Images from Raavan & Raavanan (updated)
thanks to Kassam for the latest shots..
thanks to Pradip for merging the images..
thanks to Kassam..
thanks to Tyler
- Reblog
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
SATYAMSHOT 
April 17, 2010 at 9:16 AM
Awesome.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 9:22 AM
Cool.
I wonder why only Sivan is listed for cinematography. We had read Manikanandan had shot at least half of the film.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 9:28 AM
Sivan might have redone more than we thought..
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 9:28 AM
It was also made clear at some point (though not elaborated on too much) that Sivan re-shot even the Manikandan portions.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 9:29 AM
The delays are always frustrating for a Rathnam film but ultimately with this kind of teaser and poster it all seems worth it.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 9:42 AM
Brilliant poster!
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Love the simplicity yet intent of the poster. I really would like to know Sivan’s take on Abhishek development as an actor now since he turned down the chance of offereing him the role for Asoka.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 11:57 AM
Abhishek is remarkable in terms of being that rare star who even when he was struggling refused some rather interesting projects. Because he felt he wasn’t ready for them at that stage in his career. This suggests a certain discipline. I actually don’t necessarily disagree with him. Most famously he refused Company. Then he wasn’t convinced about RDB. Now the latter seems to be a bone-headed decision (he refused both Aamir’s and later Siddharth’s role!) but nonetheless even post-Aks Mehra still had enough prestige. There was no reason to refuse this given some of the other stuff he was doing. Over the last couple of years he’s again refused a few very high profile projects that most of his peers if any wouldn’t have. But after 2005 many of these decisions are still not as bold as before he got his success. Getting back to Asoka I’m not a great fan of the film though it has its moments, principally cinematographic ones. I think the compromise Sivan had to make between his instincts and at the same time doing something minimally commercial with SRK had an unfortunate effect on the film. Which is a pity. Because this subject deserved a very good film. I love the whole Asoka story/legend specially with respect to Kalinga and its aftermath. Bollywood just doesn’t think in truly grand terms. Even Gowariker attempted JA, yes, but satisfied himself with simply making a bourgeois romance out of it. A lot more could have been done with that very subject.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 4:14 PM
Agree with your points on Asoka and the compromise ftom Sivan the first half hr and last half hr were what I expected from the whole film but the middle seemed to have been directed by any average Bwood director. I do have a problem with Abhishek over the films he turned down for the films he accepted despite his argument he wasn’t ready to take them on because in that sense he wasn’t ready for Lallan either as it was a tougher role to play to those he turned down. The good thing about him playing Lallan is the confidence it instilled in him to deliver on tough roles rather than playing safe which is what I felt he was trying to do in the early stage of his career. Plus the argument that he couldn’t get RDB and how Mehra would make it work was just a bad excuse.
My biggest problem probably lies with the fact that if he had accepted those films most of the silly arguments that are brought up about his talent and success would have been invalid. Then again life is full of if’s and but’s and he seems to be correcting his past mistakes by snapping up the challenges being thrown his way and thank God for that.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 10:24 AM
thats a pretty cool poster!! very different nd un-bollywoodish!! want 2 see more..bring it on!!
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 10:58 AM
Official web site – http://www.raavan-thefilm.com/
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 11:36 AM
the Tamil promotion will clearly begin later. Nothing at all on the site but the teaser (which was good to watch in better quality).
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 12:20 PM
After reading the Director’s note. I predict there will be some controversy. There are already comments being made on Twitter.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 12:26 PM
The sentiment is in many ways not dissimilar to the lines from the Ramlila song in Swades (“Dekh taj (?) ke paap Raavan, Ram tere man mein hai”)…
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Very true.
Again, while it sounds like a very promising and potentially very satisfying film, commercial success cannot be taken for granted. It certainly will be very strong down South and in Bombay. Am not sure if it will have enough to pull in audiences in those recalcitrant territories up North.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 12:30 PM
Love that black and white forest backdrop on the website: reminiscent of Thalapathi’s opening and, more generally, of Rathnam’s Kurosawa antecedents…
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 12:31 PM
I think there will be some controversy. There always seems to be controversy with almost any movie in India. So there will be some controversy about the plot of Raavan. However I don’t think it will be too harmful to the movie or its chances of being successful at the box office in India or abroad.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 12:28 PM
Brilliant poster! Makes one even more curious about Raavan as a movie. I found the director’s note on the official Raavan site to be very insightful. Raavan seems like it be a quite a special movie.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 12:29 PM
“Most famously he refused Company. Then he wasn’t convinced about RDB. Now the latter seems to be a bone-headed decision (he refused both Aamir’s and later Siddharth’s role!) “.Agree!
also , he apparently refused lagaan (of all films).Then ended up doing utter crap like mumbai se aaya mera dost with lakhiya.
Although, these “mistakes” become clear only on retrospect, I think NOTHING can explain this except fooloshness- any whoch way one looks at it-this becomes even moe obvious when one looks at theother stuff that he was doing/being offered at that time- it is not that he left rdb/lagaan for somthing like guru or ravana- he just wasnt in the game- io think when he entered te scene was more naive and raw about bollywood street-smartness surprisibly ( NOT short of talent)..
I am more impressed by the raavan teaser than the image above…
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 12:38 PM
Back to the director’s note on Raavan. I feel there is a Raavan and a Ram inside every human being. There is a hero and villain to various degrees inside everyone. There is good and bad inside everyone. These are facts of human nature. It will be interesting to see Rathnam weave this tale in the movie.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 12:42 PM
“There is good and bad inside everyone. These are facts of human nature.”-That was precisely the central theme of aks-a bit flawed but exceptional effort…
Dont think mani will restrict hmself to just this brief- he seems to be havng higher ambition here….
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 1:29 PM
Of course it wont be the only theme in Raavan. But humans having both Ram and Raaan in their natures will be one of important themes for the movie. Was just talking about the last few sentences that Mani had written for the director’s note about Ravaan.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 1:09 PM
JOKER
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 2:18 PM
Re: JOKER
That,your real name??
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 1:41 PM
why so much focus on abhishek alone
i know he is in title role but there are other stars
i wanna see how govinda looks
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 2:03 PM
I’m not sure where the “director’s note” is. Can anyone please point me to it?
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 2:10 PM
The web site is hinky so not everyone is seeing the notes.
Here – http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/6495/manir.jpg
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 2:17 PM
thanks, I hadn’t seen this.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 2:34 PM
Thanks so much, Tyler. I found the note rather banal though (except the fragments that touch upon the “bond” and the “tension” between the captor and the captive; “Asokavanam” is perhaps a better title to this film).
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 3:49 PM
Agreed. I found that banal.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 4:05 PM
Also I’m quite convinced that the film is going to be primarily about the bond/tension between the two. Mani is of course considered (to the extent that it’s already clichéd, but I agree with it to some degree) more adept at dealing with “individual” relationships than sociopolitical ones.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 4:35 PM
Yep, that makes perfect sense.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 4:10 PM
Given that some of Ratnam’s most potent dramatic moments have emerged from an element of duality (iruvar of course but the trope appears all over the place in Dalapathi, AN, Dil Se, KM, etc) the idea of the “tension between the two” being of primary interest not only makes sense but affirms that this is going to be a special role for Vikram/Prithviraj as well.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 5:20 PM
I’m giving Mani the benefit of the doubt, but must say that — unless this is really inconsequential a role — I am hardly enthused about Prithviraj…
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 6:40 PM
Same here. I can’t imagine why Mani would choose Prithvi for this.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 4:18 PM
I meant Raavan(an) and Sita (“the Captor and the Captive” as the note puts it) though. Your point about the element of duality could still hold good though to the same extent as in, say, Dil Se. But I doubt (esp. after this teaser and the director’s note) if the character of Ram(an) is key to the film (though the presence of his figure is bound to be, through Sita’s eyes).
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 4:55 PM
Yep, that makes perfect sense.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 2:21 PM
the second poster is great too..
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 2:28 PM
I don’t think the 2nd poster is an official poster. The info on the bottom is different (Saroj Khan, V. Manikandan) and it doesn’t have the official logos like the first one has.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 2:48 PM
though Abhishek has himself posted the link on his twitter.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 2:49 PM
could be an older agreed upon design..
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 1:51 PM
the other poster is now on the website so it’s definitely on offical poster.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 2:38 PM
The first teaser and poster of Raavan have left me a little underwhelmed….From the first look I get a sense that Raavan is Jokerlite more than Lallanlite: larger than life, loud/flashy in the positive sense, and crucially operating in a comedic vein.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 3:23 PM
that’s what i get from trailer
specailly how he dleivers that dass sarr walle line has heath ledger’s Joker act all over it
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 3:23 PM
and even the poster is sismilar to Joker’s headshot poster from TDK
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 3:35 PM
actually the first poster is more reminiscent of Bala’s world (am thinking of some of the Pithamagan posters as well as the DVD cover) than anything else IMO. Will be especially striking to see the Vikram posters…
Which of these posters, were you thinking of?
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 3:47 PM
Yes, agreed. I was wondering if I was the only one who was drawing some sort of link to Bala’s universe as well (besides the Vishal Bhardwaj linkage). I’m being vague, of course, but I’m wondering if Mani has drawn richly from Vishal Bhardwaj and some of Bala here.
Mani has of course expressed his admiration for Bala’s films more than once. And with Vikram as the lead here, I guess it is likely to have some Bala vibes (though not of Pithamagan, even if the visual of a possessed Vikram might evoke that film).
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 2:50 PM
Looks good…I like the first poster more. Music in first teaser hopefully means this will be another good rahman album on the way.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 2:58 PM
Oh, that (a good Rahman album) was always guaranteed!
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 3:34 PM
The background music has me more excited than anything else: I was always sure of a good album, but I also wanted some energy, and an Indianized album, and if the teaser is anything to go by, we’re on course to get that…
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 6:50 PM
just based on the director’s note Mani should stick to making movies. Rahman has never gone wrong in a Mani album. Also, in tamil land, it is quite common among the dravidian political parties where Raavan being hailed and Ram characterized as an Aryan King.
LikeLike
April 17, 2010 at 7:41 PM
many of u don’t know but before raavan mani ratnam wanted to make simple urban love story after guru starring abjr and aish
kind of like alay puthay
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 5:26 AM
“Also, in tamil land, it is quite common among the dravidian political parties where Raavan being hailed and Ram characterized as an Aryan King.”Sachita-Interesting observation-Can u please elaborate for our enlightenment…
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 9:33 AM
Official spokesperson for the film is on twitter and posted this
(I’m disappointed if Mani has cut this stuff from film and CD)
Asha Bhonsle has sung a song called ‘Madhuban Chor’ with Chitra Sri(nivasan. It is upto Mani sir to decide on the album. He has the last word less than 5 seconds ago via web
The recently released #Raavan soundtrack is incomplete. Sukhwinder Singh sang three songs for the film. ‘Thok De Killi’ is one of them.
http://twitter.com/RaavanTheFilm
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 9:54 AM
very disappointing indeed…
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Going by this info then there is or was 10 songs on the Raavan soundtrack instead of only 7 songs. Rathnam could have removed those songs due to keeping the movie’s length down and not wanting to clutter up the narrative too much. Or that Asha Bhonsle song and the other 2 songs could still feature in Raavan. Not every song featured in a movie is featured on the movie’s official soundtrack.
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 10:56 AM
well he cut some crucial scenes in Guru. Hope he doesnt do the same here!
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 11:08 AM
I’m not as bothered about the scenes. Much as those Guru scenes were fine and could have been in the film (and perhaps there should have been a director’s cut but of course India doesn’t do this!) it is only a true director who can be that ruthless when it comes to his edits. I am however always very bothered when a good Rahman number is excised and is not even available on the CD. Again in some sense one respects the fact that Rathnam doesn’t want anything on the album that doesn’t belong to the film but one is still sorry to lose out on something important and I think an Asha number would surely qualify. With Guru of course there were a couple that were added later to the score and hence were not part of the CD. Got these elsewhere eventually but I wish there had been a complete CD. But Rathnam’s films tend to evolve quite a bit when he shoots, let alone when he edits and hence these things are likely to happen. Still I am disappointed with news of this Asha number. The Sukhwinder thing not as much. If the Asha song or anything else features in the BGM that would bring us back to the Guru sort of situation.
