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| Edited By: Harshada Rege |Source: DNA |Updated: Jun 24, 2016, 05:17 PM IST
Film: Raman Raghav 2.0
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Vicky Kaushal
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Raman Raghav 2.0 is based on the notorious serial killer Raman Raghav who operated in Mumbai during the mid-1960s. Ramanna aka Raman (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) finds immense pleasure in killing helpless victims and even casually boasts about his gruesome acts. He models himself on the former serial killer. Raghavendra Singh Ubbi aka Raghav (Vicky Kaushal), a druggie cop, who is on Raman's trail, realises that the serial killer is tracking his movement too.
Kashyap welcomes you into a sadist's scary world. The director doesn't believe in overly justifying Raman. He's presented as a serial killer with cat eyes and a scar running down his forehead, who takes immense pleasure in killing people and isn't apologetic about it. There's hardly any gore or gruesomeness on screen and yet you never forget that people are being mercilessly bludgeoned to death. Nawaz shines in a part that nobody other than him could've played with such finesse and ease. Once again, Nawaz proves that he definitely is one of the best actors in the industry. He is at his vicious best feasting on a plate of chicken curry and rice after killing his own sister and her husband. Vicky Kaushal gets the nuances of his character just right. He stands out as the trigger-happy cop, who is addicted to dope and has some major daddy issues. But Nawaz's presence is such that, he overshadows everyone in the frame. Be it his body language, cocky attitude or mispronunciation of words, it all comes naturally to him, just like killing people come naturally to Raman.
Raman and Raghav are characters that you cannot empathise with and yet they are a reflection of the ugly reality of our society, which allows those with power to get away with their wrongdoings.
The movie is constructed in an interesting chapter structure and well paced. A scene where you get a clear picture of Raman's depraved mind is the one where he visits his sister. Aarti Bajaj's editing deserve a special mention, as do the writing skills of Kashyap and co-writer Vasan Bala.
The only thing that seems a little feeble is the reason behind Raman's obsession with Raghav.
Don't miss this scary and unapologetically sadistic movie where Nawaz is at his creepiest best.
