Mani Ratnam’s Raavan set for 2009 release
Mani Ratnam’s Raavan, a modern take on the Indian epic, Ramayana, is set to be released in 2009.
The movie stars Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Vikram, Manisha Koirala, Govinda, Ravi Kishan, Tejaswini Kolhapure, and Ajay Gehi.
Aishwarya Rai and Vikram on the sets of Raavan Pic: The Telegraph
Written By Mani Ratnam and Rensil D’Silva, and directed by Mani Ratnam, the movie is being shot simultaneously as Raavan in Hindi and Ashokavanam in Tamil, in a bungalow in Agarpara.
Photo: Abhishek Bachchan's Raavan look
Abhishek Bachchan plays the titular role of Raavan, Aishwarya Rai plays the role of Sita, and Vikram the role of Ram. The story of the movie has been kept under wraps, but reports say that Aishwarya Rai plays a talented carnatic musician in both Raavan and Ashokavanam.
Vikram who will play a character based on Ram in Raavan
Govinda is said to play the role of Hanuman. He is a forest officer who guides Vikram through forests in search of a criminal, presumably played by Abhishek Bachchan. Ravi Kishan and Ajay Gehi play versions of Ravana’s brothers Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana.
Previously, Mani Ratnam had made the huge hit Dalapati in both Tamil and Hindi. The movie was a contemporary version of the Mahabharata, with Rajnikanth’s character (Surya) similar to that of Karna, and Mamooty’s character (Devarajan) similar to that of Duryodhan.
Arvind Swamy’s character was clearly based on that of Arjun. He is even called Arjun in the movie. Interesting, Dalapathi was more the story of Karna, rather than that of the usual culprit, Arjun. It was this angle that made the movie so powerful, apart from a bravura performance by Rajnikanth.
One expects that Mani Ratnam’s Raavan, too, will tell the story of the much-pilloried man, in a balanced light.
Ravan was considered an accomplished scholar and author. He was supposed to be proficient in Political Science, and is said to have authored a book on Astrology called Kaali Kitab.
The role places a lot of responsibility on the junior Bachchan. Reports say that Abhishek Bachchan is working very hard to look right for the role. He is said to have shed 15 kilos, cropped his hair short, and grown a moustache.
Raavan’s music will be composed by AR Rahman.
The climax of the movie is being shot in the Vedic village in the outskirts of Kolkata, and in the city.
Dhun stars Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, directed by Rajiv menon | DWS Movies said on Monday, March 2, 2009, 7:02
[...] Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai are currently shooting for Mani Ratnam’s Ravan, which will be released in [...]
dilani said on Monday, May 4, 2009, 6:19
Hope the character of ‘ Raavan’ will not be destroyed by this movie as a ‘ villain’ but will be highlighted as person with extraordinary talents and wisdom who will not be born to this world for millions of years.
dilani said on Monday, May 4, 2009, 6:28
Hope the character of ‘ Raavan’ will not be destroyed by this movie as a ‘ villain’ but will be highlighted as a person with extraordinary talents and wisdom who will not be born to this world for millions of years.
nikhil said on Friday, May 29, 2009, 7:19
waiting to see vikram and prithviraj in hindi movie. anxiously waiting for the movie
Bipasha Basu as Mandodari in Mani Ratnam's Raavan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Vikram, Govinda | DWS Movies said on Thursday, September 17, 2009, 11:45
[...] there) in the movie. In case you are wondering what an item number is doing in a mythological film, Raavan is a modern-day adaptation of the epic Ramayana, from Raavan’s point of [...]