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 11:39 AM
Let’s just think positive Kassam. 🙂
Satyam, could be right about the Asha Bhosle song now being apart of the BGM. Hopefully when the music is released we will get answers and a better sense of things regarding the music and the movie in general.
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 11:57 AM
we have seen the track list though and unless it’s incomplete the song isn’t part of the soundtrack.
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 12:24 PM
Yes, that is true Satyam. We have seen the track list given from Bollywood Hungama. I was merely saying when the music is released we will get a better sense of all of the music since all of the songs will be released to be heard by the public. Also perhaps when the music is released we will get some answers to why certain songs were included on the soundtrack and not others. Also after hearing the music we will get a better sense of the movie. But I really was just telling Kassam to be positive about Raavan as a movie in general. I think Kassam real fears are that Rathnam has cut some crucial scenes from the movie. I think her fears are more on that level. So was just telling her to be positive. 🙂 Thus far the little promotions we’ve gotten regarding Raavan has been topnotch, but when more promotions are lobbed out we will get a better handle on Raavan.
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 3:17 PM
the scenes I’m not worried about.. one could take as many scenes from Rathnam as possible (!) but then it’s a director’s prerogative to shape the film according to his vision for narrative or pacing reasons.
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 4:22 PM
I’m in agreement. 🙂
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 1:55 PM
Mani gifts Govinda a song in Raavana
June 25th, 2009 – 2:26 am ICT by Sampurn Wire –
For over two decades now, Govinda had made for himself quiet a bad reputation in industry circles of being a late latif. He was known to always come late on his film sets citing the silliest of excuses. He had changed this habit while shooting for David Dhawan’s Partner but apparently, post the film’s success he came back to his old whimsical ways. But now it is learnt that for the shooting of his Mani Ratnam directed Raavana, Govinda has been not only coming to the film’s sets on time but is also being the first artist to reach the location.
A source reveals, “During the recently concluded schedule in Ooty (which didn’t have Abhishek Bachchan n Aish) Govinda used to be ready to go to the location as early as half past five in the morning. Apparently, Govinda’s such professionalism left Mani Ratnam so much impressed that he has now decided to add a special song which will be shot on him alone. Mani had earlier been cautioned by many industry insiders about Govinda’s fussy habits during shoots and that it would be a hara-kiri taking him on. But Govinda not only was always on time but also showed lot of willingness and gave suitable inputs to make his character in the film better.
The film is supposedly a modern day take of Ramayana with Abhishek playing the title role. Govinda’s role in the film is the character based on Hanuman in the sense that he aids Vikram (who plays Aishwarya’s hubby in the film) to reach Abhishek.
-Sampurn Media
More at : Mani gifts Govinda a song in Raavana http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/mani-gifts-govinda-a-song-in-raavana_100209149.html#ixzz0lTXpzvDd
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 3:16 PM
It’s good that Govinda has been given a song. However I hope that this last minute decision does not imply that it’s been left out of the CD.
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 3:18 PM
Actually I’d love to see Abhishek and Govinda have some screen time together..
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 3:23 PM
govinda from what i heard has quite good role in the movie
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 2:27 PM
i have a problem with the release date – 18th June? well, the vacations will be over by then…..so SUPERHIT might just be a HIT….but HIT for sure….
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 2:29 PM
abhi better sign a 10 films deal with mani…as only mani gets the best out of him….otherwise he goes on doing craps like dostana, Doom barabar Doom (;-)) and what not….
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 3:24 PM
I also disagree that Mani gets the best out of him. The better way to phrase it is to say that Mani gives him extraordinary parts. So for example I consider BM to be one his fine performances but it can never be as ‘important’ as Yuva or Guru. Much as Bachchan could be phenomenal doing a number of Mukherjee films but these couldn’t be as seminal as Deewar or Trishul or whatever. Of course Rathnam could get more out of him because of who Rathnam is as a director. But then good directors can often get the best out of most actors.
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 2:31 PM
…..and ya, not to forget those dumbest and outrageously irritating ads of airtel….this is my PO…..abhi is better doing guru, ravan, refugee,shararat…
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 3:22 PM
I see where you’re coming from but the metrosexual appeal in his instance has been at least as strong as it is in dramatic parts. It works differently with different demographics. In my experience BM for example is one his most important parts when it comes to a certain female demographic. I would even go so far as to say that it is more important than Guru for this group. Dostana plays to the same demographic. Of course BM had more to it than that but I’m just referring to a ‘first read’ response. But yeah his physicality lends itself more easily to the brooding bits even if I think he certainly has comic talents to be very convincing doing this sort of thing. So again I am not a fan of Dostana but I couldn’t really hold anything against his performance here.
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 3:25 PM
satyam abjr off screen personality seems decent guy but he seems fixated with western world way too much
for example on his twitter he talks about hollywood more than bollywood
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 4:15 PM
You must not be following Abhishek’s correct twitter account. Abhishek does not talk more about Hollywood than Bollywood. Abhishek loves western music(particularly rap) and posts about it. But he does not talk about Hollywood or their cinema more than Bollywood.
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 2:00 AM
As much i dislike Abhi on screen and their fans’ attemps to hail him as a great actor and superstar,i am absolutely a fan of Abhi’s off screen persona…He is cool,casual,non controversial,decent and entertaining off screen…Also i find him good at heart…
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 2:05 AM
ya, BM was good too – problem with abhi is that barring Guru, whenever i remember his films – it is abhi I remember (just like SRK) and not the character – quite unlike aamir and BIG B….if he can work on his characters more….he will do good for himself…and he needs to get out from KJO and YRF camps…NOW
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 4:45 PM
i m following his correct account
he talked about zombieland and hangover and most of the common indians who live in india don’t know if those movies exists
there is nothing wrong with him liking zombiland but seems he contantly follow what type of movies hollywood produces
not to mention he called james cameron manmohan desi of hollywood 🙂
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 4:53 PM
He mentions Indian movies too – MNIK and others when he sends his good wishes to the stars.
And sometimes he responds to Rajeev or Anuparma Chopra in regards to a Hollywood movie but that’s all I recall.
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 5:05 PM
Exactly mate! Looks we both are following Abhishek’s correct Twitter account. LOL
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 5:40 PM
Not to mention that he is one of the very very few contemporary Hindi film actors who seems to have spent at least some time watching Tamil films, including those starring Vikram. In an interview I remember him saying Rohan Sippy had introduced him to Tamil film music. Hardly the Sanjay Gupta kinda guy who seems to spend his time watching Hollywood DVDs only…
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 5:04 PM
I’m positive that Abhishek’s followers and most people in India all know about the movie the Hangover as it did very well in India as it did everywhere else. Abhishek is or was supposed to make the Hindi version of the Hangover. So Abhishek should only discuss Hindi movies, music, or what people in India understand? Abhishek spent his formative years in boarding school and university in Europe and the USA. Abhishek liking certain types of western music, movies, books, or anything else does not negate from him being a proud Indian. That is a daft thing to suggest or put out there. That is very uneducated and not realistic.
But why use this against Abhishek? I suppose you should call out almost every Indian actor and celeb on Twitter because they all highly praised James Cameron and Avatar. They all also talk about western movies , music, books, poets, and celebs. I don’t see anyone calling them out or holding it against them or questioning their heritage.
Also Abhishek making a couple of references to a couple of Hollywood movies during his entire time on Twitter proves my point that he does NOT talk more about Hollywood cinema than Bollywood cinema. He has given props to Hindi movies and also given many congrats to his friends(colleagues) on their movies on his account. But the truth is that Abhishek hardly talks about cinema of any kind on his Twitter account. Abhishek replies to his many followers on Twitter the majority of time he is on the site.
LikeLike
April 18, 2010 at 7:11 PM
i do like he is interacting with his fans and actually Reply them back
unlike certain stars on twitter who just update tehir status and never reply back
i have asked deepike padoukone on a date but she didn’t reply back to my tweet yet 🙂
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 2:17 AM
i think this may be mani ratnam’s most commercial movie yet and may have some “masala” moments in the movie
that’s what is get from trailer
people may think Guru was his most commerilized work but i found guru to be quite documenterish and slow paced
He tries to go mainstream with Yuva but got too much Political in theme which turnedd off many people
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 9:23 AM
Oh wow, this is the best one yet! Quite stunning. Thanks Kassam..
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 9:39 AM
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 10:06 AM
That’s a terrific parallel to draw.
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Also, I’m beginning to wonder if they’re going for ten different close-shot posters here!
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 10:35 AM
that would be an idea!
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 12:52 PM
Indeed a great parallel….this latest poster is the most impressive. Just brilliant!
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 9:30 AM
Kassam:
cool poster.
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 10:05 AM
yes, both have been superb so far. Where oh where are the ashokavanm posters?!
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 10:34 AM
read somewhere that even the Tamil version might now be ‘Raavan’.
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 10:44 AM
“Raavanan” was what I’d heard.
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 10:48 AM
I would have preferred Asokavanam. Distinct from the Hindi version even if given some of the Southern strains in this regard the title is even more appropriate for the Tamil version than the Hindi one.
Incidentally one of the things that is not getting as much attention is the Telugu version. Vikram will dub for it himself of course being a fluent Telugu speaker and so this makes it a very authentic Telugu release. Not to mention that fact that Vikram’s movies have on occasion grossed more in Telugu than in Tamil.
All in all this set of films is really Rathnam’s greatest attempt in terms of scale.
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 10:55 AM
Yes, it’s being referred to as ‘Raavanan’ for quite some time now (after March, I think). The earlier title was of course ‘Asokavanam.’ Actually, that’s why I was saying after watching the trailer that the earlier one is (I meant, would have been) a better title.
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 9:34 AM
Rangan discusses Raavan poster and other – http://www.desipundit.com/baradwajrangan/
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 9:37 AM
interesting stuff.. thanks..
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 10:58 AM
I also recollect reading that the Tamil version is titled Raavanan. Rathanm could not get proper permissions to use the title Asokavanam for the Tamil version because it was registered with another director. In the Hindi version I think Abhishek’s character is named Beera.
All of the posters are great, but I think the 3rd poster the best! Sort of reminds one of a stealthy panther. This poster has a more direct close up where his gaze is very intense and focused. It has a vast amount of drama, intensity, and tension.
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 3:24 PM
reminded me of this…
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 8:54 PM
don’t see any similarties
but i do see connection with heath ledger’s joker in TDK
infact Joker in TDK brought same question
“that we all are morally corrupt inside no matter how good we try to be outside”
from director’s note of mani ratnam he is bringing same issue whoich was in TDK from joker’s perspective
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 9:00 PM
well Raavan predates the Joker just by a little bit. Much as a South Indian director familiar with Kathakali does not exactly need the Joker to tell him about face painting!
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 12:26 AM
well to me i get the Joker’s vibe from abjr’s perfromance
ofcourse mani ratnam didn’t ask him to watch TDK dvd and copy heath ledger
but from my persepective i see lots of similarties between abajr in raavan and heath in Tdk
again mayb it’s just me but when he says dass sarr walle”
to me it resembled lots “why so serious” even abjr’s voice pitch and mannerism are similar
maybe i m overlooking and comparing the two but those similarties are quite obvious to me
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 12:38 AM
And maybe Heath Ledger was copying Jack Nicholson’s Joker. And maybe Jack copied some previous Joker. There is nothing new under the sun. It has all been done before at some point.
As long as the character works for the movie it is all good.
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 9:00 PM
really?!
