BOTTOM LINE
Knock Out Punch From Ram Charan
OUR RATING
3.25/5
CENSOR
‘U/A’Certified, 3 hrs 00 mins.
What is the film Rangasthalam about?
Chittibabu (Ram Charan) is partially deaf but a protective brother. What happens when Kumar Babu (Aadhi) decides to contest in the Presidential election of the village against the existing President, is what the film is all about?
How is Ram Charan’s performance?
When Ram Charan began his career, it was going all well until a massive storm erupted in the form of Thoofan. It was after this that everyone started to criticise the star for his acting skills openly. Well, if the last movie wasn’t an answer, then Rangasthalam makes sure it is loudly heard and resounding among the audience.
Ram Charan is sensational. We hear time, and again, the highest quality of an actor is we don’t see the actor instead we only see the character. With Chittibabu Ram Charan has made that possible. It is not just the physical appearance that has got a makeover; the role is a seismic change in the actor’s performing skills. There are many moments to highlight the extraordinary acting prowess shown by the star, but we would just like to mention only the climax. It is sure to stay in viewers mind for a long time to come. The dances, the dialogues, and the diction, the actor has aced them all. Rangasthalam is a career-defining moment for the star.
Direction By Sukumar?
Sukumar takes a giant leap as a director with Rangasthalam. The director has managed to create an immersive experience with his latest outing. If SS Rajamouli has created the world of Mashishmati, then Sukumar has done the same with Rangasthalam. The fictional village comes alive on the big screen.
One of the most important aspects of Rangasthalam is the lack of effect of the runtime. As many know by now, the movie is nearly three hours long, but when watching one never gets the feeling of watching such lengthy flick. The pace never slackens, except briefly in the second half.
The other essential aspect is the characters. By the end of Rangasthalam, we are in love with various characters whether they have a small role or more significant. The long-time devoted to showing the world of Rangasthalam in detail with multiple characters help in generating the effect. The first half feels slightly longer due to that.
The second half takes us into the story. It is predictable, but as we are engaged in the proceedings via the characters, we are on the journey and feel the pain of Chittibabu when some particular incidents happen in his life. Still, there are parts of the second half before and after the item number that feel like they have been dragged. Once again, the climax lifts the film to a new level. It is brilliantly executed by the director and performed by the actor.
Overall, Rangasthalam is a must watch for the coming of age of Ram Charan as a performer and directorial vision of Sukumar.
Samantha and others?
Apart from Ram Charan, Samantha and other artists have got good roles. Of course, they lack the author backed quality of the star, but still, it’s not like they can be put aside. Samantha does her part with aplomb. She generates the chemistry. Aadhi Pinishetty playing the brother is subtle yet powerful when necessary. Anasuya as Rangamattamma is sure to register. Jagapathy Babu is menacingly portrayed, and he makes the most use of it. Prakash Raj leaves a mark with a small role.
Music and other departments?
Music director Devi Sri Prasad has breathed life into the proceedings with his music. He has given excellent songs that suit the narrative and also a powerful background score. The cinematography by Rathnavelu is excellent. The editing could have been better at times. However, the real highlight of the movie in technical department is the art. They have done an extraordinary job.
Highlights?
Ram Charan
Direction
Casting
Art Department
Music and BGM
First Half and Climax
Drawbacks?
Length
Parts of Second Half
Alternative Take
The characters and their arcs are well thought out, reducing violence and little less time in setting up the atmosphere would have been perfect.
Did I enjoy it?
Yes
Will you recommend it?
Yes
Rangasthalam Review by Siddartha Toleti
Final Report:
Rangasthalam is very raw and has intense scenes like in Tamil Films. You will enjoy it to the core if you enjoy such genres. It is also Ram Charan’s career-best performance. The length may be an issue for some. Visit back for our frank review shortly.
– Chitti Babu (Ram Charan) takes revenge after he reveals the twist. Movie comes to an end. Stay tuned for the final report shortly.
