Writer/Director: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal
‘A Brilliant Blockbuster’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Shah Rukh Khan. Ever since his recognition in the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the greatest actors in the film industry. Whether it is star-crossed lovers, gangs or doomed superheroes, Khan has proven he can play many characters. Arguably, Khan’s finest strength as an actor has always been his charisma. He has often been of those rare actors with the abilities to use his charisma to attract audiences to theatres. Through his abilities to play characters which prove to be compelling, Khan has created a bold legacy that’s lasting. Known as the Badshah of Bollywood, Khan has stood test of time as a celebrated icon that’s beloved in Indian Cinema. Despite having reached the age of retirement, Khan hasn’t lost his passions for making engaging entertainment. An icon in India, Khan has become a bold actor whose movies commonly attract audiences to the Cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Khan has appeared in several unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies which he has created in his career. However, “Ra.One” definitely stands out as being his most underrated movie. Released in 2011, Anubhav Sinha’s film offered a captivating portrait of superheroes. Packed with brilliant musical sequences, engrossing action and phenomenal acting, it’s a brilliant Bollywood superhero blockbuster. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Shah Rukh Khan, who embodies a superhero seeking to rescue the world from destruction. Although “Ra.One” is a captivating blockbuster, it isn’t a flawless film. Its builds to a melodramatic ending without a resolution. Nevertheless, it offers strong entertainment for fans of SRK.
“Ra.One” tells the story of a superhero on a mission to save the world from destruction. Shah Rukh Khan portrays G.One, a powerful protagonist of an action video game that is searching for fame. G.One has always had a strong association with his video game that he regards with affection. However, G.One’s life forever changes when he’s given a task of saving the world from disaster. When the antagonist of his video game Ra.One (Arjun Rampal) takes on a physical form, it’s up to G.One to save the world. Assisted by a new companion Sonia (Kareena Kapoor), G.One seeks to embark upon a dangerous mission. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, G.One wonders whether he will ever be able to become more than a video game character.
Anubhav Sinha has always been fascinated with the action genre. A brilliant Bollywood filmmaker, Sinha has often made engaging movies about heroes seeking to save world from disaster. His iconic film “Dus” offered a powerful portrait of Indian special agents on a mission to stop dangerous terrorists which cause destruction. With “Ra.One”, however, Sinha made his first ever superhero movie. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to convey hardships faced by superheroes seeking to find their identity, but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Sinha captures a superhero’s journey to discover a powerful heroic identity. Inspired by Richard Donner’s “Superman”, Sinha expertly uses montages to convey a superhero seeking to achieve a plan. For instance, montages enhance the superpowers discoveries scene. During this intense scene, Ra.One is overjoyed to find his superpowers. Using stunning montages, Sinha creates a portrait of superheroes that is engaging. Montages are tricky techniques to use in Bollywood films. As Nikkhil Advani’s “Kal Ho Naa Ho” proved, montages elevate. Bollywood films about terminal illness. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Sinha captures tensions superheroes seeking to save world are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Ra.One” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive superhero blockbusters that you will see. Sinha effectively uses cross-cutting to stage music sequences involving heroes that are engaging. For instance, the cross-cutting elevates the Chammak Challo song. During this unforgettable song, G.One sings a melody showcasing his superhero identity. Using cross-cutting, Sinha creates musical sequences that are engaging. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing a painful burden heroes bear. Through strong production, Sinha captures superheroes on a mission.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Ra.One” is a superhero blockbuster that’s compelling. The film is well-written, expertly using dramatic monologues to capture the life of a superhero striving to find an identity. Throughout the film, G.One’s monologues showcase his strong devotion to saving the world from mass destruction. For instance, the monologues elevate the speech scene. During this memorable scene, G.One gives a meaningful speech showcasing his dream of rescuing the world. Through monologues, Sinha creates a portrait of superheroes that audiences can relate to. Monologues aren’t simple techniques to use in Bollywood. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” suggested, monologues elevate Bollywood movies about broken families. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Sinha captures the lives of superheroes that experience a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his best performances as G.One. Khan achieved appreciation playing romantic heroes in Bollywood. With “Ra.One”, however, Khan took on his most tricky role. It isn’t easy to portray a superhero seeking to save the word from catastrophe but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and strong in his most heroic role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures ambition, bravery and grief faced by a superhero embarking on missions. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most celebrated actors working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Khan, the supporting cast is also great and worthy of appreciation. Arjun Rampal is remarkable, capturing the powerful nature of a video game antagonist on a mission to destroy the world that’s stressful. Kareena Kapoor is captivating, bringing charisma to a woman that falls in love with a superhero causing a dilemma. Lastly, Dalip Tahil merits appreciation. As a video game manager, he is unforgettable.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Ra.One” can’t quite honour superheroes embarking on a mission. If there is a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks a strong ending. It’s an over-the-top conclusion that fails to bring the movie towards a satisfying resolution. Whereas this ending enhanced Rakesh Roshan’s “Krrish”, it clashes with the tone of this movie. Comic-book films thrive on their memorable conclusions, and in this regard “Ra.One” falls short of expectations. Therefore, “Ra.One” is one of those Indian movies not everyone will adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Shah Rukh Khan will absolutely enjoy “Ra.One” and so would audiences seeking heartfelt entertainment. A brilliant Bollywood blockbuster, it honours a beloved Indian actor.
Nearly 15 years following the release of an iconic Bollywood movie about a superhero embarking on a mission to save the world from destruction, it’s a bold reminder of a beloved Indian actor that has established an enduring reputation through abilities to play compelling characters in iconic films that are definitely without a doubt worthy of appreciation.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 