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 5:41 PM
talking of abhi’s good films, I enjoyed Shararat as well.. Dunno why that one is so less talked about. pretty entertaining and deserved to be successful
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 5:57 PM
the film was a bit too low key but definitely a decent effort.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 1:16 AM
hey pranay, glad that there is someone who liked shararat….it is one of abhi’s finest perf. – there was nothing wrong with the film except – they didn’t market it at all…..nice movie…
LikeLike
April 19, 2010 at 6:24 PM
Tamils version is titled ravaaananammmuralimanoharerapallisrinivasanradhakrishnan.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 2:28 AM
i assume thok de killi song is picturized oon govinda
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 2:44 AM
i m putting this scene as refernce to what i m trying to say regarding abjr’s character in Raavan
now i don’t know whole myhtology of raavan but common knowldge is that raavan is portrayed as “evil” person
so i don’t know if raavan wanted to bring eveilness in raam or any other character or wnated to show how corrupt morals can be
after reading mani ratnam’s note IMO i won’t be surpised if u find more resemblance of joker in his version of raavan
again i could be wrong but that is my point of view on the movie
ps I m not promoting “hollywood” i m just statsing Characterization of “villian” and where mani ratnam may take “villian” in this movie
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 3:33 AM
Joker… hum… the first synopsis made me think that he would be the good guy seeking revenge for his sister (or something like that). If he’s the bad guy after all, it’s even better ! But then… Aish falling in love with the Joker… what a disturbing idea lol
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 4:28 AM
ideaunique, i managed to watch Shararat as I had won its tickets as a part of a contest.. but didnt want to go as at that time it had received horrible reviews from many critics.. but decided to give it a try.. not bad at all.. i think releasing on the same day as Devdas was a bad decision by the makers
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 4:36 AM
ontopic, I believe the Indian filmmakers, especially in the Hindi film industry, have lately been portraying many of their lead characters having shades of grey or black, without giving any kind of justification for their deeds.. which is much more understandable in the context than lets say a Baazigar, where SRK has a proper justification for throwing an innocent girl off the building or Sanjay Dutt in Khalnayak for killing politicians and innocent victims!
Raavan here is a fine example where Abhi has shades of grey not because there’s a tragic story behind it, but thats just the way he is.. also one of the reasons why it seems highly interesting is its shown through the eyes of the highly evil though seemingly misunderstood villain in Indian mythology
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 7:16 AM
He might do otherwise. I’m not indian and don’t know anything about mythology, but to create a little bit of chemistry in a real life relationship between Abhi and Aish, he should explain why she fall in love with a man this crazy (cf trailers)
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 7:16 AM
He might do otherwise. I’m not indian and don’t know anything about mythology, but to create a little bit of chemistry in a real life relationship between Abhi and Aish, he should explain why she fall in love with a man this crazy (cf trailers) and reveal more about him imo…
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 7:40 AM
i have this gut feeling (guys, don’t doubt my gut feelings now after ghajini and 3i 😉 ) that Raavan will be THE turning point in Abhi’s career just like Zanjeer was in BIG B’s career……i m dead serious this time….
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 8:09 AM
perhaps your predictions work only with Aamir!
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 8:20 AM
InInterestingly the Tamil version also has lyrics by Gulzar which means they’ve translated from the Hindi. But surprised about this.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 8:34 AM
The official site now has the Vikram poster. Intense!
http://www.raavan-thefilm.com/tamil.html
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 8:54 AM
Site is getting stuck after 74% loading.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 10:12 AM
Nice! Little glimpse of Vikram is as expected. Hope the teaser comes up soon too!
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 11:20 AM
looks fantastic, the only problem is that there’s a glitch currently. I don’t get a larger image when I click on either the poster or the wallpaper.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 12:35 PM
“Interestingly the Tamil version also has lyrics by Gulzar which means they’ve translated from the Hindi. But surprised about this.”
I think it must have been a mistake. Now it is corrected to Vairamuthu.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 12:57 PM
thanks Zero.. I was puzzled about this earlier.. another thing that has been corrected is the cinematographer’s name on the other common poster.. Abhishek’s had Manikandan on it while Vikram’s has Sivan.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 8:27 AM
Tamil track list:
1. Veera Veera by A R Rahman, Kailash Kher;
2. Kata Kata by Ila Arun, Malgudi Subha, Sonu Niigaam;
3. Kaadhale by Shreya Ghoshal;
4. Madhuvanam by Asha Bhonsle, Chitra Sivaraman
5. Moozhgi Vidava by Karthik.
6. Aaruyir Nenje by Mahalaxmi Iyer, Rashid Ali
7. Chakaa Chakka by Naresh Iyer!
this has the Asha song! Well I was getting both anyway. Read on the Raavan forum that the Tamil soundtrack will release in May.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 8:31 AM
though the snippets Kassam posted for the Hindi version in the other thread had six songs. So perhaps the Asha song is there after all. Hard to believe the Tamil would have seven songs and the Hindi six.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 9:16 AM
AR Rahman’s official site has the track listing
http://www.arrahman.com/v2/discography/films-hindi-raavan.html
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 11:08 AM
ok so the Tamil does have an additional song.. I think the asha song might well be a background one and it was probably added late so they didn’t have a chance to include it on the Hindi CD. A pity either way though I am pleased that the Tamil CD has it.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Low quality 30-sec clips here: http://www.mediafire.com/?dlmd5hyzzdz
Ranjha Ranjha sounds very promising.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 12:35 PM
It’s of course very hard (and mildly irresponsible) to make predictions based off these clips, but I suspect from what I’m hearing that I will prefer the Tamil soundtrack here.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 1:24 PM
funny you should say that.. I too have this odd sense!
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 8:09 AM
the moment there’s more percussion in an album Tamil alliteration is just a more natural fit. Even otherwise (and obviously these are just poor quality snippets) there are strains here on some of the numbers that seem to connect this with an older Tamil phase of Rahman’s. The Tamil audio also has of course the additional Asha song.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 2:47 PM
Just merely going by the 30 seconds of each song premiered on that Raavan site. I cotton to the soundtrack. It has an earthy, rustic, and energetic feel on many of the songs. Will be able to gauge more about the soundtrack when we are able to hear all of the songs in full with topnotch quality. As of right now my clear favourites are: Beera Beera, Behene De, Kata Kata, and Thok De Killi Ki. All of these songs are catchy, harmonious, and energetic. The slow tempo songs Ranjha Ranjha and Khilli Re are harmonious and sweet as well. Thok De Killi Ki sounds like a song used in the battle or fight scenes in the movie. Will be able in to judge in full later.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 11:00 AM
Oh, didn’t know that the link to these clips is already posted in some other thread.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 11:54 AM
Satyam,
Lets have prediction thread for Raavan, Housefull and Kites.
And may be let me know how to post a new topic?
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 12:18 PM
And a prediction thread for MNIK’s Bahrain week 10 numbers please. They might be better than India’s 4th week numbers.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 12:26 PM
will do Rajen.. I’ve also sent you instructions on how to add posts.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 1:57 PM
I better start learning Tamil..as Vikram looks very intense and it would be serious fun to compare two actors in same role.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 2:04 PM
in the meantime you should watch some subtitled DVDs. How are you doing with Iruvar? I should have warned you. We have some Rathnam hounds on the forum (especially on Iruvar) who will chase people to the gates of hell and beyond once people like yourself express the slightest interest in his films!
On Vikram though check out Saamy. The DVD is subtitled and you’ll adore this one.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 2:06 PM
I have been checking that Tamil mirror site all morning to get a bigger Vikram poster. No luck so far. It’s been very annoying so far on the Tamil front.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 5:57 PM
I haven’t seen a close up of the Vikram poster but he looks to be pointing a sword of some sort. I love that.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 6:04 PM
But I’m disappointed there’s been no Aishwarya poster.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 3:38 PM
Roja (obviously dubbed Hindi version & coincidently first movie of A.R. Rehman)) was the first Ratnam’s movie, I stumbled upon by accident on T.V and I was completely blown away by that. Until then he was an alien and after that he became & still is Guru, master & Mani sir in my book. So there is no fear of anyone can even try to dissuade me or chase me away from any Mani Ratnam’s creation. Yes, I’ve been guilty of not coming out of language comfort zone but then the loss is entirely mine and will compensate by visiting Iruvar, Saamy and Ravanan (in cinema hall) very soon.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 5:17 PM
My first mani ratnam movie was Anjali
since i myself child when i watched that i really liked the movie
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 5:20 PM
I just captured a Image from Tamil mirror but don’t know how to paste it here..
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 5:53 PM
can you email it at satyamkh@yahoo.com?
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 6:14 PM
It’s done. Did U get it?
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 6:22 PM
will check it right now.. thanks.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 6:25 PM
the thing is that’s just the website page.. they have glitch there and I can’t enlarge the pictures… hopefully they’ll fix it. thanks anyway.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 6:43 PM
I know but thought U could replace the first image on this page which shows just the title. Sent web page image has Vikram & the title. It took a while in Photoshop though.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 10:41 PM
yes I’ll probably do this..
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 2:33 PM
Vkram’s poster is mad cool! It’s very good. I really cotton to it. If I have to choose I still think Abhishek’s 2nd Raavan poster is the best out of all of the posters presented thus far for the Hindi and Tamil version. I think Abhishek’s is more intense, dark, powerful, and striking simply because we get to see all of Abhishek’s angular face. And more importantly Abhishek’s panther-like gaze makes more of an impact. It looks like he is staring directly into the audience’s eyes. Abhishek’s eyes and his gaze gives the poster the edge!
As far as comparisons well this always happens with Abhishek in even in his movies that are not bilinguals. Thus far Abhishek has managed to more than hold his own to act vastly well up against some very talented actors in his past movies. I think it will be no different this time with Raavan. Besides Abhishek and Vikram are different types of actors who will obviously show their different approaches to the same character in the two movies. It will be a treat for the audience. Its all copesetic in my view!
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 5:45 PM
of course the funny thing here is that Abhishek has held his own in every single film he’s done with his father, at times he’s been better also. Don’t think anyone else provides tougher competition!
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 6:26 PM
http://www.raavan-thefilm.com/tamil
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 5:27 PM
sypnosis from IMDB
A bandit leader kidnaps the wife of the policeman who killed his sister, but later falls in love with her.
seems like a revenge story
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 9:06 PM
vikram has already beaten abhishek hands down.
sorry guys but i think i will head out to Raavanan first than Raavan
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 11:21 PM
although abjr will be good but vikram being the better portrayel since he is more expreinced actor than abhishek
same thing hapenned when madhavan brought more intensity in southern version of yuva
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 12:16 AM
That’s a joke. Madhavan was perfectly fine in AE but he simply didn’t touch Abhishek’s performance. I say this as a great fan of Madhavan’s work.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 10:49 PM
Pradip, I just realized what could be done.. I’ve taken the smaller image and enlarged it.. it will have to do till they fix the glitch.. at least I have Vikram and Abhishek juxtaposed.. thanks so much..
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 11:20 PM
Vikaram’s posters looks better than abjr’s posters
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 11:57 PM
The Vikram poster is outstanding too and a larger image should make it clearer. Rathnam seems to be ‘respecting’ the actor’s Bala genealogy here (as Qalandar suggested in a different context). Vikram seems even more ‘tribal’ than Abhishek, perhaps even more ‘other’, an even greater creature of the ‘netherworld’. It’s a very striking image. But I’d go with the ‘dark’ Abhishek counterpart as the best poster so far. But the images do suggest different things. With Abhishek a certain angularity is stressed and the shot suggests a Greek warrior quality despite the dark hues. Rathnam is shrewdly respecting two genealogies here — the Bachchanesque for Abhishek and the Bala one for Vikram. I suspect the performances will reflect the tone of these posters.
LikeLike
April 20, 2010 at 11:59 PM
but irrespective of what one prefers here (and my own views in this regard are hardly permanent) these are the best posters I’ve seen in an Indian film since just about forever!
This was always looking like the film of the year. But based on whatever we’ve been treated to so far something very special this way comes..
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 7:18 AM
seeing a proper image of the Vikram poster, it really is extraordinary..
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 12:00 AM
Not to take away anything from Vikram but is it true that he is just 5’6″?
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 12:15 AM
no he’s definitely much taller than that..
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 12:11 AM
I noticed that Mani has listed Shaad Ali as executive producer which is a generous gesture considering all the support Shaad has provided to the production of these movies. Kudos to Mani sir.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 12:15 AM
agreed..
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 12:20 AM
LMAO is shaad alis still getting work after fiasco of JBJ:)
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 12:19 AM
i saw govinda’ look in the movie he looks different
quite a departure from his comeic side and he even looks in good shape consedring hanuman was a fighter and govinda does seem like person u don’t wanna mess with tha way he is holding his laathi
he seems to be playing a tribal warrior type role
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:29 PM
Aadmi. where did you see govinda’s look…i am really keen to see how he acts and looks in this movie….they should not keep him out of publicity as he is still more popular than Abhishek in certain parts of india….
