Ramam Raghavam Review: The Samuthirakani starrer is predictable but an endearing watch

2.5/5

Ramam Raghavam Story

Dasaradh Ram (Samuthirakani) is a government official who raises his son, Raghava (Dhanraj), with the best upbringing possible. However, after completing his studies, Raghava takes the wrong path, constantly creating problems for himself and his family. The more trouble he causes, the more frustrated his father becomes, eventually leading him to kick Raghava out of the house. In a shocking turn of events, Raghava becomes so enraged that he decides to kill his father. What drove him to take such a drastic step? Did he go through with it? The rest of the story unfolds from there.

Ramam Raghavam review

Ramana Raghavam was written and directed by comedian-turned-director Dhanraj Koranani. At first glance, it appears to be just another father-son story, common in South Indian cinema. However, the moment Dhanraj introduces the central conflict, the narrative takes an interesting turn.

The first half is primarily focused on family drama, with several incidents hinting that the protagonist will eventually change for the better and take care of his family. However, the most intriguing aspect of the film is that, instead of improving, he continues to spiral downward. This unexpected trajectory is one of the film’s major highlights, keeping the audience engaged until the end. The negative emotions the son harbors toward his father are explored compellingly, a theme rarely seen in Telugu cinema.

That said, the film has one major flaw. Director Dhanraj should have delved deeper into why the son strayed onto the wrong path and what went wrong in his upbringing. Despite having ample time, he rushes past this critical aspect and jumps straight to the conflict. As a result, while the father's suffering is evident, the reason behind the son's drastic transformation does not register well. The emotional turmoil between father and son is underdeveloped in the initial parts of the film.

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The second half, however, is more engaging than the first, thanks to its well-executed twists. The hero's transformation into a better person is handled well, though it comes too late in his life. One of the film’s strongest aspects is that Dhanraj does not attempt to portray himself in a heroic light—he fully embraces his negative character. Usually, in such films, a few good deeds from the father are enough to change the son’s heart, but here, it takes a series of impactful incidents to bring about that transformation. The film’s conclusion is particularly effective, reinforcing the idea that defying one’s parents comes with consequences.

In terms of performance, Samuthirakani is outstanding in his role, bringing emotional depth to the film. His portrayal of a loving yet helpless father is commendable. Dhanraj not only directs well but also delivers a solid performance. However, one does feel that a more seasoned lead actor might have elevated the film further. Pramodini, who plays the mother, is excellent in her role, while Satya provides a few light-hearted moments.

Arun Chiluveru’s music is decent, with a strong background score complementing the narrative. The production values and production design could have been significantly better, but the editing is crisp, and the dialogues and lyrics are meaningful.

Dhanraj makes a promising directorial debut with a familiar father-son story but takes an unconventional approach by portraying himself as a negative character. However, the lack of a well-established motive for the son’s actions weakens the emotional impact. Despite these shortcomings, Ramana Raghavam remains a decent watch for the weekend.

Ramam Raghavam Verdict

On the whole, Ramam Raghavam is a decent family drama that has a shocking conflict point. The second half and climax are handled well and Dhanraj does well as a director. If you ignore the shaky start, the family drama can be given a shot for its moving ending,

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