya is your typical imposter-swindler designed to appeal to the mass audience, complete with two extra 's' to his name. Masss is all gung-ho pulling the wool over the eyes of criminals. He is so complete a Tamil hero that he falls in love with a classy lass in the same song meant to introduce his character. A road accident leaves him with a surreal world where unreal persons have a deal to strike with him. Unlike in 'Vaaradhi', the creative swindler turns the situation in his favour and gets some things done from the unreal persons. While making the most commercial out of the most surreal, Shiva, who looks like Masss himself, enters the scene with his own agenda.
The rest of the film is all about why Shiva and Masss were destined to meet and work together.
For all the horror-comedy genre that the film belongs to, 'Rakshasudu' is essentially a revenge-action film true to the formula. The very element that would seem novel for those who did not watch 'Vaaradhi' or some random Korean flick that inspired it, turns out to be a damp squib because the element in no way strengthens the story. In retrospect, the audience doesn't get satisfaction from the element that was used as a base for horror-comedy, whatever that means.
While the element gives an opportunity for the director to weave two or three good comedy scenes (with a hero like Suriya in tandem), the melodrama in the second half weaved around those characters wouldn't have been what it is but for Yuvan Shankar Raja's background song. So, sans profound dialogues or intelligent screenplay, there is not much going for it.
From the time Shiva's story begins, it is easy to make out that the film will take a revenge plot path. While this one is unsettling for some time, the later portions don't come with extraordinary ideas. Whatever A-rated stuff that is there is limited to the visuals and Suriya's studied portrayal of the character of Shiva. As Shiva, he oozes style and intensity with ease.
The element of Masss' conflict with Shiva, who has no ulterior motive, and Masss' eventual wailing when Shiva goes missing, are elements that Venkat Prabhu deploys to elevate the screenplay.
Lines like "Choostunte meeru union form chese la unnare..' and the spirits indulging in mild squabbles are a treat to watch.
Premgi Amaren gets to play a full-fledged character and delivers some laughs, but suffice it to say that he is not as saleable as a Vivek or Santhanam in the Telugu States.
Samuthirakni as a dark character makes an impact; he is surely an under-rated actor, at least in this part of the South. Parthiban's characterization is distinct and the same is well-used to add a layer to the story.
Praneetha and Nayanatara are largely there without getting a good share of the pie. It's Suriya's one-man show in two avatars. Suriya shows verve in one of the roles while the other is a beaten path.
Yuvan Shankar Raja's BGM proves to be a great asset. With one song conceptualized well (the song where Suriya jives with spirits), the style quotient is there too. RD Rajsekhar's cinematography is good.
Verdict: A one-man show by Suriya in two avatars, this one is a drag. You feel cheated because it is essentially a run-of-the-mill revenge story with an element from a Korean film thrown in.
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