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 2:41 AM
i like the music they put in offical webiste
it is quite haunting and had other worldly feel to it
and it also sounds like music from those samurai films from china
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 2:54 AM
The posters here are impressive…It looks different and creates a sense of anticipation…
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 3:56 AM
lol after watrching vikram’s poster from raavanan
abhishek ke poster pheeke lagne lgaie boss 🙂
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 10:01 AM
The obstacle with this dual campaign, if I were to take a guess from these initial fragments, is going to be the same obstacle we face with a dual release, and that’s the sense of a “first come, first served” sort of thing where since the Hindi version is what many of us will experience first, (on every level) the Tamil version loses some of the “newness” or surprise and “sense of release” that might have otherwise been the case. So right off the bat with the two posters it’s difficult to say which actually makes more of an impression (I think Vikram and Abhishek project different emotions) because the Hindi one will, somewhat unfairly, have “first dibs” on our emotional reflex. This is not to say that both movies can’t be enjoyed separately (not to mention coming in second has its own set of advantages for the Tamil version) it’s just that the way things are laid out here, there’s certainly an unfortunate deference on Madras Talkies’ part (so far) for the Hindi version.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 10:09 AM
I guess this is first time this sort of thing happening for any movie. Is raavan India’s first bilingual movie releasing simultaneously?
As far as posters are concerned, i don’t see any one superior over other. Waiting for Tamil trailer anyways.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Well, Ratnam did it with Yuva/Ayitha Ezhuthu…
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 11:01 AM
you are quite right on this score. Having said that the ‘deference’ is perhaps logical in a sense because Rathnam’s Tamil version in these bilinguals often functions as a ‘supplement’ to the Hindi one. This does not of course mean that he compromises the Tamil venture in any sense but just that he initially conceives of a subject in Hindi (with Abhishek) and then decides to go (or not) bilingual. This was less true for Yuva probably but in both Guru and Raavan(an) the traffic has flowed from Hindi to Tamil. But you are also right in that Rathnam gives the Hindi version more ‘space’. So if he had released both teasers at the same time a primarily Tamil audience would have been cued in to the Tamil version and vice versa for a primarily Hindi audience. But in the age of ‘online’ and cable TV the first set of images is available to every audience. In an odd way Vikram doing both Ram and Raavan also confirms this impression. Because if a character is to be completely identified with the Raavan character he ought not be doing Ram at the very same moment. It’s a great double for Vikram and surely will be fascinating to behold, it also increases the ambiguity inherent in the Ram/Raavan double in these alternative traditions, so all in all a big deal for Vikram and for anyone interested in this subject but because the audience lives less in such a gray zone in these matters Abhishek becomes Raavan in an unambiguous sense. There is of course the other factor here that Rathnam/Abhishek has a cache that Rathnam/Vikram does not. Vikram coming together with Rathnam is surely important but Vikram already has a larger than life image that has been exploited from Bala to Hari. There cannot be that same sense of ‘becoming’ to the project. The genuinely ‘new’ is expected with Rathnam/Abhishek the way it perhaps cannot be with Rathnam/Vikram. But again by insisting on Hindi Rathnam perhaps downgrades his status as a Tamil director for a contemporary project. Not because anyone respects him less or even anticipates his projects less but the suspicion arises quite naturally that first honors are with the Hindi version. But I do agree that irrespective of all this Rathnam could help matters by being more evenhanded with the publicity of each film. I personally think it should be done as a double everywhere with both Vikram and Abhishek showing up for both films in Bombay and Chennai. Vikram of course has a reason to be there for the Hindi anyway but Abhishek should also show up. Don’t think it will happen this way but if it did Rathnam could preserve the unity of the project.
On a related note the same ‘becoming’ factor works for Abhishek and in fact Rathnam as well. When he did Yuva this was a first for Abhishek for all the obvious reasons. When Guru came along this was the next big leap forward for a star who’d found success. But given Abhishek’s patchy box office since Raavan once again becomes ‘the film’ for him. It’s hard for stars to keep having these ‘becoming’ moments over and over again but this happens with this ‘team’ in ways that helps both sides. Perhaps not consciously but Abhishek’s trajectory has allowed him to resist the sort of institutionalization that might otherwise have been his lot with a more consistent box office record. So one should always be careful what one wishes for. Abhishek has a fine lineup coming up. Let’s say he got great success here. This would also destroy that ‘becoming’ moment. If a star is seen as being generally titanic in ways not connected with a film or part it becomes very hard for a director to conceive of something to outdo the record. One way to avoid this fate is to mix it up enough so that this sort of strong part is always a less frequent occurrence. Still institutionalization is hard to resist.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Very comprehensive comment here.
Getting back to the two films though, I’d say that one way to avoid shafting the Tamil version here is to perhaps release different “sneak peeks” for both films. If Madras Talkies’ strategy is to do an “A-B, A-B” kind of promotional strategy where the exact teaser, the exact poster (more or less) is released in succession, that’s fine but I think it would be more interesting to see different images, hear different lines, witness different songs with respect to each film/character. I think this sort of strategy is appropriate considering the “chaos” of doing a dual-epic.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 11:19 AM
that’s a great idea too.. at our end I wish the two films were equally accessible in the theater. I might even watch the Tamil one first for that different perspective. But of course it is much easier to watch the Hindi one right away for the usual reasons. The last time around I ended up watching Yuva a couple of times I think before I ventured out for AE. This time I am considering limiting it to one viewing and then making that long trek for Vikram before perhaps getting back to the Hindi. Even then parity is not established. Because the Hindi can be seen multiple times far more easily.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 11:19 AM
Interesting discussion here, although, for a Tamil audience, the first coming together of Vikram and Mani, especially given the well-publicized “false start” of the Aayitha Ezhuthu role that never was, should not be under-estimated. Given the different stages at which Vikram and Abhishek are in their career, and the different stature of the two, I agree with you this cannot be a “becoming” moment of any sort for Vikram, but it is a huge hype-fest for him. Especially given his own long absence from the screen, Raavanan is his most hyped release in half a decade…
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 11:21 AM
Not to mention that much of this deference is at the internet-level: in most of India, Tamil and Hindi does not co-exist in the public space, i.e. the public spaces are mutually exclusive (Bangalore and Chennai are two significant exceptions, since major Hindi films get a large number of theater screens in Chennai these days), and it wouldn’t be far-fetched to believe that in most of TN, the only posters anyone is seeing are the Cheeyan ones…
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 11:23 AM
Yeah, that’s obviously true. I think I’m speaking not only in terms of the promotional media’s accessibility but also for the audiences who in general are plugged into both cultural spheres here, if only with respect to watching movies.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 11:09 AM
and yes I might well have had the opposite impression if I’d seen the Vikram poster first. It’s still a very close call for me. The Abhishek poster possibly still wins over as a work of art. But the Vikram poster is incredibly haunting. Vikram (and this is what Bala understood better than anyone else) though not a ‘performance’ artist is extremely effective at playing ‘mute’ human beings. he can better represent the ‘other’ who simply cannot be ‘accessed’ from this side of rationality, with whom a common language might just not be possible, better than actors who are otherwise superior to him. When you combine it with his remarkable screen presence and sense of gesturality (not necessarily masala in the Bala films) you have a very potent combo. The one problem with Pithamagan in this regard was that Bala did not really give the Vikram character the kind of ‘world’ he deserved. The framework in terms of the technical choices and even the narrative was far more ‘commercial’. And I still regret the fact that Vikram did not do Naan Kadavul because of the falling out. This film really represented the logical culmination of the Bala-Vikram collaboration. Except that Vikram wasn’t in it! But Pithamagan has the best Vikram-Bala moment, the Hamlet like post funeral sequence with Vikram holding Surya’s skull in his hand. Stunning not just for the trope involved here but also because of the brilliant chapter added to all the male friendship films of Indian commercial cinema. This scene cannot be beaten! And yet the Sethu mood is lost elsewhere in the film.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 11:19 AM
“Vikram holding Surya’s skull in his hand. Stunning not just for the trope involved here but also because of the brilliant chapter added to all the male friendship films of Indian commercial cinema. This scene cannot be beaten!”
This is very true. One of the best sequences not only in that film but also within the tradition it emerges from. Imagine if Veeru held Jai’s skull in his hand – although in Pithamagan it’s actually Veeru who dies and a terrifying version of Jai that remains. In some sense Pithamagan is about the perversion or death of this kind of masala, which Surya’s character very obviously represents.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 11:28 AM
wonderful comment here! Specially that last sentence.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 11:11 AM
“I think Vikram and Abhishek project different emotions”
quite right..
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Ultimately casting Vikram in this role works splendidly in the context of what we’re discussing in terms of the sequence of promotional/film viewing. Because by casting someone who (in his industry) is pretty far beyond where Abhishek is with respect to Hindi films (leaving out, if one dare does so, the genealogy) an audience plugged into both pools here retains a very strong sense of anticipation. A lesser star (star not actor) would not have had the same effect and in this sense I completely agree with what Q says about not underestimating what it means to a Tamil audience to have Vikram teaming with Mani for the first time.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 11:46 AM
agreed except that I’d just add a cautionary note to Qalandar’s point.. He mentions Bangalore and Chennai as the overlap points for Hindi and Tamil but of course there’s a massive Telugu/Hindi overlap in Hyderabad. You have three major Southern cities taken care of. Leaving this aside the multiplexes where typically Rathnam finds most favor these days in TN are comprised of the very audience that is very likely to be aware of the Hindi promotions. This isn’t the majority of TN by any means (though even in the smaller markets I suspect some of the Hindi promotion for the film is available on some of the channels.. not that it means much for this audience) and of course here the Vikram casting truly helps Rathnam far more than the other way around. In fairness though there is another perspective on this even with multiplex Tamil audiences. Rathnam hasn’t had a big one in a while there and certainly not with this sort of subject (AP was a light romance). He comes together with Vikram which is of course major. But also for Vikram this is a great shot in the arm. After Anniyan he too has been in a transitional phase of his career in more ways than one. The Rathnam association confirms his overall prestige and in a film where his star genealogy is paid due deference. There is in any case an important off screen narrative even here. Also I suppose that if you are part of an audience that is never going to see the HIndi version the advertising for the same even when you encounter it is not likely to stay in memory for too long.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 11:49 AM
“Leaving this aside the multiplexes where typically Rathnam finds most favor these days in TN are comprised of the very audience that is very likely to be aware of the Hindi promotions.”
That’s true.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 3:41 PM
PS — one other thing that’s great about the bilingual structure is that it will certainly lead to a wider profile for Vikram and his work as far as Hindi-speaking audiences are concerned (his non-Tamil/Telugu fans seem to be increasing exponentially if the reaction to the Raavana first look posters is anything to go by). Even if only a small number of people are able to get subtitled DVDs (bizarrely, the subtitled DVDs are typically made for NRI markets; and the domestic ones aren’t usually subtitled) of other Vikram films, that’s more than would have done so in a non-Raavan world.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 3:58 PM
absolutely.. of course I won’t hold my breath for the subtitled DVD taking off in a big way judging from personal experience!
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 4:10 PM
and for a short duration Vikram will suddenly acquire unexpected fans in certain Hindi quarters where people otherwise couldn’t tell a Tamil film from a Japanese one!
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 4:15 PM
“couldn’t tell a Tamil film from a Japanese one!”
We’re talking Rajni here, right?
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 8:25 PM
ha!
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 11:52 AM
As I keep looking at the Tamil poster I wonder if I now like it more. Vikram’s gaze is just haunting here and really draws you in. This doesn’t necessarily contradict what I said earlier.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 11:58 AM
I think I’ve driven you a step closer to madness, lol.
I think the Vikram poster is more artful and beguiling, luring one in, and obviously keeping more hidden, where the Bachchan version is immediately more striking and overwhelming in terms of the sheer force and directness of the gaze.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 12:02 PM
Indeed! LOL!
Your summary of the posters I think cannot be bettered.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 12:07 PM
One thing I really appreciate with the Vikram poster is the use of the Tamil script for the title graphic. Immediately one gets a sense of the distinction between the two industries these films are aimed at. This isn’t a pejorative in either sense (I do have a fondness for the rooted move that’s common in Tamil film promotions) just something that suggests where we’re at.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 1:26 PM
Must admit something at the outset-
NOT seen any of vikrams works (due to the obvious language barrier) but have always been impressed with his sheer presence in the little i have seen in promos, pics etc.
