Biopics have been made in Bollywood, but on an artist is for the first time. Directed by Ketan Mehta, way back in 2008, 'Rang Rasiya' finally gets released in India.
Ketan Mehta, the man behind films like 'Sardar', 'Mangal Pandey: The Rising', 'Mirch Masala' and so on, has made another biopic. After having a good time at The Times BFI London Film Festival, finally we get to see the movie. Let's analyze how good is it?
Raja Ravi Varma (Randeep Hooda) is an artist for whom painting is worship. When he marries the princess of Kerala (Tripta Parashar), he decides to paint his wife as an inspiration. But when she demeans the art form and shoos him away, he decides to look for beauty beyond and finds it in Kamini (Rashanaa Shah), one of the servants in the palace. While she inspires him to paint one of the masterpieces that is responsible for him to win the title 'Raja' from the King of Travancore, the death of this old king leaves Ravi Varma shattered and he decides to shift base to Mumbai where he attempts to rediscover the love for art. So when he meets the gorgeous Suganda (Nandana Sen) in a temple, she becomes his inspiration for his future works. In an attempt to impress his biggest patron, the Raja of Baroda (Sameer Dharmadikari), Ravi Varma undertakes the task of showcasing Indian culture through the language of art with his paintings. While his paintings become available to the common man, the 'so called' guardians of the Hindu culture raise objection and Ravi Varma is arrested for using human face for God and also for portraying aesthetic art through nudity.
The story-screenplay (Ranjit Desai (based on his novel, 'Raja Ravi Varma'), Ketan Mehta, Sanjeev Dutta) has the artistic aesthetics to it. The final print too looks arty but mostly targets the snooty- class of audience, which I belong to, and it does not appeal to everybody. Music (Sandesh Shandilya) is quite melodious, but forgettable. The BGM is noteworthy though. Cinematography (Christo Bakalov) is mesmerising. Each frame looks alive and artistic. Direction (Ketan Mehta) is quite good too, but the ending is quite abrupt. Editing (Yves Beloniak, Pratik Chitalia) is quite apt. Stunts (M. E. Nigade) are well-coordinated. But the best parts aspects of the film are the costumes (Anurag, Niharika Khan), art work and the paintings. All of these look authentic.
Of the cast, Randeep Hooda steals the show. His chemistry with Nandana Sen is sensuous. Rest of the cast act with sincerity.
'Rang Rasiya', is a perfect example of a classy biopic on an artist, forgotten by the History. But the problem is it does not appeal to everyone's taste, unlike 'Jodhaa Akbar', directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. Go to your nearest theatre to witness this artistic movie.
Ketan Mehta, the man behind films like 'Sardar', 'Mangal Pandey: The Rising', 'Mirch Masala' and so on, has made another biopic. After having a good time at The Times BFI London Film Festival, finally we get to see the movie. Let's analyze how good is it?
Raja Ravi Varma (Randeep Hooda) is an artist for whom painting is worship. When he marries the princess of Kerala (Tripta Parashar), he decides to paint his wife as an inspiration. But when she demeans the art form and shoos him away, he decides to look for beauty beyond and finds it in Kamini (Rashanaa Shah), one of the servants in the palace. While she inspires him to paint one of the masterpieces that is responsible for him to win the title 'Raja' from the King of Travancore, the death of this old king leaves Ravi Varma shattered and he decides to shift base to Mumbai where he attempts to rediscover the love for art. So when he meets the gorgeous Suganda (Nandana Sen) in a temple, she becomes his inspiration for his future works. In an attempt to impress his biggest patron, the Raja of Baroda (Sameer Dharmadikari), Ravi Varma undertakes the task of showcasing Indian culture through the language of art with his paintings. While his paintings become available to the common man, the 'so called' guardians of the Hindu culture raise objection and Ravi Varma is arrested for using human face for God and also for portraying aesthetic art through nudity.
The story-screenplay (Ranjit Desai (based on his novel, 'Raja Ravi Varma'), Ketan Mehta, Sanjeev Dutta) has the artistic aesthetics to it. The final print too looks arty but mostly targets the snooty- class of audience, which I belong to, and it does not appeal to everybody. Music (Sandesh Shandilya) is quite melodious, but forgettable. The BGM is noteworthy though. Cinematography (Christo Bakalov) is mesmerising. Each frame looks alive and artistic. Direction (Ketan Mehta) is quite good too, but the ending is quite abrupt. Editing (Yves Beloniak, Pratik Chitalia) is quite apt. Stunts (M. E. Nigade) are well-coordinated. But the best parts aspects of the film are the costumes (Anurag, Niharika Khan), art work and the paintings. All of these look authentic.
Of the cast, Randeep Hooda steals the show. His chemistry with Nandana Sen is sensuous. Rest of the cast act with sincerity.
'Rang Rasiya', is a perfect example of a classy biopic on an artist, forgotten by the History. But the problem is it does not appeal to everyone's taste, unlike 'Jodhaa Akbar', directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. Go to your nearest theatre to witness this artistic movie.