Raavan

Ken Russell once said:
"You can get away with indifferent photography, you can get away with unimaginative cast, pedestrian editing and uninspired music but what you can't get away within process of film making is a bad script and a weak screenplay."

Raavan proves this statement. Cream of Indian cinema industry came together for a concept which even after thousands of years is fresh, interesting and one of the most talked about subjects across the globe. Cast comprised of well known actors from Bollywood, Tamil, Telugu, Bhojpuri industries; the crew loaded with visionary, decorated and the best technicians. Inspite of this, the end product delivered was not accepted by audience.
The thing to be appreciated is the cinematography and the locations where the movie is shot. No other Indian movie till has such beautiful location. I wish to visit those locations specially the one in which Abhishek and Aishwarya are standing infront of Vishnuji's idol near a river. Topping was rain effect which made the scenes more beautiful.
 Major factor for the unsuccess was the publicity through which it was clear that the story is based on the epic Ramayan and the promos were stamp on it. Print and electronic media said Vikram is Ram, Aishwarya is Sita, Abhishek is Raavan, Govinda as Hanuman, Nikhil as Laxman through which audience had a clear idea what the story is and expected a new and advanced version of it. This was proved when the movie started and the characters were introduced in the same fashion like Beera (Raavan) kidnapping Ragini (Sita), Dev (Ram) starts a search operation with Hemant (Laxman) and Sanjeevani (Hanuman) helping them. Few more roles were of Siddharth (Ravi Kishan) and Hari (Ajay Gehi) who was brother of Beera like Vibhishan and  Kumbhkarna. There was a feel of Ramayan till interval. After that Sanjeevani somehow reaches Ragini same as Hanuman reached Sita, also in the end Dev suspects Ragini which was as per Ramayana. The movie would have been appriciated and liked by the audience if it was titled "Beera" instead of "Raavan."
Talking about the story, the writer had an idea that he has to compare his story and characters with Ramayana which ofcourse was a very strong concept. But the story failed and had loop holes. Raavan's intension was to take revenge but he saves Dev and also leaves Hemant who were responsible for her sister's suicide. In Ramayan we read, heard and saw that Raavan never agreed for a peace discussion and was never afraid. There is one situation in story where Hari says that we should agree on the peace discussion and also said Beera "you are our power, pride and honour but today you are the one who is in fear."
The story and screenplay says that Sita fell in love with Raavan and was ready to live with him also Ram and Laxman were grey shade characters which is very different to the original one.
About characters, because of a weak screenplay the characters were not used properly like Govinda, a powerful actor, in 2 hours 19 min. of movie was seen for 15-20 min. He had a very imporatant character to be played but his was like a special appearance. Editing was also an issue. The lead performer Abhishek Bacchan acted very well but in very few scenes one can easily encounter his weakness. No doubt on Aishwarya Rai Bacchan and Vikram's performances, great acting, powerful persentation.
Although music was good with brilliant work by Gulzaar sahaab and A.R.Rahman. Good songs and background score, locations and good camera work were among the positives in a relatively average performance.

It is indeed difficult to answer the question asked in "!dea cellular" commercial as to "Who is the Raavan in the Movie??"

No one can be a winner everytime, although this was Mani Ratinam's vision but  I'm still waiting for his next coz may be this movie failed but I know his next will break records as "Mani Ratnam" is known for creating "Masterpieces."