My 2 cents—posters of vikram> abhishek.
Also scores -appearing more “poised” in the poster which also look more artfully done than the hindi counterparts which seem to have a langda tyagi (sic) hangover- not sure if this is deliberate– anyhow , maybe i am a minority here, but not much of an omkara fan ( or of vishal bhardwaj for that matter!)…
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 1:37 PM
Wish to add something here— abhishek will have it tough here….
There will be a direct comparison here with someone who seems formidable (as a first impression) …
My instinct tells me that he should have performed OUT OF HIS SKIN here to “salvage the situation”.
Also, not very upbeat about the story brief that i have heard of, till now.
Although the promos, pics etc have been exciting.
a)Every bad guy has a good side and vice versa
b) stockholm syndrome
If a and b is indeed the central theme here—feel that-
1) this is too predictable for soemone like mani
2) May not work greatly for the multplex /overseas crowd -who mainlyare out to have a “good laugh”
3)Will surely get into some sort of trouble with some elements on predictable issues like “distorting religious facts and taking liberty”–obviously these things will build up V NEAR/ AT the time of release!
Watch out for this space….
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 2:17 PM
There is no direct comparison Alex. No one watching the Hindi version will care about the tamil version. That’s one thing. In the Hindi version Vikram has the Ram role, not an equal matchup by any means. But overall Abhishek is by far the superior actor. Vikram makes up for this in terms of his star signature but I don’t see a contest in the Hindi version. And in terms of the Tamil one I see two different interpretations. Had Vikram been a fine actor he could have been the outright winner here but I don’t see this. Also Abhishek in the right role (and Rathnam certainly qualifies) can bring the right level of iconic gesturality to his own portrayals. So for example Maddy was very good in AE but seemed poorer to Abhishek precisely because of this distinction. Now one might judge Abhishek’s performance in that film superior anyway. I am not so sure but he was definitely more effective overall.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 2:35 PM
Very well said satyam. I concur.
Also I recollect that the Hindi and Tamil versions of Raavan will have some differences in certain scenes and overall tone.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 2:34 PM
i know i m in a minority here but my favorite one is the yellow one with abhishek. all d other posters r also very impactful nd effective but i think abhishek bachchan’s eyes nd face r conveying so many emotions in dat pic(however one might interpret it)..also..i feel dat d other actor’s poster is quite menacing but he appears a larger than life character whereas..just frm d posters ..abhi’s character looks like a more real guy!!
abhishek’s character looks more grey nd d other guy’s character looks pure evil nd completely black!!
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 2:39 PM
p.s. i think if u see d two posters carefully..abhi’s is less dark nd d other actor’s is completely dark which might be an indication dat i abhi’s character is grey nd d other one is completely black!!
i dont know if i m reading too much into it though!!
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 2:42 PM
No I completely agree. I prefer the haldi shot the most of all the pieces we’ve seen so far. Something genuinely creepy and new with this pose. My sense (especially given he has a white-face shot in the teaser) is that there are going to be more colors to come…perhaps, appropriately, ten.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 2:48 PM
not at all, there is a fair case to be made for the ‘yellow’ poster. I hope we see something similar for Vikram.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 3:02 PM
Random aside: Even on the website, with the yellow opening image one gets to see abhishek’s face in its entirety, moving around; with Vikram it’s the area around his eyes that is shown flickering…and while the Vikram posters use the Tamil script, the Prithvi one uses the Latin script (perhaps they will use this in Kerala too?)
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 2:40 PM
The other facet of this is cultural specificity. So in Yuva you had Calcutta, and in AE you had Madras. With the Raavan/Raavanan duo I’m not sure if Ratnam is going to be clear in terms of geography. It’d be interesting to see if he actually makes an attempt to be overt in this sense or whether this is just going to be “ambiguous hinterlands” of, respectively, the “North” and “South”.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 2:58 PM
nd i agree with you dat with d other poster..there is a very south indian feel 2 it with all d tamil letters nd even d character himself appears more a southie..but with abhishek’s one u get a langda tyagi northern hinterland kinda feel to it!!
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 2:53 PM
Just added a Prithviraj poster right below the Vikram one.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 2:59 PM
Damn. That’s a bit blah. Of course that’s more because Prithvi’s kind of blah.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 4:20 PM
Satyam, where did you get the Prithvi poster from because I could swear that’s a still from another film of his. I think that might be fanmade.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 4:32 PM
Yep. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the case, not least because of the English script. Seems a bit weird for one poster to have English script and the other to stick to Tamil.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 4:41 PM
In fact:
I’m pretty sure the image is from here.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 5:40 PM
makes sense.. I guess the poster is too ‘plain’ given the rest of the advertising on the film. Will remove it. Got it at a Raavan twitter forum.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 5:44 PM
plus this is the only poster that’s not on the website..
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 5:39 PM
you know I had that suspicion myself because of the latin script, I think you’re right.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 3:16 PM
what i get from posters is that abjr’s portrayel will be more larger than life /loud/Jokerish/type chaarcter
and vikarm’s seems more like silent/more haunting/and more dark character
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 3:40 PM
There is no point in comparing Abhishek and Vikram. Tamil audience is different from Hindi.. At the end, they both have to convince majority of their segment.
LikeLike
April 21, 2010 at 3:49 PM
satyam just emailed U 2 Ravan put together..
LikeLike
April 22, 2010 at 3:10 AM
Abhishek a better actor than Vikram – LOL.
Too much fanspeak here.
LikeLike
April 22, 2010 at 11:17 AM
The Abhishek Monster!
LikeLike
April 22, 2010 at 12:00 PM
If the rest of the posters here are anything like the ones we’ve already seen these images might be the best such set for an Indian film (ever!) in the post-movie poster art age.
LikeLike
April 22, 2010 at 8:51 PM
Not related to movie, but about Raavan. It is interesting to know that shobana had given program on MayaRaavna.
http://www.shobana.in/pages/home/maya-ravan-posters.php
Kamal Hasan who attended the program
“I Am A Great Fan Of Raavan,” Kamal Hassan
http://movd.in/videos/25895/I-am-A-great-fan-of-Raavan-Kamal-Hassan.html
LikeLike
April 22, 2010 at 9:57 PM
Will Raavana premiere at IIFA?
LikeLike
April 22, 2010 at 10:08 PM
Sony Music grabs Raavanan audio!
By Moviebuzz | Thursday, 22 April , 2010, 19:35
One of India’s leading music companies Sony Music has grabbed the audio rights of Mani Ratnam’s forthcoming Raavan’s Tamil version Raavanan and its Telugu dubbing Villain for a record price.
Sources close to the development said: “The Tamil Raavanan audio launch will take place a few days after the Hindi Raavan audio which is to be launched on April 24. It will be a red carpet event as Chennai is the home town of Mani sir, ARR and Vikram. All of them will take part in the event, details are being worked out as the launch will happen on or before April 30.”
The music of Raavan is composed by Academy Awards winner AR Rahman. Sony Music had lost out the Hindi audio of the film to T-Series, so they were determined to grab the Tamil and Telugu rights of the film. Remember Sony Music has the best AR Rahman library and is also close to the Oscar winning music director.
Raavanan in Tamil and Telugu has an impressive star cast- Vikram, Aiswarya Rai, Prithviraj, Priyamani, Prabhu, Karthik and others. Mani Ratnam is the biggest brand name in south Indian cinema after Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan. The Mani Ratnam- AR Rahman combo has never failed, and Raavanan is sure to be a chartbuster.
LikeLike
April 22, 2010 at 10:09 PM
too bad.. a delay for the Tamil soundtrack..
LikeLike
April 22, 2010 at 11:14 PM
dude, what’s with that Telugu film title?
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 3:52 AM
Q, it is called Villian in telugu.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:34 AM
Latest Raavanan image:
http://bollybusiness.wordpress.com/2010/04/23/latest-raavan-poster-%e2%80%93-awesome/
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:46 AM
Wow,
Terrific posters..Vikram’s eye express somuch ofintensity….
Abhi look intense too..
Seems to me a bit of “”Omakara”” Hang over here…
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 6:51 AM
This latest ‘Telugu’ image is superb too!
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 6:54 AM
and yeah as Qalandar said the title ‘Villain’ in Telugu seems astonishingly pedestrian!
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 7:05 AM
Faridoon_S: Saw ‘Behne Do’ from Raavan. Very impressed…
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 7:30 AM
Behne do looks to be one of the best tracks on the album. Has a qawwali kind of beat to it.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 7:09 AM
Telugu title is not appealing to me. Villian..? I thought they are projecting Raavan’s character in positive way..
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 7:29 AM
It might be that the Raavan title is under copyright or something. Still Villain sounds like a masala film. I have Ajith associations!
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 7:10 AM
In Hyderabad, mostly people watch Hindi version. Dubbing version is being watched towns.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 9:47 AM
Okay Guys , I am not impressed with the images.
Hope the movie is better than this.
Abhi’s eyes are too clean / white for the intense look.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 9:58 AM
With this new set I definitely find the Vikram poster far superior. Abhishek’s part might be the more manic, crazed type than Vikram’s. Or certainly we haven’t seen such a poster with the latter so far while with Abhishek we’ve seen both kinds. Once again the Lallan ‘energetic’ elements seem more in play for Abhishek while Vikram seems to be following the Bala ‘mute’ trajectory. Of course other posters might debunk my speculation on Vikram.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 10:02 AM
I agree
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Not impressed with new poster, Abhishek is too intense just like Rakshash (demon)
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 10:06 AM
well he’s supposed to be one more or less! It could be that (and as GF pointed out) they’re bringing out different ‘faces’ each time. This might be true for Vikram also eventually since we’ve seen only one Tamil poster of his versus two for Abhishek (the third one is common and identical). In this current set one is a Telugu poster, the other is a Hindi one, similar but might not have meant to be mirror images the way the earlier poster was. But Abhishek definitely seems to have a psychotic edge to his character. as did Lallan. People forget that great bridge sequence at the end of Yuva (among others).
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 10:26 AM
Ash’s poses in both posters, by the way, are striking. And she has appropriately distinctive reactions to both Raavans here.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 10:31 AM
true.. and no one has used Ash better than Rathnam to my mind.. love Vikram’s ‘diffidence’ here.. he often brings this to his romantic moments..
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 10:01 AM
As some one pointed out, looks Raavan’s character is different in Tamil and Hindi versions
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 10:03 AM
the interpretations were always supposed to be different. Partly it’s a question of different stars and their respective styles but also when Rathnam does a bilingual he makes the films more complementary than would otherwise be true for a bilingual. This was true for Yuva/AE. I always tell people that both films should be seen. In this instance there were some minor differences but one major one in the first half where Inba and Michael actually have an encounter (no such scene in Yuva). So Raavan/Raavanan might not be exactly the same.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 10:42 AM
In the new poster Abhishek indeed looks vastly aggressive and maniacal. He looks utterly mad. Its the most aggressive poster thus far. I suppose this poster is displaying another one of the character’s ten faces or personalities. I agree with Satyam’s comments that Abhishek’s Raavan character looks in line with the frenzied-psychopathic nature of Lallan from Yuva. But it looks to be notched up a tad in Raavan just going by this new poster. Abhishek and Vikram are different types of actors. Seeing Abhishek and Vikram’s two different approaches to the role will be vastly interesting and something special for the audience.
I also concur that there will be some minor changes in story and tone with the Hindi and Tamil versions because the movies are catering to different audiences. Have to add that it looks like Aishwarya’s character will indeed be put through her paces after the kidnapping. It is pleasant to see Aishwarya in the new posters. She looks very beautiful even in distress. Can’t wait to see the new advert with Aishwarya.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 10:36 AM
If Abhishek had been presented in the same manner with Ash as Vikram was in the poster it would look like two lovers on the run so I understand why he’s seems a bit manic.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 10:45 AM
That is a good point. I suppose Mani Rathnam and Reliance could be treading more carefully with the Hindi promotions as to not offend the religious sentiments in the Hindi regions of India. I suppose we will see what transpires with the rest of the promotions.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 10:48 AM
ash looks really scared standing next to abhishek’s raavan while standing with vikram’s raavana there is a softness in her expression although the fear is still there!! neways..pretty cool posters..i think both abhi nd vikram are going to bring their different nuances to d character nd both versions look strikingly different actually!!
