Ramam Raghavam Movie Review: A Bold Vision Weighed Down by Its Own Ambitions.Filmygod

A Story of a Flawed Protagonist

Raghava (Dhanraj Koranani) in Ramam Raghavam is not an easy character to root for. When we first meet him, he is already at his lowest. As the film progresses, he continues making choices that push us further away from empathizing with him. By the time the interval arrives, he makes a shocking decision—one that cements his place as a protagonist who doesn’t necessarily deserve victory. Yet, this makes the film’s core intriguing: it doesn’t ask us to support its lead but compels us to watch him.

The movie follows a familiar template, with a morally upright father (Samuthirakani) facing off against his wayward son. Raghava is a man prone to mistakes, constantly falling into the same traps. However, despite its conventional elements, the first half moves at a brisk pace, keeping the audience engaged. The story stumbles occasionally with forced character choices and an overbearing background score, but it never loses momentum. Even the romance subplot, often a hindrance in such narratives, is handled with surprising efficiency. Varsha (Mokksha), the spunky neighborhood girl, shares a few warm interactions with Raghava before bluntly telling him that she doesn’t see him as a life partner. This subplot is refreshingly short-lived, allowing the story to maintain its focus.

A Compact Yet Emotionally Charged Universe

One of Ramam Raghavam‘s strengths is its small, contained universe. The film revolves around three central characters—Raghava and his parents—who share a strained and complex dynamic. Director Dhanraj Koranani, in his directorial debut, effectively captures the emotional undercurrents of this intimate setting. However, the screenplay itself doesn’t fully utilize this potential.

The second half initially gains an edge with unpredictable twists. As Raghava remains steadfast in his vengeful plans against his father, the narrative throws several obstacles in his way. Unfortunately, the film fails to properly explore its core conflict. Why did the father-son relationship deteriorate? What pushed Raghava into rebellion despite having a loving upbringing? At what point did Ramam (Samuthirakani) give up on his son? Instead of gradually drawing us into these complexities, the movie drops us into the middle of an ongoing struggle, forcing the audience to piece together the backstory with minimal exposition. This lack of emotional buildup makes it difficult to fully invest in the central characters.

Struggles with Depth and Execution

The premise of Ramam Raghavam is better suited to a novel, where the psychological depth of its characters could be explored more thoroughly. In a feature film format, however, the story is forced to follow a more straightforward, surface-level approach. This results in Raghava appearing more as a one-dimensional antagonist than a deeply flawed individual struggling with his own demons. Similarly, Deva (Harish Uthaman) is an intriguing character—he fiercely stands by his friend, isn’t afraid to confront him, and reveals his vulnerabilities in raw moments of confession. Yet, his arc remains underdeveloped. The film’s biggest flaw is its reluctance to fully embrace the morally grey areas it initially sets up.

Performances and Technical Aspects

Dhanraj Koranani delivers a sincere performance as Raghava, capturing the character’s inner turmoil with conviction. However, certain scenes require a more nuanced approach that his portrayal lacks. In contrast, Samuthirakani plays Ramam with effortless simplicity, perfectly embodying the moral clarity of his character. Pramodini, despite limited screen time, leaves a strong impact, especially in emotional moments.

On the technical front, the film benefits from its strong cinematography, which enhances the intimate setting of the story. However, the background score sometimes undermines the film’s intended impact. Rather than allowing scenes to breathe, the music often forces an emotional response, making the drama feel heavy-handed.

A Thought-Provoking Climax with Unfulfilled Potential

Despite its shortcomings, Ramam Raghavam redeems itself with a powerful climax. The final moments deliver unexpected twists, embracing both life and death in profound ways. The film leaves us with a sobering meditation on redemption, suggesting that closure can come in different forms, depending on one’s perspective. While this ending leaves an impact, it also serves as a reminder of how much more the film could have achieved if it had fully committed to its ambitions.

Final Verdict

Ramam Raghavam is an ambitious film that tackles morally complex themes but struggles to execute them effectively. It has moments of brilliance, particularly in its performances and thought-provoking climax, but its reluctance to fully explore its grey areas holds it back. While the movie keeps you engaged, it ultimately leaves you wanting more—a deeper dive into its characters, a stronger emotional foundation, and a more confident embrace of its darker themes.