Rakhta Charitra

Vengeance is back on Indian screen with a baggage of excessive violence. After making one of the worst film of his career, Ramgopal Verma is back with a big bang. He returned to his fort of crime, violence, power, politics and thrill with the original real life story of Andhra criminal cum politician Paritala Ravi. This is his striking and desperate attempt with a punch with all his capable might and madness which either make you hate or just praise him for his daring effort showing you never before unthinkable violence and bloodshed on Indian screen. Though in showing reality of dirty nexus between crime, politics and shifting volatile power and portraying some of his character too diabolic, he crossed the limit of Indian audience and orthodox censor board but while doing it in his limitless frenzy he made another 'original' and 'cult' film for his fans.

This is the only Indian commercial film shot and made with a length of more than five hours and the reason enough why it has to be released in two parts. The first installment begins with impressive shifting of power that gave birth to revenge and bloodshed with mind-blowing treatment, brilliant ensemble cast and striking performances all with what one can expect from RGV's diabolic dark mind. The film is saving grace and praiseworthy comeback not only for RGV but also for Vivek Oberoi and he's the extension of fire what we witnessed in his debut 'Company' with the same mentor. Apart of him, the film has fine ensemble and supporting presence of many RGV loyal cast with certain new entries. The prominent among them is Shatrughan Sinha, who has short but impressive presence with his mustache less face as popular film star cum politician Shivaji with dialogues and attitude that suits his aura; this time his 'Khamosh!' is replaced with 'Topic is over'. Abhimanyu Singh who blew our minds in his short but terrific presence as Ransa in 'Gulaal' has performed one of the most heinous and violent villain you have ever seen on Indian screen as Bukka. It's in portraying him as 'Rakshas', RGV showed certain objectionable violence crossing all possible barriers. But the intensity of Abhimanyu Singh's act is visible in some of the striking scenes with his bloodthirsty rage in expression and pervert body language. Watch the scene where he continuously slapping the lady cop repeating 'Touch nahi karna' or another where he's showing his temper when his brother comes to meet him in prison. Without a doubt he's the villain of the year.

Technically film is almost flawless and has gripping editing with few avoidable distractions and a song. Cinematography, background score and production deserved clapping. The only complain is too dark portrayal of characters shedding their part of violence on screen. It would have been better if Ramu had explored multiple dimensions of their charcterization like 'Satya'. He ended the film on interesting turn with showing you rushes of his second part releasing 19th on next month with the entry of South Indian superstar Suriya to give Vivek enough fire. I'm desperately waiting to see the second part and I'm sure that Ramu won't fall short of my expectations in making this epic bloodbath of his career.

The film is strictly no, no to family audience and achche ghar ki bahu-betiyan. It's all loaded for RGV fans who're as mad enough as him. Watch it at your own risk, it's quite hard to digest for all.

Ratings-8/10

PS- "I am like a hardcore porn DVD. You might hate it, love it, look down upon it or get disgusted by it but if it is in the room you can't resist watching it." - RGV's interesting comment on his blog.

The movie was an interesting watch. The first time ever, I came to know about we having this movie on earth was at 1.30 pm last Thursday, the day on which it was getting released here at Dubai. Without doubt & without wasting any further time I bought two tickets for the 8.00 pm show, with an expectation of starting our weekend on a good note. Was I disappointed? Far from it. I was thrilled to see an original, strong, inspiring, thought provoking movie, which connected with me immensely.

There are many positives about this movie which far outweighs negatives if any. The movie has got strong characters. The hero is a hero in true sense: He has character (going to the girl's college and bringing her home as his life partner without wasting any time), fearlessness (choosing revenge as his personal duty), belief (declaring and deciding to kill enemies one by one instead of all at once) to name a few.

For those who opine that the movie is too violent: After watching the movie, I done my research on the central characters in real life. The reality it seems was no less violent than what is shown in the movie. The movie is a masterpiece. But I won't be too pleased if other movie makes imitate to make such movies lest it can have a negative influence on the immature. A must watch if you are a strong man at heart.

Before starting about RGV and all the hype he does. Primary factor to be discussed here is the Story of the movie. As everybody knows Raktacharitra is a make of popular rivalry between Paritala Ravindra and MaddelaCheruvu Suryanarayana, most of us in Andhrapradesh knows the facts of the story. But the unknown facts hidden are always hidden under the darkest corner of the history. And to find them all in a movie is greater experience. The movie provides wonderful and powerful story which Indian audience are missing since years. As the title shows it, the soul of the story is revenge, power and politics; And all the three factors not in tuxedo style, but on pure Indian grounds. All the three factors played significant role to make the story powerful.

But, the movie, play and storytelling could be better. The movie opens with a murder scene in daylight; Which introduces us with the emotion and heat of the story world. When story slowly unfolds a stretch of scenes are merely visual and audible, No scene development is done; which resulted in no emotion and banal storytelling and a feeling of watching Discovery Documentary show. Adding to the fuel, RGV's Voice- over is a partial disaster but he was able to carry the emotion of the scene and intention of the story in his voice. The scope of the first half is huge. A director can ask for no more. There is lot of politics going around in the first half which would've resulted in an epic drama if scenes are well planned. Unfortunately, no ideas in Storytelling and screenplay were used and all drama was wasted. Maybe the director doesn't wanted the screenplay to dominate the story? Wat soever, It could've been an epic.

After the first episode, The big time drama starts and audience lost themselves in to the dramatic world of the story. Politics, Power, Revenge and Powerful Characters are the life of this movie. Every scene is linked, has value and content. Raktacharitra is gore story and demands gore scenes. You cannot see a Gandhi with a missile and Adolf Hitler preaching Peace. This movie is presented as it is chosen by Story and the story is chosen by reality.

Other Factors

RGV could've concentrated on the dubbing artists which brought previous movie experiences and confused audience unknowingly.

Screenplay and scene development cud be better.

The idea of voice-over is good to make the lengthy story short and a direct interaction of story teller to the audience.

One song is an abuse to the movie.

We need more movies with content. Thanks to RGV

RGV has done it again and it is a complete Varma's movie. It is no less than a movie that remains forever. Story narration by RGV in Telugu is apt for the genre of the movie that he selected. Story goes as it is supposed to go with no flaw in any corner of the movie. Varma did a great job in selecting appropriate characters for the roles. Vivek was stunning in the role as Paritala Ravi. Portrayal of characters with no compromise is what every director has to learn from RGV. Am eagerly waiting for its sequel to release which is going to hit screens on 19th Nov. There would not be any look back in going to movie on first day even for its sequel (Rakta Charitra 2).

1. what can u say when u make a movie on Rayalaseema... the real life is gorier than reel life.. at this place..

2. voice over... disaster.

3. BUKKA REDDY... name fantastic...character amazing... acting... deadly..

4. death of BUKKA in the movie... too funny and feeble...actually.. considering the man was so deadly in real and reel life....some electrician killing BUKKA AKA OBUL is a joke... should have had VIVEK trying his best to kill him.... huge mistake...

5. SHIVAJI... too sensitive a topic to even touch.. this is NTR we are talking about...

6. NAGAMANI's REDDY's right hand... DURGA... future RAMU product in the making... is superb... should have had a deadlier death than was portrayed...

7. even in the Hindi version...they should had some TELUGU phrases.. to make it sound more real... missed the ANDHRA accent all together...

8. verdict: 1000 times better than the **SHIT** BOLLYWOOD makes about BALTIS and tears and BAILAS...

cheers,

DOWN_TO_PLANET