Raanjhanaa Review

I read a review of the movie somewhere and I don't agree with it. Hence I thought I would write some thoughts on this.

Firstly I think the movie was ok, and the director can choose to potray the story in whatever manner he feels. I don't think that just because it has some regressive parts, the entire film must be derided. It was a watcheable movie and the hero did die in the end - so I don't agree that he "won" and the movie is against women totally.

About the story itself. It did have flaws. But it was not deeply flawed. Dhanush did not seem like a stalker, because stalkers are usually scary and women don't smile at them, or hug them and kiss them when they slash their hands. I do agree that it was wrong to show Dhanush feeling very happy when this happens because it was made to look like it was justified to slash your hands and the girl would hug/ kiss you. That was wrong I think because firstly, this would not happen and secondly it lets people think they can do the same and the result will be positive.

Sonams character is not built properly. It is difficult to believe that this was such a traumatic incident and when she returns after several years she does not recognize Dhanush at all. And even when she does she is all friendly with him.

Dhanush saying that Abhay is a hindu is shown as if he did a really bad thing. But was it really? - was not the girl taking advantage of him? - if she was totally of right character and she always wanted him to be just a friend, why can't she tell Dhanush right in the beginning that Abhay is a hindu but he will act like a muslim to get married? - and when Dhanush finds this out, his reaction is kind of justified I think.

It does not make sense a smart guy like Abhay would come to Banaras acting as if he is a muslim. That is a weak point in the story.

I agree that the girls character totally uses Dhanush to get things done and dumps him, and expects him to behave like everything is ok and they are just friends. This happens a lot in India. I think this is realistic. And her character is more flawed and also discriminates based on color and region I think. Yes she is educated but just because she is does not mean that Dhanush's character is dirt. Some dialogues bear this out.

Abhay's character dies because of the girls stupidity in thinking she can hoodwink everybody.

I do agree that in the second half, even though she is exasperated, Dhanush still sticks around. This can drive anyone crazy especially when they loved someone else, and he is slowly taking his place, when they just want to be left alone. So, in the end she kills him off and confesses.

The "stalker" does die in the end, and she is left alone to grieve by herself. So I am not sure what exactly makes the movie bad or regressive in the end. Somethings don't make sense, a few things are regressive - but I think the movie is realistic and people are flawed - showing the flaws in the movie is not wrong - but showing wrong behavior as right is not correct.

I think the director should have retained the Tanu and Manu music director for this movie as well. He just sold out by using ARR whose music just seems to become more and more western everyday and right now is just boring and old.

The movie can be watched once. But it is tiring at times, and it shows too many things in a single movie.