Casting : Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, Anandhi, Prabhu, Deepa Shankar, Ilavarasu, Sanjay Saravanan
Directed By : Vikram Sugumaran
Music By : Justin Prabhakaran
Produced By : Kannan Ravi
In a village in Ramanathapura district, even though there is inequality in the streets like upper street and lower street, people are living in unity without any inequality in mind. But the politicians hatch a conspiracy to divide the united villagers for political gains. Friends who would give their lives for friendship, Shanthanu on the upper street and Sanjay Saravanan on the lower street, turn into deadly enemies due to the conspiracies of the politicians.
Will their enmity turn into a fire that ignites the entire village, and will the politicians’ conspiracy succeed in the end? Or did Shanthan and Sanjay Saravanan change their minds after learning about the plot? It is ‘Ravana Kottam’ that says that.
Actor Shanthanu, who started his film journey with failure, has played the hero after about 15 years. Shantanu, who speaks Tamil from Ramanathapura district, has done his best to do justice to the character.
‘Kayal’ Anandi, who is playing the heroine, comes and goes in her usual style like her childish laugh and speech.
Debutant Sanjay Saravanan, who is playing the second lead in the film, is playing a lead role for the first time, but he has done it without showing it on his face.
Both Prabhu, who plays the role of the leader of the upper-street people, and Irasasu, who plays the role of the leader of the lower-street people, make us notice the characters through their experienced performances.
Both Aruldas, who plays the role of MLA, and PL Thenappan, who plays the role of a minister, are perfect choices for the role. Though fashion designer Satya NJ is noticed in a different look, it doesn’t stand out due to less dialogue and lack of proper opportunity.
The actor playing the role of Mari has done his job flawlessly. But the breakthrough character of the film did not get much attention as a newcomer was cast instead of an important actor.
Cinematographer Vetrivel Mahendran traveled with the story but did not shoot the scenes grandly. Especially the way the death of the leaders from both communities and their funerals were shown was a huge disappointment.
The music by Justin Prabhakaran is mediocre and the background music is terrible.
It is very disappointing that Vikram Sukumaran, who has written and directed in a way that exposes the politics and corporate business behind the caste riots, mostly speaks in favor of the upper-street people and glorifies them.
The scenes show that the actors have worked hard for the stunts, kabaddi game etc. in the film. The dialogues and visuals about the corporate business behind the Simaikaruvela trees which are responsible for the Ramanathapura water crisis draw attention.
At the same time, even though it is a village that lives in unity without caste division, the scenes and verses in praise of the leader of the Meleteru people are one-sided. Moreover, many verses such as “We are only thinking about how to take the life we have given”, “We are the ones who gave you rice and gave you a place to live” are demeaning to the people of the lower street and are the height of caste hatred.
Director Vikram Sukumaran, who designed the screenplay and visuals to promote caste hatred among the people in the name of ‘I have said good things to the people and society’, though he lost as a director through this film, he won the hearts of the people on the street.