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Kassam:
This is a pretty awesome one of Abhi
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 11:16 AM
this seems part of a larger poster since it doesn’t have the film title or anything else on it..
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 11:19 AM
Here he looks as if he could be out of Last of the Mohicans! But GF might have been on the money in that there seems to be a different color on Abhishek’s face in most of the images.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 11:30 AM
This is a very good image of Abhishek. This is my second fave pic or poster in regards to Abhishek that has been released.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 11:21 AM
Abhishek looks oddly like Kamal Haasan in this latest image.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 11:45 AM
I see what you mean in terms of a certain ‘war cry’ that Kamal has sometimes had in his later career.
So far if one element comes across in the Abhishek images (haven’t been enough of Vikram yet) it is perhaps a chameleon-like quality. This is a Raavan (perhaps appropriately so) who is Greek warrior, trickster figure, a demon-like creature all at the same time.
There is at any rate a very different sort of expressiveness to this image from what we’ve seen from him in the past.
What keeps annoying me is the Vikram lag. Just release all the damn images and teasers together!
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:00 PM
I think it’s simply because the poster is strongly reminiscent of Abhay/Aalavanthan. At least, that’s the first thing that struck me (just saw it for the first time here).
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:04 PM
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:08 PM
I see the connection with the image GF’s put up but Abhishek looks ‘native-American’.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:12 PM
So true..even that quick shot of Abhishek in “whiteface” in the preview had a Malick/New World feel to it.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 11:29 AM
Preliminary impressions: very strong Afro-Tribal influence. Thok De Killi has some strong anti-establishment lyrics.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 11:38 AM
Aar, you’ve already heard the songs?
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 11:46 AM
he might be referring to the poor quality snippets we heard earlier:
https://satyamshot.wordpress.com/2010/04/20/raavana-trailer/#comment-47855
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 11:49 AM
Actually the music is already online. I downloaded it but plan to buy both dvds as soon as I can.
I like the music.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 11:58 AM
oh really? could you post a link? Thanks.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:01 PM
CDs are also out.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:06 PM
the thok de killi song is on youtube.. see what you mean by the lyrics.. couldn’t follow all of them I must admit!
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:11 PM
Two lines:
1. Sabko bhule aankh dikhaye tanashahi kare daraye
2. Pichde pichde kehte kehte khoob udaaye khilli dilli.
btw, too early perhaps, but Raavan deserves the Maniratnam – A R Rahman tag.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:24 PM
all the other songs are gradually coming up on youtube.. thanks..
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Music is out.
Sorry, I should have mentioned that.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 4:30 PM
Yeah, I couldn’t wait and got it off iTunes. Will get the CD when my store gets it…
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 4:16 PM
I heard this properly.. indeed some very politically charged stuff..
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 4:27 PM
On Thok De Kili lyrics: to add to aarohi’s point, seems to evoke (and invert) the “Dilli Chalo” cry of 1857, itself resurrected by Bose’s INA…
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:00 PM
Satyam, I sent the link to you via email so as to not promote piracy here.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:01 PM
thanks.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:04 PM
Hmm, it bounced back. What is your email address?
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:05 PM
satyamkh@yahoo.com
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Both picture don’t send the same message. Abhi looks agressiv whereas Vikram looks dangerously seductive. And on the second poster, Aish seems strange… almost dead ! Abhi 0 – 1 Vikram on this one lol
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:33 PM
I think this soundtrack is frankly made for a Tamil context. Khilli Re could be straight out of Karuthamma.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:45 PM
The kata kata song and Khilli are definitely reminiscent of an older Rahman ‘Tamil’ phase (think there are Northern contexts to these songs but Rahman’s percussion and the general flow of these songs stamps his signature on it). Beera is the more ‘Northern’ variant though a shorter song. The two love songs here Ranjha and Behne de are more in the middle. Like what I’m hearing so far very much. The instrumentation on Ranjha is wonderful. I think Rahman has kept this more ‘ethnic’ that one might have thought and this I think helps him link up with his own roots in some ways and certainly gives the album a more distinctive sound. The Tamil soundtrack will of course have the Asha song as well. There is a slower number here on the Hindi that I haven’t heard yet. The ‘tribal’ element (I’m not sure if it’s Afro inspired or not) is definitely there but this too has history in Rahman’s oeuvre. Overall an interesting, ‘strange’ album, always the best compliment for Rahman! But these are very preliminary views based on bits.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:48 PM
The opening arrangement over Behene De is superb.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:37 PM
I haven’t heard the music, sorry to hear that it made for a Tamil context.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:39 PM
This isn’t a criticism, I just feel like it’s going to sound better or at least more appropriate with Tamil lyrics attached.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:41 PM
Overall, this isn’t a soundtrack that’s as exciting as I’d wanted. The promotional strategy was right to start with Beera Beera which is really the most arresting and “even” track.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:43 PM
Fair point. Glad that Mani went with Gulzar.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Not sure if any one mentioned that the Telugu version is called Villain.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:47 PM
yeah.. that’s a really poor title.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 1:17 PM
Yeah, it came up earlier, what a poor title that is. (“poor” because it seems to be so untrue to what the film appears to be about.)
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:49 PM
karthik’s review of Raavan soundtrack: http://itwofs.com/milliblog/2010/04/23/music-review-raavan-hindi-a-r-rahman/
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 12:53 PM
thanks.. unlike D6 this will take more time to assimilate but what I like here is that fact that this album seems less of a commercial compromise than Guru (much as I’m fond of that album). D6 is one of Rahman’s two best Hindi works to my mind along with Dil Se. Just a very rich collection of songs. But Raavan has a certain ‘mood’ and though I might not be able to argue it’s better than D6 or comparable to it I do think I’ll possibly like it more. Having said that I don’t see a problem with this album connecting instantly, just that the stranger elements will perhaps not be commented on.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 1:02 PM
Not a runaway blockbuster for sure but it has plenty of interesting things going for it. I would like to check out the Tamil version now especially Kata Kata which has orchestration straight out of a hinterland wedding band in the concluding bits.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 1:25 PM
Didn’t recognize this myself but it’s not surprising in the sense that Rahman has always been the most “unified” of the national composers. The most national of music composers in some ways, integrating regional beats pretty fluidly .
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 1:21 PM
Can’t wait for the album; don’t think it’s on iTunes yet, and the music stores here in NY don’t get stuff as early as they should.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 11:59 PM
Out on iTunes: http://dealnay.com/585003/raavan-various-artists.html
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 10:27 AM
couldn’t wait.. got it here after you pointed it out.. will get the original CD soon too. But I really like this soundtrack. Like GF I think that the percussion numbers will certainly be better on the Tamil. Of course there’s that additional Asha song to look forward to.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 1:02 PM
i liked the first set of posters much better then this.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 1:26 PM
I didn’t much care for both of the new Abhishek images. The posters with Ash are interesting, they seem reminiscent (in terms of how Ash is depicted) of a horror movie.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 1:36 PM
I am thinking the comparison with Tamil ones affects the Hindi version.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:09 PM
don’t think one affects the other Ted.. it’s just about the choices Rahman makes.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:18 PM
Abhi-Ash’s image and Abhishek’s lates one are for CD cover
few more:
http://img72.imageshack.us/i/coverinlay02.jpg/
http://img227.imageshack.us/i/coverbacku.jpg/
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:25 PM
Inside CD pictures
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:55 PM
GREAT images! Abhishek has blue on his face in one of them. GF’s hunch was right. The kata kata shot is fantastic.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:31 PM
Some great stills from the CD
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:56 PM
thanks, Tyler posted these too. You guys are indispensable for this blog!
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:59 PM
both love songs, Behne de and Ranjha, are on Abhi-Ash. I thought one of these would be on Vikram. This might be a rather bold film. I just love the Ranjha song incidentally.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:06 PM
Thanks Kassam and Tyler.
Great photos.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 12:22 AM
Not sure if Behne Do is a love song.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:42 PM
Awesome images!
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:44 PM
Yes, great stuff here, thanks Tyler and Kassam.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:46 PM
That Thok De Killi image is stunning.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:48 PM
Glad to also see Vikram in the Ram avatar, if only a small glimpse.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:56 PM
Especially with his facial hair — I was a bit miffed that Kanthasaamy had him clean shaven…
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:59 PM
But he wasn’t clean shaven in Kanthsaamy. He sported the 2 to 3 days beard in it, didn’t he? (And I liked it.)
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:03 PM
I think he had a slight stubble at some points but in the Mexican portions I believe it was more than this if I’m not mistaken. But he also had more of a clean look in places, barring the moustache.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:06 PM
Satyam, I don’t think he had a moustache. He had a slight stubble, a bit like SRK from CDI.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:11 PM
I stand corrected then.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:03 PM
And note that he *is* clean shaven here. (It’s just the sideburns and the moustache, which is just par for the course at least for a Tamil hero.)
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:05 PM
true.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:57 PM
his smaller shot with Ash in the boat is beautiful. These are all great images in most cases. My favorite is the kata one. Have a weakness for this sort of thing. I think that’s what you were referring to here.. or was it really Killi?
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:09 PM
It was Thok De Killi. That image is absolutely outstanding, and it keeps up the “New World” sensibility.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:10 PM
are you referring to the boat one?
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:12 PM
No that’s Killi Re. I’m talking about this monster:
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:14 PM
ah.. two songs have the word killi…
I think I didn’t click on this earlier. This might possibly be the best Abhishek image so far..
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:15 PM
Completely agree. This is the one to trump the haldi one.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:57 PM
Awesome images. I just have to buy the CD tomorrow. The one problem I have with this kind of promotion is that it starts too early! I think I spontaneously belong to the Tamil film world where things start popping up just before the time of the film’s release. All this is too much too early for me. 🙂
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 2:59 PM
lol – the Tamil promotions start early May so you have more to look forward to than just these images.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:15 PM
Yeah, but there’s an (probably unwritten) rule that song clips should be soon only on or after the film’s release. We (I mean, Tamils) believe in showing snatches of things right when it’s ready to explode.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:16 PM
Uh, I meant “shown” (not “soon”). 🙂
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:18 PM
yes but in the meantime the suspense makes fans like myself explode!
With just one teaser and these images it already seems like a very long wait to June 18.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:22 PM
Exactly my point, Satyam. Isn’t all this too early for a film coming out on June 18?!
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:24 PM
not so for a Tamil audience but Hindi multiplex audiences take longer to absorb things. LOL! Of course this Abhishek face-painting will give the aunties some nightmares!
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:29 PM
Vikram will explode the box office with this one, at least with the opening. Kandasamy itself going just by the Sify numbers was well ahead of all other hits last year in terms of week 1 collections. They termed it a hit eventually, behindwoods much more anti-Vikram gave it above average. But the numbers in any case were well ahead of the competition.
But consider Ash’s year. She has this in Tamil and Robot with Rajni. In Hindi she has Raavan again and Guzaarish with hrtihik. Of course she’s had in the last few years so much success in other ways and in all kinds of projects. when the Bombay media says Kareena or Katrina are ahead (depending on the season) one feels pity for them!
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:43 PM
Not since Thalapathi has Mani done a Tamil film with such an established star (Mohanlal was not a Tamil force when Iruvar released; Arvind Swamy never did anything of note except for the Rathnam films; Alai Payuthey was Maddy’s first tamil film — maybe Kannathil Muthamittal comes closest because that came towards the end of Madhavan’s most successful phase; but otherwise, this is it (with Aayitha Ezhuthu, Maddy was somewhat “post-peak” and Surya somewhat “pre-peak”, although both were of course household names)…
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:11 PM
I not sure of Tyler posted these 2. Love these stills
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:13 PM
he didn’t.
Abhishek seems to have the ultimate ‘face painting’ part. LOL!
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:25 PM
Yeah, and I’m doubly certain that the body language he has during the “Dus sarwaale” line in the teaser is a Kathakali-like move. He seems to be a “stage” Raavan brought to screen.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:26 PM
great point there.. had the same sense looking at all these colorful images.. Incidentally wasn’t Santosh falling a somewhat similar aesthetic for one of his recent films? The one on transvestites? I forget the title, haven’t seen the film either, just some of the images, I could be wrong.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:32 PM
made my favorite Henry IV point here once again recently:
I now realize what an extraordinary oversight it was on my part not to consider that Rathnam would in fact be the ideal director for this.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:22 PM
Wow, these are both special.
