Rann

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Amitabh Bachan, Sudeep, Ritesh Deshmukh, Paresh Ravel, Suchithra Krishnamoorthy, Neetu Chandra
Director : Ramgopal Varma
Music : Debashish Mehra

Director Ramgopal Varma's film career started with the telugu superhit of later 80's, 'Shiva' starring Nagarjuna. His career is a mix of many ups and downs. He is the director / producer of many action / horror based thrillers like 'Road', 'Kaun', 'Rangeela', 'Bhoot', 'Darna Mana Hai', 'Vasthu Shastra', 'Phoonk' etc. Unlike from other directors, he has always been practicing the custom of using contreversial subjects for his films. 'Satya', 'Company' etc were made on the underworld gangs, The hero in the film 'Sarkar' has got the shades of a notable political leader in Mumbai and 'Jungle' was filmed on sandalwood smuggler Veerappan's story. Anyway, even after giving so many flops, he is still an excellent director due to his unique style in the movie making. After 'Sarkar' series, 'Nisabdh' and 'RGV Ki Aag' (remake of 'Sholay'), Amitabh Bachan once again join hands with his favorite director Varma for his latest film 'Rann', which is based on the media world.


The protagonist Vijay Malik (Amitabh Bachan) is the owner of a news channel, India 24/7. Even after affected by a low tam rating, he believes in the true way of delivering news and always followed an ethics in presenting it before the public. His competitor channel (owned by Mohnish Behl) is in the top postion, as they have given importance for new business strategies apart from sticking on to realities and ethics. Vijay's son Jay (kannada actor Sudeep, 'Phoonk' fame) is disturbed and worried at this. Vijay's son-in-law (Rajat Kapoor) with the help of a corrupted politician (Paresh Rawal) had agreed to help Jay. As a part of character assassination, they had made some forged videos against a clear politician and made him the main suspect behind the bomb blast that happened recently. Without knowing the real fact, Vijay Malik telecasted the news. Their channel's tam rating is in a higher position now and Jay got a bulk amount of money from the people who are benefited due to this. An ambitious young journalist (Ritesh Deshmukh), who is working in India 24/7, has smelled the fowl play and he decided to conduct an investigation on these things and its after effects are in the remaining portions of 'Rann'.


The main attraction here is the presentation of the film. Some of the under ground games that is happening in the media world these days are shown openly. The film is rich in its technical aspects also, cinematographer Amit Roy should be given the maximum credits. Amitabh Bachan, in the lead role has given an excellent performance. Kannada star Sudeep, who has done his son's role has also done a good job. Rithesh Deshmukh did the character in a matured way.


Though the speech in the end by the hero is sensible, it felt too lengthy in such a situation. There should have been justifications given for the inclusion of Rithesh's character in the higher level team meeting of the news channel and the reward for the double agent role done by the high official in the channel is given in an open place, which is also unacceptable.


'Rann' is a film that shows the darker side of the media world. How can a back door entry for the news in such a medium affects the system is shown in Ramgopal Varma's style...


Rating : 7 / 10