Raavanan

Raavanan

    Raavanan tries to relive the epic Ramayana, it is a good watch with a prerequisite of knowing atleast the short story version of the epic. An able metaphor is to compare the differences between the history textbooks of India and Pakistan, saying the same tale differently. The movie's script varies greatly with the epic's script which involves clear demarking of good and evil. The focus on the movie is to create the character Raavanan and justify the broken reverance against Ram from Sita.

    For me these two are the eyes of the film and everything else are fillers in the movie, you just have to ignore the props around these two characters. When I talk about character portrayal, Maniratnam has given the character a complex blend. The character has severe mood swings but thinks deep, thats strange !! he is supposed to be the perfect gentleman but also one who enjoys doing all the deadly sins.

    Choosing not to kill Sita is a pivotal point in the movie, with that – Raavan has to play host, be decent and also eat the thoughts of keeping Sita with her. Raavan does not like Sita rather he adores her for the character she shows. As time progresses he explains his feelings towards her and I dare say that he even impresses her. First by justifying his stance against Ram and second by simply being the person he is.

    Sita understands that her relationship with Ram will never be the same again . She closes the door on Ram and boldly comes back to see Raavan. This is to be seen as a soul filling moment for Raavan. I dont know how their relationship would have been consequentially but can't help to get a feeling that Sita craves to be with Raavan (sexual or not). Got a feeling of Kaadhal Konden where Sonia Agarwal can't let go of Dhanush how so ever bad the world seees him.

Finally the one line version of character portrayal

Ram: Believes in glory and sancticity. Troubled by perverse thoughts, considers Sita to be his property and not as a person.

Sita: Believes in strength of mind and considers Ram as God and everything that is right. For a person of character and spirit, when her character is questioned she just feels deeply instigated.

Raavan: Free spirited, angry and a genuine person. In touch with the various personalities of himself which he might have mustered by meeting different people in his troubled life.