Initially, when I had seen only one or two images, I was skeptical of some of the “leering” Abhishek images. But now having seen multiple photographs, this seems to be Mani’s way of creating a mythic signature, the face-paint pointing to an aesthetic that is somewhat different from “the mainstream’s”, and not completely assimilable. Note how unadorned Ash seems in comparison (that this only adds to her beauty is another thing entirely).
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:25 PM
this looks to be a truly grand part..
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 3:52 PM
Blown away by abhishek ravan poster (top most)
For me-easily abhisheks career best poster till not (for me).
Now we have a real match between abhi-vikram.
I am not conversant with vikrams work in the south. But even wihtout that, he is v impressive- screen presence, poise and star charisma.
But the topmost abhishek poster gives me hope that he will make a match of it.
I know hindi audiences will not care about how vikram has done in the tamil version, but guys like us will definitely keep a keen eye….
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:10 PM
https://satyamshot.wordpress.com/2010/04/23/images-from-raavan/#comment-48123
https://satyamshot.wordpress.com/2010/04/23/images-from-raavan/#comment-48144
this one might be the best:
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:09 PM
To me, music is not upto Rahmans’. I like JA, Dilse and even Delhi 6 more than these songs.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:11 PM
Never much cared for JA. Dil Se and D6 are I think his very best in Hindi.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:27 PM
I’ll guarantee this will grow on you.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:41 PM
90% of the time I find ARR’s albums underwhelming initially — but interesting enough to return to, to be drawn back to, until the music settles in, and begins to take on greater significance. It doesn’t happen for some of the instantly likeable, catchy stuff, but often that stuff doesn’t stand the test of time (I mean I still like those songs, but they just don’t mean as much to me). Took me several several listens before I started liking D-6 (by the time i had written the review I had probably heard it half a dozen times); even longer for Alai Payuthey or Aayitha Ezhuthu/Yuva, or even some non-ARR albums like Anwar and Dev D (by contrast, I was able to relate to Guru earlier, but 3 years later, I don’t listen to the music all that much, certainly not compared to the other albums I have mentioned; Jodha Akbar never “took off”, my brain tells me it has some very fine work, but it is a bit staid and lacking in personality). With Iruvar it took me a few years quite frankly — I went through a period of never listening to it except for Narumugaiye, and was wondrously surprised when I re-discovered the entire album after a 2-year gap…[Mangal Pandey is an exception: I have pretty much consistently been on board for this album for half a decade now. That has happened with several songs, but it’s rarer for an entire album].
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:44 PM
I have heard the songs a few times at this point. Love the two romantic tracks as well as Kata and Thok de killi. The last is madly energetic. Like Beera a little less and the slower killi re is the least of the songs (though some great orchestration here at points for what is presumably an Ash dance). Ranjha might be my favorite at the moment.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:44 PM
Iruvar is possibly Rahman’s most ‘exquisite’ work.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:47 PM
Not to mention Ratnam’s.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:58 PM
Iruvar is the work where Rathnam goes most in an ‘auteurist’ direction. Never to be matched since and certainly not before.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:12 PM
LOL, already 335 comments in this thread, will have to start a new one soon.
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:21 PM
Rightly these should be called artistic images & not photos. It has a feel of paintings but surely its great photoshop work. Instead of reveling anything it surely deepens the mystery and that is great. Still there is no glimpse of Hanuman!
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:31 PM
agree satyam-easily the best pic abhishek has EVER been seen in plus the top most (for me)
-now the stakes are rising for abhishek.
The vibes i am getting here–
this is possibly a game-changing film for bollywood esp regarding the status of bachchans in the new bollywood milieu.
I mean, Amitabhs postion and legacy in bollywood is assured and even that of asihwarya, imo. But, all said, abhishek is still on a sticky wicket esp because of the standards he is compared with.
For abhishek- If not this, what?
The last time i felt something like this in terms of abhishek was guru and d6- he redeemed himself in guru but not exactly in d6.
a v imp film for him- not only in the box-offcie sense- will determine his future standing.
plus- the littelt i have seen of ash (even in the posters) looks outstanding. she seems to be acting OUT OF HER SKIN……
I hope that the huge expectations incited by these posters may turn out to be a problem for the film…
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:33 PM
Rathnam! Is there anyone (contemporary commercial director) who can be spoken of in the same breath?!
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:51 PM
from the images, Abhishek does seem in the “forest spirit” mould, more sprite/Lord of his Realm than tyrant (which is why “villain” is such, such a poor title for the Telugu version. If Raavan was taken they should just have gone with a Telugu variant on Ashokavanam, or done the hard work and come up with a Telugu word)…
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:35 PM
I want to see Govinda……i have seen an interview of Drivedi wherein he says that Govinda is absolutely fantastic in the movie….
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:54 PM
You posted this today (as in the UK it is still so) and already you are on 300 plus responses? You should make a living out of film criticism, you know;)
I wish the movie all the success in the world. After all, it’s got the Bachchans as well as with Sivan being a childhood friend of mine. Cannot wait!
Thanks for your poster links. That is the only reason I am up to date with these!
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:56 PM
“..with Sivan being a childhood friend of mine..”
Wow!
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 4:56 PM
actually I’ve been updating the post. It’s a few days old..
LikeLike
April 23, 2010 at 9:59 PM
This Ash image I think is from the CD.. it’s beautiful..
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 12:39 AM
Music review:
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/musicreview/14148/index.html
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 1:02 AM
Am waiting to watch this film–seems to be really SOMETHING!
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 1:18 AM
from picturess abhishek seems to be hamming it up big time
vikarm’s pictures as raavan looks more intense and focused
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 5:12 AM
agree….but ash looks more intense than both abhi and vik…..i think she will walk away with most accolades….
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 1:21 AM
i thinks this movie can both ways
either this movie will be soo good that it will be CLASSIC or it will be so bad that it will be conisdered years one of worst
there is no middle
mani ratnam is taking big risk her so hopefully he succeeds what he is intended to do here
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 7:26 AM
“..or it will be so bad that it will be conisdered years one of worst”
I’ve never seen a Rathnam movie that fit that description. But hey what do I know?!
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 3:54 PM
well at one point there was director who made satya, kaun company and same director came up with rgv ki aag and darling few yrs later:)
i m not saying mani ratnam will follow same path but IMO his last movies have been flawed attempts including guru
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 4:00 PM
I’ve seen every Rathnam film other than his two early Malayalam and Kannada films. he’s never been close to an RGV like disaster in any film and from what I’ve been led to believe about those two I don’t think that happened there either! ‘Flawed’ depends on the context. A great director can often make flawed films that are still way better than the best of everybody else. It’s like Amitabh Bachchan on a bad day is still way better than most other actors! RGV’s oeuvre is just not comparable to Rathnam’s in any sense. Guru is actually a far more even work than some of his other films that I otherwise like more.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 7:51 AM
all south channels have been broadcasting lot about Raavan even before the teaser. Here it is not Abhishek/Ash, Ratnam movie always creates buzz.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 8:05 AM
Southern superstar Vikram traumatized by Raavan
Chiyaan Vikram Tamil superstar Vikram, who makes his debut in Hindi films with Mani Ratnam’s Raavan, is a traumatized man.
While in the Hindi version of Raavan he plays Aishwarya Rai’s cop-husband Dev, in the Tamil version he plays the brutal outlaw Veera. With both the versions being shot simultaneously, Vikram was constantly running in and out of the two completely different characters, makeup and languages, sometimes within half an hour.
Says a source, “It got really taxing for him. While Aishwarya Rai Bachchan played the same character in two languages, Vikram had to go from Raavan in Tamil to Rama in Hindi after every shot. At one point he almost lost the plot.”
One day the film’s dress designer Sabyasachi Chakraborty had dropped in on location to discuss Vikram’s look and clothes. Vikram was informed by Mani Ratnam’s assistant that he needed to sit with Sabyasachi to discuss his look with him for the film.
When the two of them met both began to give their viewpoints to each other about how the character played by Vikram would dress up in the film.
Says Vikram, “Within half an hour discussing the character’s look, we both realised that something was terribly wrong. I wanted my looks to be simple and minimalist so that I didn’t have to change much from the way I am. I suggested to Sabyasachi to keep my skin- tone black. On the other hand, Sabyasachi was keen on a suave and clean look. And was very was confused as to why was I was giving such a strange brief.” Sabysachi felt Vikram’s look couldn’t be dark, and told Vikram that if he was so keen on a dark look then maybe he could try and do something dark but formal.
Laughs Vikram. “I suggested a dhoti. Sabyasachi got really worked up and told me it was no longer funny and asked me him if I was really sure about my character Dev dressing like a rugged rustic character. That’s when both of us realised the confusion. I was talking about the looks of Veera (the outlaw character) my character in the Tamil version and Sabyasachi was talking about Dev (the cop) the character I’m playing in the Hindi version.”
Explains Vikram, “In the Hindi version it’s Abhishek Bachchan who is the outlaw character. And the fact that I’m playing two opposite characters in the two versions had caused the confusion.”
Though exhausted by the effort Vikram thoroughly enjoyed the unprecedented challenge of playing two characters at the same time in two languages.
Vikram, one of the foremost Tamil actors, will dub his own lines for the Hindi version of Raavan.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 8:07 AM
great to know he’s dubbing his own lines. Wonder what his Hindi is like. I’d heard it was weak. Unless Rathnam accounts for it in the film. But this double role is the chance of a lifetime. Even if there isn’t symmetry between Ram and Raavan in this subject it is still remarkable to be on both sides for the very same film. I must say that Prithviraj in the Tamil version continues to grate. But the problem is the same either way. You’re not going to get a serious star to play the part.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 8:17 AM
More music reviews:
1
2
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 8:49 AM
abhishek is unstoppable when it comes to being directed by mani ratnam..
i guess only 1 out of 20 directors he’s worked with has managed to tap his potential. the rest have more or less managed to bring out the Amitabh in him.. which has backfired
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 8:55 AM
It occurred to me just now that one Aravindan film I’d been meaning to see for some time actually has touched on this territory before, although remotely. “Kanchana Seetha” from 1977 (a film shot by Shaji Karun when he was a DP) relocates the Ramayana in an Andhra Pradesh based tribal group who actually consider themselves the true descendants of Rama. Of course here even Ram is a tribal.
There’s a culturally specific approach here and I keep trying to figure out where Ratnam is setting his movie.
Here’s info on the film:
http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/seeta.html
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 10:22 AM
sounds extremely interesting!
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 8:57 AM
These images have a “fabulist” quality that I don’t often associate with Mani’s work. Quite in keeping “tonally” with the idea that this is the retelling of an ancient epic (something Thalapathi didn’t quite have).
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 10:21 AM
It’s a great point and I agree completely..
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 9:15 AM
The more I look at stills more than anything else or any genealogy the one that comes through to me is in terms of hindi film mythology is that this could have been Gabbar Singh’s story of how he bacame THE Gabbar we remember from Sholay. I might be reading too much into the role from the stills we’ve seen but it gives that kind of iconic role and character feel about it.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 9:46 AM
Certainly the madcap, broadly villainous performance pieces we’ve seen feel Gabbarish.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 10:21 AM
Interesting you bring this up because in this ‘colonized’ age we live in we automatically look towards Western models without also considering Indian ones. And there is a whole history of the outlandish/unhinged villain. Gabbar is a good point of reference for that mix of the comical and the menacing. I once put together Jai and Gabbar as the most ‘intelligent’ characters in that film, I will now say they were the only two with a real sense of humor. I could imagine this ‘couple’ exchanging jokes! One the larger than life, ‘self-fashioning’ character, the other the cooler, detached, deadpan sort. Veeru would be the dunce in the background singing songs for Basanti!
The Joker (Ledger) was fantastic but he’s also paper thin (quite naturally). A type more than a character, well played without doubt. But my favorite Hollywood ‘villain’ of contemporary times is still the Butcher (GONY). The point I’m trying to make is that for a proper Indian film you can never be just a comic book character, no matter how brilliantly you do it. Much as Gabbar isn’t one.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 12:22 PM
The Butcher is easily the greatest Hollywood villain of the past twenty years or so. I can’t think of any major villain in the past few years that comes too close with maybe Ledger’s Joker as an exception and your characterization of that character is just about spot on.