– DSP has delivered his best in the recent times through his background score.
– After ages Rangasthalam gets a new president.
– After a sudden twist to the Kumar Babu (Aadhi) character,
Rangasthalam is boiling with the violence.
– Pooja Hegde’s “Jigelu Rani” is a pakka oora mass number on-screen, masses will go bonkers in B,Cs.
– Election heat started in Rangasthalam.
First Half Report:
Perfect build up to the interval with a well-picked cast. From Anasuya to Jagapathy Babu everyone does their part. A bit lengthy but that’s about it. All up to the second half now.
Extraordinary would be an understatement for Ram Charan performance, he is beyond extraordinary. Overall, it’s a good first half. The real story is yet to begin, stay tuned to the second half report.
– After a simple twist, it’s time for interval.
– Three songs in the first half “Ranga Ranga Rangasthalana”,
“Yentha Sakkagunnave” and
“Rangamma Mangamma” placed at the right time and have been shot well following the simple sceme of 80s village set up.
– Chitti Babu (Ram Charan) falls in love with Ramalakshmi (Samantha). The scene where Chitti Babu goes to Samantha’s home to propose her is hillarious.
– Chitti Babu (Ram Charan) brother Kumar Babu (Aadhi Pinisetty) comes from Dubai, he is love with a girl in the village.
– Jagapati Babu’s entry as President of Rangasthalam makes a solid impact of his negative character.
– Ram Charan as Chitti Babu with that uncanny hearing problem looks perfect on screen with his village attitude and mannerisms
– Rangasthalam show started off on an interesting note. Chitti Babu (Ram Charan) trying to save Prakash Raj who’s hit by a lorry. Chitti Babu takes us to the flash back episode in the village of Rangasthalam.
Preview: Rangasthalam
3Rangasthalam *$400 K (4pm EST)
| S# | Movie | Collections |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brucee Lee | $284K |
| 2 | Dhruva | $223 K |
| 3 | Govindudu Andarivadele | $174 K |
To begin with, even the non-fans of Ram Charan are eagerly waiting for ‘Rangasthalam‘ after he struck the right chord with the audiences right from the rustic first look and then the special promo introducing his character.
Here, genuinely audiences are waiting to see Ram Charan’s elevation as a performer rather than watch him once again as a star. The first look, teasers, trailers and song promos gave an insight what to expect from the movie and especially, from Ram Charan.
The audio delivered by Devisri Prasad turned out to be a super hit one and to be frank, a couple of songs are going to stay forever and the tunes are dancing on the tongues of the audiences.
Like Sai Pallavi’s Telangana slang was celebrated by the Telugu audiences of both the States, the rustic feel in ‘Yentha Sakkangunnave’ and ‘Ranga Ranga Rangasthalaana’ is heard everywhere in both the Telugu States. It’s a celebration one sees when we go to our roots.
Coming to the director, Sukumar is an intelligent director who can confuse common audiences with his twists. His last genuine blockbuster was ‘Arya’ and after that, at the best, he came up with hits. ‘Rangasthalam’ is expected to become another blockbuster in his career.
Though Ram Charan has slowed down big time both at the box-office and also from coming up with back-to-back movies, he is compensating for this gap with a different movie like ‘Rangasthalam’.
While Sukumar is one of the favourites in the US, Ram Charan’s market is weak going by his previous track record. There is a good chance for Ram Charan to improve himself and pull good numbers with a movie like this which caters to the tastes of the overseas’ audiences.
Cinematographer Ratnavelu’s visuals, Samantha’s magic as Ramalakshmi, Aadi as Kumar Babu and Jagapthi Babu as the menacing feudalistic President, all these add to the pluses of the movie. Visit back for our frank Rangasthalam Review shortly.
Rangasthalam US Premier collection as of 8 AM EST on Friday – $704,867 From 164 locations (30 Locations yet to report their collection in Rentrak).
