'RAM', standing for Rapid Action Mission, is the latest action thriller in the town. Released in theatres on Republic Day, the film attempts to tap into the prevailing Hindu nationalist sentiment. Let's find out how:
Plot:
Ram (debutant Surya Ayyalasomayajula) is a happy-go-lucky youngster who starts wooing a beautiful doctor named Janhvi (Dhanya Balakrishna). By a quirk of fate, Janhvi's father JB (Bhanu Chander), a special anti-terror officer on the verge of retirement, is a die-hard fan of Ram's father, the late martyr Major Surya Prakash. Driven by circumstances, Ram is forced to get trained in armed combat. He reluctantly takes to anti-terror operations because he is destined to play a stellar role in making India Jihad-free.
Meanwhile, at Hindustan Intra Defence, a special anti-terror agency, its sincere but helpless chief (played by Sai Kumar) is intimidated by the forces of the global Leftist-Jihadi ecosystem.
Performances:
Newcomer Surya needs to put on some weight so that his screen presence feels complete. He is better in the emotional scenes in the second half compared to the rom-com scenes in the first half. The character he takes on carries a diverse set of acting challenges: he is tasked with delivering comedy, engaging in action sequences, and conveying emotions in intense scenes. Considering his recent entry into the field, achieving a flawless performance might have been an unrealistic expectation.
Dhanya Balakrishna's character could have been shorn of cliches. The 'Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu' actress is good overall. Bhanu Chander and Sai Kumar show finesse, with the latter stealing the show in an emotional scene where he expresses his frustration as a dutiful, patriotic Muslim officer. Subhalekha Sudhakar is limited to an extended cameo as a politician who might be a puppet. Ravi Varma and Amit Kumar Tiwari play blood-curdling, hate-spewing terrorists.
Analysis:
Director Mihiraam Vynateyaa takes a departure from the conventional hero-centric thriller template. In the initial half, it's Bhanu Chander's character that serves as a cornerstone for the male protagonist. The script is infused with elements such as martyrdom in action, soldiers sacrificing for the motherland, personal loss, nostalgia, dormant memories of a late elder, and overarching themes of sacrifice and nationalism, transcending mere patriotism.
The film distinguishes itself from typical action thrillers centered on thwarting Jihadist conspiracies through heroic sleuths and patriotic soldiers. Instead, it delves into the realm of socio-political ideology, particularly the discourse surrounding Hindutva-powered perspectives. The characters refer to Hindutva keyboard warriors' pet issues such as UPSC jihad (without using the term), the capture of academic institutions by the Leftist-Islamist combine, and why the people of India need to be alert to the global conspiracy against India. At the same time, the film is mellowed and responsible enough to say that Islam and nationalism are compatible. There is also an ordinary Muslim who helps the hero at a crucial juncture.
While 'RAM' rails against illegal immigrants from Pakistan and Bangladesh finding a place in voters lists across India (with the alleged connivance of the system), it also tempers the narrative by stressing the importance of Hindu-Indian Muslim co-existence.
On the flip side, the plotting lacks the required tightness. At a time when anti-terrorism flicks/web series have been made by Bollywood and streaming giants now and then, 'RAM' should have ensured that there was no place for logical loopholes.
Vox Verdict:
'RAM' tries to cash in on the prevailing socio-political mood informed by Hindutva and cultural nationalism. If you want to know how it does, its second hour might interest you.
Rating: 2.75 / 5