Much as Gabbar has grown on me with every viewing of Sholay, the great screen villain/anti-hero in all of Indian cinema (or my experience of it) remains Mammotty’s “satanic” performance in Vidheyan. That was a true Raavan.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 4:05 PM
“Thin” is a good word: superhero comics don’t generally traffic in full-fledged characters, and the danger of characters like the Joker is that they lend themselves to de-humanization. No one ever need understand anything about the Joker, because he’s stark raving mad/wicked.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 4:08 PM
good point..
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 10:13 AM
Thats where I believe he’s pitched his performance and character on as it just gives me the Gabbar kind of vibe. The only question for me is if he can pull it off because Amjad Khan produced a performance that had the perfect balance of mania, humour and evil that the character required. I’m still not sure if a movie like Ravaan would hit big at the box office in current tomes but if Abhishek gets it right it could be a career defining performance.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 11:24 AM
Raav audi release live in IndiFM/ Bolywoodhangama
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 11:54 AM
what time?
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 11:55 AM
oh ok it’s on now.. I see Abhishek has come ‘dressed up’ for the part! Have to go somewhere.. will catch it on youtube later.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 12:06 PM
the song Rahman is singing isn’t on the CD is it?
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 12:08 PM
No, Mani does this with most soundtracks – missing songs
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 12:19 PM
nice touch to have Ash as the host of the ceremony..
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 12:19 PM
hey Vikram’s there too!
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 12:21 PM
someone said the other day that Vikram was only 5′ 6″ or something and I didn’t believe it but here he’s only as tall as Rathnam!
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 12:29 PM
they didn’t show the web audience the song promos that the live audience clearly saw.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 12:34 PM
hope they have a video up later. I just caught the last 15 mins. Abhishek and Vikram shared a great moment there toward the end. One always feels the deepest affection whenever one spots Rathnam.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 12:26 PM
The composition of the shot with Abhishek carrying the pistol and Ash crouched on the floor a few feet away is tremendous. The blocking here is perfect with Abhishek looking like a colossus in that shot.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 12:28 PM
yes and that’s the ‘Gabbar’ image!
Also like the other one where he’s in green to match the green of the background structure.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 4:13 PM
that’s an awesome shot, my fave shot so far.
if like someone mentioned, this is a gabbar before he became gabbar type of story/character, it would be amazing.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 1:44 PM
Passion of cinema review:
http://passionforcinema.com/ranjhaa-ranjhaa-kardi-ve-main-raavan-music-review/
my comment:
[Great review here. I shall only point out that you omit three Tamil collaborations — Iruvar (Rathnam’s greatest film and Rahman’s most ‘exquisite’ soundtrack), Kannathil Muthamittal (the title song here is among Rahman’s greatest compositions..) and the older Thiruda Thiruda (a superb masala soundtrack). Raavan is actually the tenth collaboration for the two.]
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 1:48 PM
I doubt there’s another Indian commercial director in history who even after close to three decades (Rathnam) at work was still considered the most cutting edge one around in the strongest ‘critical’ sense of the word.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 1:59 PM
Probably the bravest maker in current times to make a movies a rustic as Ravaan. I’m beginning to think based on it rusticity that it could be an all India smash hit as it caters that much for the people of India that current cinema has forgotten about with the desire to cater to the multiplex and western market. This is an Indian movie in its purest sense and that might be its trump card all over India.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 2:00 PM
okk..just saw the live music launch of raavan!! something dat abhishek mentioned caught my attention..he said dat mani ratnam in his entire career has never allowed an actor to reshoot a scene..as in give a second take!! wow..dats quite amazing!!
also he said something real fun..he told ash dat mani sir launched you with his film..but he keeps launching me again nd again..lol!! dats abhishek bachchan 4 you..as self deprecating as they get!!
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 2:07 PM
missed all of this, hope they put up the video later.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 2:51 PM
i think d link is now available on youtube as “raavan music launch”..
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 4:01 PM
I am unable to find the link. Let me check.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 4:10 PM
The top three images (Abhishek with the white background; the two Ash solos below it) are the best of the solo shots — as GF noted, the one with Abhi walking away from Ash is masterfully constructed, and definitely in the “fabulist” vein I mentioned earlier (on that note, who wouldn’t think of Sleeping Beauty when confronted with the image of sleeping Ash below that one?)… the one of Ash/Vikram on the bed is so-very-Mani: no one makes domesticity look quite so sexy.
I will say this: nothing in the promos of Guru was as visually appealing as these sorts of images. Not all have been successful, but none are anodyne or stale.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 4:17 PM
He is indeed 5’6″ and Satyam are U in a Gajani mode or what?
That link is..
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 4:20 PM
thanks Pradip.. I found it finally and put the whole thing up in the trailer thread.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 4:32 PM
Yes, I see that and loved Aish & Vikaram’s interaction. He comes across very easy going, sharp and in different league which makes him giant and tall.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 4:39 PM
You should really check out his Tamil movies. You’ll absolutely love them. His breakout film was the tere Naam original, Sethu. Then he did Pithamagan with the same director with another major Tamil star, Surya (he’s doing RGV’s Rakta Charitra). but for the truest masala pleasures check out Saamy and then Dhool and in turn Dhill (the original for Dum) and finally Gemini. In a more serious masala/thriller vein Samurai. Arul is passable. He also does somewhat different turns in Kasi, King, Majaa. For some over the top stuff Anniyan and more recently Kandasamy. His relatively recent Bheema was good too except for a bizarre ending. Unfortunately he’s not done too many in recent years which is a real pity. On the other hand he’s made his films count in the sense that there’s not much repetition. He was supposed to do Madhavan’s role in the Tamil version of Yuva but had date issues.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 4:41 PM
the second picture (d ash solo pic with hairs flying) just brought back a very distinct memory of ramayan by ramanand sagar..d same scene where sita (played by deepika..not padukone..ofcourse..ha..)sitting under a tree in ashok-vatika thinking about lord ram!! ohh.. such sweet memories..!!
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 5:00 PM
Just listened to all the songs.
Though JA is still my favopurite album by ARR I must say this is a unique album. Every song is unique.
I liked ‘killi’, ‘Ranjha’, ‘beera’ very much.
Normally the songs of most films sound the same. I’m sorry but kites music sounds like ‘already heard’.
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 5:31 PM
LOL, that last line is priceless…
LikeLike
April 24, 2010 at 9:46 PM
Summer Fiesta
This year, collections from some big budget films like Kites, Raavan (Rs 35 crore) and Rajneeti (Rs 40 crore) are expected to be good.”
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/summer-fiesta/392911/
LikeLike
April 25, 2010 at 9:54 AM
one from the sets..
LikeLike
April 25, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Anyone else think that some of the general public may get confused about Raavan/Raavanan (mainly the stills being released) especially as Vikram has opposing roles in both films…?
LikeLike
April 25, 2010 at 3:01 PM
this sweet moment is from the music launch (available in the trailer thread).
LikeLike
April 25, 2010 at 3:48 PM
MR & SLB both are extremely passionate and incorruptible so bonding with them is fine and needless to say that Ash has great bonding with both. Ash surely hosted function very well and should try to host IIFA. The only thing puzzled me was her high waist old style sari..am I seeing too much or what?
LikeLike
April 25, 2010 at 6:56 PM
Why no pictures of Sr.Bachchan on music release?
LikeLike
April 25, 2010 at 7:06 PM
Mani Ratnam launches Raavan’s music with Abhishek & Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Story By: CHUMAN DAS updated on: Apr 26, 2010
MUMBAI: Keep it real, that was the direction given by Mani Ratnam. And for the launch of the music launch, the cast and crew followed it to the script, and that kept the very special invitees spell bound as Mani weaved his magic with his superb team of Rahman and Abhishek Bachchan.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra avoids music launches and is yet to attend one, apart from the films that he makes and he confessed, “I am glad I came. I was woven into the magical world of Raavan.” Raavan, the latest creation of Mani Ratnam showcased its music, unlike any launch ever in Mumbai’s film industry.
Shaad Ali, a former assistant of Mani Ratnam and who has directed films like Saathiya, Bunty aur Babli and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, has been the assistant to Mani in this film, disclosed, “It was all Mani Sir’s idea. He had a vision. He told us that the launch should reflect the film and we followed his instructions.”
A set was created in Yashraj studios, which had a jungle feel. As Raavan was shot in the forests of Tamil Nadu, the set of the music launch was thus replicated. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in a white sequined saree was the hostess for the evening. She said, “We have had to deal with rapids, snakes, leeches, cold water, early morning wake up calls, trekking for miles, but we would all do it again for Mani Sir.” After detailing us about her character called Ragini in the film, she introduced the superstar from the South, Vikram. Working on a bilingual and his first Hindi film, Vikram admitted, “When I was given the Tamil lines I would think and act, when I was later given the hindi lines, I would just stop thinking and act.”
Amidst the banter, Raavan was getting ready to reveal one of his many avatars. The banter between Ash and Vikram petered out as the first strains of the music could be heard. The maniac, just one of the numerous shades of Raavan was unleashed and Abhishek Bachchan gave a powerful performance of what this Raavan can do, whennailed. As the lyrics of Thok De Khilli gathered momentum, AB dressed in a muddied black shirt and trouser with a black patch on his eye and dirt covering his bare arms and neck, jumped, leaped and thumped as the audiences gave a thunderous applause.
Abhishek had a small tete-a-tete with Ash on stage, where he candidly said, “Working with Mani is simple. You know he will take care of you as an actor. He will do everything for the character and make sure that everything looks seamless. You just have that implicit faith in him because you know that he is only thinking of the character and the film in totality. Nothing else matters and he also has the best technicians working for him.”
The evening ended with a lyrical recitation from Gulzar and AR Rahman took it to the ultimate level when he gave music to those lyrics and sang. It was only natural for the three hundred odd guests to give the duo a standing ovation.
Rohan Sippy, who was part of the spectacle said, “A music release like this cannot be done all the time. The content of Raavan is rich and so is the gravity of the film. It is only then one can plan and conceive a show like this. I don’t see music launches like this becoming a trend because you also need the canvas of a star cast as Abhishek and Aishwarya Bachchan and Mani Ratnam and AR Rahman.”
Raavan’s music is rich and varied. Mani has stuck to a rain song with Ash, a soulful rendition on destiny, two peppy dance numbers amongst the six tracks of his film. Raavan is slated to release on the 25th of June, but one can be assured that the pulse of the music will be felt, much before its release.
http://www.businessofcinema.com/news.php?newsid=16036
LikeLike
April 26, 2010 at 8:50 AM
Every new set of shots here just confirms that this is going to be one of Rathnam’s (and Sivan’s) cinematographic peaks. Some of the landscape/detail here reminds me of Kannathil’s second half..
LikeLike
April 26, 2010 at 8:56 AM
Ya, I’m in wonder at just every shot! There are some beautiful shots of India.
They finally have a pic of Vikram as Raavan and with Aishwarya
LikeLike
April 26, 2010 at 8:58 AM
thanks, hadn’t seen this.
LikeLike
April 26, 2010 at 9:36 AM
It does look absolutely breathtaking and it’s the type of film that needs a world stage for it looks like the type of movie that could be appreciated worldwide and be a genuine breakthrough film as Indian cinema at its very best.
LikeLike
April 26, 2010 at 9:41 AM
Indeed!
LikeLike
April 26, 2010 at 8:55 AM
wow! The latest images are very good. They have added detailed synopsis in Raavan web site.The story is appealing to me, I would like to see funny part of Raavna.
LikeLike
April 26, 2010 at 9:04 AM
LikeLike
April 26, 2010 at 9:24 AM
Finally some Vikram shots!
I’ve also updated some of the older images with high quality ones. In addition to of course the Hindi ones I’ve added.
LikeLike
April 26, 2010 at 9:24 AM
http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20100139458&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=bollywood
Raavan was my most challenging film to date: Abhishek
LikeLike
April 26, 2010 at 9:27 AM
so Abhishek did really make that jump. WOW! I am impressed!
LikeLike
April 26, 2010 at 9:24 AM
LikeLike