Rann - Review

Ram Gopal Verma is back, this time with a hard-hitting exposé on the news channel wars. With a huge ensemble cast and a serious issue at hand, does he create celluloid magic?
One can safely say, this ones no candyfloss entertainer, its gritty with some great content & soul.

Vijay Harshwardhan Malik(Amitabh B) is an experienced player in the industry. He refuses to play the game and is one to abide by ethics and morality owing to which his channel has gone down. His son Jai(Sudeep) wishes to bring about change but his plans are foiled as a competitor channel owned by ex-employee Amrish Kakkar(Monish Behl) steals their ideas.
Irked by this move, Sudip takes the help of his businessman bro-in-law Navin(Rajat Kapoor) and corrupt politician Mohan Pandey(Paresh Rawal) to win the TRP battle. The story deals with how news is created and fed to the public to make money.

Along the way, the film has many characters such as Vijay's loyal fan turned employee Purab(Riteish D), over-the-top news anchor Anand Prakash(Rajpal Yadav)and sweet yet bitchy Chief Nalini(Suchitra Krishnamoorti).

The story of this film by Rohit.B is crisp with a taut narrative. The film doesn't tend to drag and remains to the point.
A special mention has to be made for the cinematography which is brilliant. Amit Roy gives the film a fresh, new feel with some innovative shots.
A big disappointment is the music score, with has a host of composers. Though in the background, few tracks spoil your viewing experience.

RGV generally casts his motley crew, but this time he goes a different way.
Amitabh simply towers above all in his intense & honest portrayal of the channel head. His monologue in the end is definitely the highlight of the film. Sadly, one does feel that he should have had meatier role.
Paresh Rawal too, delivers an ace performance and makes you love his evil persona.
South import Sudip does a dismal job. Being given the plum role of the film, he does no justice to it, bringing down the overall quality of the film. Monish Behl puts on a fine act and returns to the silver screen in great fashion.
Riteish D does his best job to date and Rajpal Yadav is entertaining in every frame.
Of the others, Rajat Kapoor does another Corporate, Suchitra K is top notch, Gul Panag-sweet and Neetu Chandra downright hilarious(she's not supposed to be).

Cult-filmmaker RGV's treatment of the film works. He provides a well finished product which is different from the rest. Not his best, yet great.

All in all, Rann not your average-Joe Friday flick. This movie doesn't only entertain, it wants you to think. Don't go in expecting Madhur Bhandarkar style glamorized truth. It is grim, it is powerful and it is definitely worth a watch.

Critcal: 3.5/5
Commercial: 3/5