Raa Raja Review: A bold and experimental thriller with a unique narrative

3/5

Raa Raja Story

Raja (Sugi Vijay) and Rani (Mounika Helen) are a couple who go against their parents' wishes and get married. They start a happy life together and cannot imagine living without each other. One day, their world turns upside down when Raja brutally attacks Rani. Everyone is shocked, including Raja himself, who has no idea why he committed such an act. The rest of the story follows how Raja faces dire consequences due to external influences and ultimately seeks to make peace with his wife.

Raa Raja Review

B. Shiva Prasad has written and directed Raa Raja, marking the first time in Indian cinema that actors' faces are completely concealed. This is a bold and daring move, as emotions in any character are primarily conveyed through facial expressions. Hiding this crucial aspect is a significant creative risk, but Shiva Prasad makes a brave attempt by keeping the faces of his leads hidden.

The film features characters who talk, cry, fight, and even break down—yet their faces remain obscured. While this approach is innovative and bold, there is no denying that it takes time for the audience to adjust to the proceedings. Some may even find the constant camera movement distracting at first.

However, once the main conflict is revealed, viewers begin to settle into the film’s unique style, as the dialogues and side-angle shots effectively convey the emotions of the characters. In a film where faces are hidden, one might wonder how emotions are expressed.

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Shiva Prasad ensures that the dialogues create an instant impact, especially in scenes involving the heroine, who goes through a particularly difficult time. The way spooky elements are woven into the narrative is also commendable. Had the director chosen to reveal the faces of his leads, Raa Raja might have become just another thriller with conventional storytelling. Instead, the decision to keep faces concealed adds an intriguing layer, making the viewing experience more engaging.

One of the film’s biggest strengths is its cinematography by Rahul Srivastava. His impressive camerawork, lighting, and ability to set the mood of the thriller enhance the storytelling significantly. The production design is equally effective, with well-utilized props adding depth to the visuals.

Another major asset is the background score by Sekhar Chandra, which breathes life into the film. Without his contribution, certain scenes might have felt dull, but his music elevates the tension, especially in the second half.

Technically, Raa Raja is a well-crafted film, and considering its budget, Shiva Prasad has done an impressive job. However, the concept of concealing faces might not appeal to everyone. Some might feel that the director should have at least revealed the lead pair’s faces at the end, but the film stays true to its experimental nature.

Sugi Vijay and Mounika Helen play the lead roles and effectively convey emotions through their body language. While Raa Raja is not a film for all audiences, it remains a unique cinematic experiment that works for the most part.

Raa Raja Verdict

On the whole, Raa Raja is an experimental film with decent thrills. While the concept of concealing faces takes time to grow on you, the engaging thrills and well-designed soundscape keep you hooked, making it an honest attempt that is worth a watch this weekend.

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