Rani

Raani is an absolute waste of both money and time. The movie lacks any proper flow, making it feel disjointed and difficult to follow. Instead of presenting a well-structured or compelling story, it seems more like an attempt to cover up the real murder of Richard. The weak narrative and poor execution make it frustrating to watch, and it completely fails to engage the audience. The pacing is off, the screenplay is messy, and there's no real depth to the storytelling. It neither delivers justice to the truth nor provides any entertainment value. If you're looking for a well-made movie with a gripping plot, this is definitely not it. A complete disappointment from start to finish, making you regret the time and money spent on it.

A bold, emotionally charged film with brilliant performances and a story that matters. Definitely one of the best films of 2025 so far!

Rani (2025) is a powerful social drama that delivers a gripping story of resilience and justice, masterfully directed by Nizamudeen. Keerthy Suresh shines in a career-best performance as a woman challenging corruption and societal oppression. The film's stunning cinematography, compelling soundtrack, and authentic storytelling make it both emotionally impactful and thought-provoking. While a few scenes could be tighter, the overall message of empowerment and strength resonates deeply. Rani is a must-watch for anyone seeking meaningful cinema with outstanding performances and a lasting impact.

A deeply introspective and unconventional film, Rani offers a poignant exploration of grief, identity, and the societal expectations placed on women, particularly mothers. Swarna Mallawarachchi delivers a gripping performance, embodying a character rarely seen in Sri Lankan cinema-one that challenges traditional notions of maternal sacrifice and morality. The film's atmospheric storytelling, strong casting, and evocative music contribute to its emotional depth, though it occasionally stumbles with pacing and underdeveloped character arcs. Despite these minor shortcomings, Rani remains a compelling and thought-provoking watch, standing apart from mainstream Sri Lankan cinema with its bold narrative choices and psychological depth. Ultimately, Rani is a great reflection of the psychological dilemma Dr. Manorani Saravanamuttu is struggling with after the sudden death of her son.

Swarna Mallawarachchi delivers a tremendous performance as Dr. Manorani Saravanamuttu, truly bringing the character to life. It was a delight to watch her evolution after the tragic loss of her son. The supporting cast also did an excellent job, with Ranasinghe Premadasa's portrayal being especially uncanny.

However, if you're unfamiliar with the historical and political landscape of that era, some characters and scenes might not fully resonate. While the story itself is understandable, the deeper significance of certain events may be lost without prior knowledge of their real-life political impact.

I did feel that some scenes were unnecessarily drawn out, and I wished for more focus on the characters' lives during that time. If you plan on watching, I highly recommend reading up on the R. Premadasa era beforehand to get a full understanding of why those characters are important and why they were included in the movie.

That said, I'm really glad to see a Sinhala movie of this caliber. Our theater was houseful even on the fourth day, which speaks to its impact. Hopefully, Sri Lankan cinema continues to produce such high-quality films-our history has plenty of powerful real-life stories to tell!

* movie reveals Richard De Zoysa was gay * Googles Richard De Zoysa - educated at St. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia Bro, we're never beating them allegations lol

On a more serious note however, Rani is a movie that was sufficient enough to satisfy, but not to impress. And I suppose I did go in hoping to be impressed, based on everything I've heard about it. But I wouldn't necessarily hold it against the movie as I would myself for my lack of historical context as to the political reality of the time, which is so readily apparent throughout the movie to be all the difference in how likely you are to judge its effectiveness.