From the opening credits to the climax Ramaleela was a political drama through and through. Sachi and Arun Gopy did a great job of setting the stage and introducing the characters. Each character with their own agenda, ideals and backstory in a political backdrop effortlessly pulled me into the story and kept me invested. Seeing Dileep in a serious role was refreshing and the performance of veterans Siddique and Vijayaragavan added significant depth to the characters.
The dark underbelly of the political world was portrayed brilliantly and I liked how Arun Gopy showed the ideological differences of two major parties including their flaws. It was a fest of rivalry, power plays and master strokes. They kept increasing the stakes up until the inciting event near the interval, by this time I was thoroughly engaged.
By the second half the story takes a turn towards an investigative thriller. However, saying that the investigation part was lacking would be an understatement. Somewhere along the way the thrill was lost too. The police DYSP, instead of trying to solve the case was watching the show like a housewife. I mean come on Mr. Devassy, who in the right mind would allow the accused to solve his own case?. I get that the writer was trying to show how the media influences the public and thereby has a hold in the political arena, but everything felt so obvious and forced, it was borderline annoying. The climax which was supposed to be a head turning twist did not pack that much of a punch. People would have seen that coming a mile away.
Ironically, the MC who is supposed to be the good guy employs media manipulation to facilitate his own needs. Isn't there any hope for people wishing for honest politicians?.
After all is said and done, the movie did keep me entertained through the run time.
