Rajni movie review: The gripping plot of this Kalidas Jayaram thriller will not cease to surprise the audience

The struggles of a community whose rights to live by their own choices that are largely discussed in present times may not seem like a novel central theme, but it is used efficiently in Rajni

A still from Rajni

Rajni

Rajni story: Chennai-based IT professional Abhijeet gets murdered under strange circumstances while returning home with his wife, Gauri. The accused is a mysterious woman, or a ‘Pissasu’, as described by the witnesses. The film's plot revolves around Naveen, Gauri's brother, who rejects the police's version of Abhijeet's supposed affair with this woman as the reason for the murder and is determined to find the truth.

Rajni review: With ample clues about the impending disaster, the movie starts off in a spooky manner. It advances, nevertheless, by holding viewers' attention and refusing to give anything away too quickly. ‘Rajni’ may not be noteworthy given the subject matter, but its storytelling technique may surprise viewers and keep them on the edge of their seats.

The main character of the bilingual movie is Naveen (Kalidas Jayaram), who is trying to figure out why his brother-in-law, Abhijeet (Saiju Kurup), was killed. He is relentless in his search for the perpetrator and the motive behind the crime, refusing to accept that the accused has any sort of relationship with Abhijeet. But it doesn't take him long to realise that the murder was more than simply a random act or crime of passion—it also placed his sister's life in jeopardy.

The struggles of a community whose rights to live by their own choices that are largely discussed in present times may not seem like a novel central theme, but it is used efficiently in this flick. A suspenseful background music, glimpses of the enigmatic woman, and a few jump scares help the filmmakers successfully establish an unsettling and eerie tone for the first half of the movie. They have also overcome the challenging task of keeping audiences engaged for the entire two hours of the movie by skilfully telling the story in a precise and straightforward manner.

Even though parts of Kalidas Jayaram's dialogue may sound a little forced, he has managed to convey the character just the right amount of feeling. Although the film's title may initially be confusing to viewers, the creators quickly clarify it before the intermission. Several gripping action sequences in the second part of the film culminate in the revelation of the twist, which may seem obvious to some.

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Some questions raised at the start of the movie, such as why Naveen decides to back out of his marriage and his tense connection with his father, are somehow left unanswered in ‘Rajni’. Up until the antagonist's past is revealed, the film's emotional core is conspicuously absent. The antagonist in the film easily elicits empathy from the audience by the climax with his back story, similar to the affliction the audience's felt for Dr Benjamin Louis by the conclusion of Kunchacko Boban-starrer ‘Anjaam Pathiraa’.

Also read: A Ranjith Cinema review: This experimental Asif Ali-starrer stutters at first but has enough to keep you intrigued 

While ‘Rajni' may not be able to impress with its performances, it does so well with its clear and captivating treatment of the narrative. The film will undoubtedly be surprising to any viewer with zero expectations.

Rajni verdict: This riveting film has all the usual elements of a thriller but is presented in a more appealing way.

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