RANAM ARAM THAVAREL – REVIEW
Cast: Vaibhav Reddy, Nandita Swetha, Tanya Hope, Saras Menon, Suresh Chakravarthi
Director: Sherief
Tamil cinema loves a good investigative thriller, and on paper, Ranam Aram Thavarel has all the necessary ingredients. A gifted but troubled facial reconstruction artist with a knack for psychic visions? Check. Gruesome murders involving dismembered body parts in neat little boxes? Check. A determined lady cop and a mysterious, overarching conspiracy? You bet. So, where does Ranam trip over its own ambitions?
Let’s start with our hero, Shiva (Vaibhav). Haunted by a murky past – a past that grants him unique, if unsettling, abilities – he’s Tamil cinema’s latest brooding genius with a drinking problem. There’s potential here, but like the blaring background score throughout the film, Ranam can’t seem to find a quiet moment. Every time Shiva slips into one of his seizures, the slow transition undermines the potential for building suspense.
Then there’s Shiva’s buddy, who primarily acts as his personal chauffeur. While meant to provide some lighthearted moments, his attempts at humor don’t always hit the mark. Similarly, Inspector Induja (Tanya Hope), while showcasing a determined attitude, finds herself in situations that strain believability and leave her actions feeling contrived. She’s the ‘tough lady cop’ who is perpetually bamboozled by events.
Still, Vaibhav brings a haunted intensity to his portrayal of Shiva, conveying the character’s burdened past and conflicted nature. He’s still, animated, and robotic all within the space of a single scene, which is quite the achievement. Tanya Hope embodies the spirit of a driven police officer. Nandita Swetha also provides a solid turn as the mom.
Here’s the thing: Ranam starts with a promising premise that sets the stage for an engaging thriller. However, while it could have been a satisfying, if familiar, entry in the genre, the film loses its initial momentum. The second half introduces a backstory that becomes overly convoluted, overshadowing the mystery and opting for lengthy explanations rather than trusting the audience to piece things together.
If you’re a fan of investigative thrillers and appreciate their classic elements, Ranam might offer moments of intrigue. Its promising premise and strong performances hint at the potential for a gripping thriller, though some execution choices hold it back.