Raatchasi
Raatchasi (transl. Demonness) is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language drama film, written and directed by Syed Gowthamraj and produced by S. R. Prakashbabu and S. R. Prabhu under the banner of Dream Warrior Pictures.[1] This film stars Jyothika in the lead role,[2] while Hareesh Peradi, Poornima Bhagyaraj, Sathyan, Nagineedu, and Aruldoss playing supporting roles. The music was composed by Sean Roldan with editing by Philomin Raj and cinematography by Gokul Benoy. Upon the film's release on 5 July 2019, it received positive reviews.
Raatchasi | |
---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Sy Gowthamraj |
Produced by | S. R. Prakashbabu S. R. Prabhu |
Written by | Sy Gowthamraj |
Starring | Jyothika |
Music by | Sean Roldan |
Cinematography | Gokul Benoy |
Edited by | Philomin Raj |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Dream Warrior Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 136 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Tamil |
Plot
The film is about a headmaster converting a poorly run school into one of the best in the state.
Cast
- Jyothika as Headmistress Geetha Rani (Ammu)[3]
- Hareesh Peradi as Ramalingam
- Poornima Bhagyaraj as Susheela
- Sathyan as PT Master
- Nagineedu as Geetha Rani's father
- Aruldoss as Politician
- Kavitha Bharathi as Assistant Headmaster
- Vazhakku En Muthuraman as Math Teacher
- Mathew Varghese as Collector
- Master Kamalesh as Kathir
- Sathyajith as Deepak Raj
- Yasar as Politician's son
- Nitish Veera as Ramalingam's nephew
- Akalya Venkatesan
- Rail Ravi
Production
Raatchasi is the debut movie for the director Sy Gowthamraj.[4] Cinematography is handled by Gokul Benoy, editing by Philomin Raj and music is composed by Sean Roldan.[5] Jyothika is playing the role of headmistress of a Government school.[3] First look poster and trailer of this movie was released in May 2019. Initially the producers announced that this movie would be released in June 2019, later they confirmed that the movie will be released on Friday 5 July 2019.[6]
Soundtrack
Raatchasi | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Soundtrack album by | ||||
Released | 20 June 2019 | |||
Recorded | 2019 | |||
Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
Length | 18:27 | |||
Language | Tamil | |||
Producer | Sean Roldan | |||
Sean Roldan chronology | ||||
|
The soundtrack, composed by Sean Roldan, released on 20 June 2019 and features 5 songs. The lyrics were penned by Yugabharathi, Thanikodi, Sean Roldan and Sy.Gowthamraj.
Track | Song | Singer(s) | Duration | Lyricist | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Rekka Namakku" | Srinidhi S | 4:12 | Sy.Gowthamraj | |
2 | "Nee Yen Nanbanae" | Brindha Sivakumar | 3:28 | Yugabharathi | |
3 | "Kondatam" | Sean Roldan, Bamba Bhagya | 4:22 | Thanikodi | |
4 | "Thadai Illai Odu" | Rahul Nambiar | 3:07 | Yugabharathi | |
5 | "Sigarame" | Sean Roldan | 3:18 | Sean Roldan |
Critical reception
The film opened to positive reviews from both critics and audiences.[7] Behindwoods gave the film 2.5 out of 5 starts and stated "Jyotika's performance is clean throughout and the clarity she brings to screen is impeccable. She steals the show with good dialogue delivery and body language. The film could have been way better if the story was treated well and the screenplay was more engaging."[8] Sify.com rated the film 3 out 5 stars and explained "Raatchasi works mainly because of Jyotika, as her performance is solid and sincere. She is in there in every frame and is in superb form. She has even put on a little weight to look convincing as a teacher. Though it takes some time to sync with her character, slowly she grabs our attention and makes us travel along with her. Watch it for the topical message, sharp dialogues and an earnest Jyotika."[9] Times of India summarised the film by saying "Jyotika’s performance as the dutiful teacher is the prime saving grace of this preachy film" and gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars.[10] Indiaglitz wrote "Sy. Gowthamraj makes a respectable debut armed with genuine knowledge of the issues he has taken up and filming it as honestly as he could. The lack of finesse can be forgiven for the strong content and messages".[11] Indiatoday wrote "Jyothika's Raatchasi is a film that touches upon pressing issues that are plaguing government schools. Along with being predictable, the film lacks a strong screenplay to hold everyone's attention. Raatchasi is a one-time watch".[12] Ananda vikatan Says, "Teacher crush, Heroinsm, special wish for dealt the Educational Development".[13] Film Companion South wrote "When will our directors learn that good intentions cannot make a good movie? Or that relentless music (Sean Roldan is the composer) isn’t enough to make us “feel” if there’s no emotional connect with the characters?...it’s great that Jyotika is cherry-picking projects that indulge in a fair bit of “heroine worship”...but she really needs better scripts".[14]Firstpost rated 2.5 out of 5 stars stating "Raatchasi skims through issues plaguing the education system and offers a one-woman army as the solution".[15]News18 rated 1.5 out of 5 stars stating "Jyothika makes it bearable".[16]The Hindu stated "Raatchasi is well-intentioned no doubt — films like these are constant reminders of the need to upgrade our government schools - but it needs more finesse, more heart".[17]The Indian Express rated 2 out of 5 stars stating "Raatchasi could have been a better film if the director understood the screenplay and characters were as important as ‘messages’".[18]Hindustan Times rated 2.5 out of 5 stars stating "Despite an earnest effort by actor Jyotika, the film’s dependence on melodrama and message-heavy dialogues makes it an effort to watch".[19]Cinema Express rated 2 out of 5 stars stating "After an efficient beginning, Raatchasi settles into a dull, comfortable zone, where familiar demons get addressed, and not particularly in enterprising ways".[20]The News Minute rated 2 out of 5 stars stating "Jyothika's Geetha Rani is a refreshing character but the film does not rise above the predictable one-line story of a teacher turning a school around".[21]Deccan Chronicle rated 2.5 out of 5 stars stating "Sean Rolden’s music and Gokul Binoy’s cinematography capture the right mood of the film".[22]
The film's release also had gone viral among Malaysian social media users because of the film's storyline, to the point where the Education Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Maszlee Malik praised the film for its social relevance after watching the film alongside with his officers. Lead actress Jyothika penned a letter thanking Dr. Mazlee for his support on the film through her husband's Twitter account.[23][24][25][26][27] On September 30, the team of Raatchasi was invited by Dr. Maszlee for a special screening at TGV Setiawalk, Puchong which are also attended by deputy of Education Minister of Malaysia, Teo Nie Ching and other education officers.[28][29]
The Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Association has demanded a ban on the movie, saying that the film portrays government school teachers in negative light, and discourages parents from enrolling their children to government schools in the state. The head of the association’s Chennai wing, and other office bearers – A Arjunan, T Ramajayam, S Gokulkrishnan, C Sreedhar, K Ramesh and B Jagan met the Chennai City Commissioner and demanded a stay order on the film and the removal of controversial scenes and dialogues.[30]
Awards & honours
- 2019 – Behindwoods Gold Medal Award for Best Actor Lead Role(Female)- [31]
- 2019 –Edison Award for Best Actress [31][32][33]
- Director SY Gowtham Raj won the JFW award 2020 for the best director in a women-centric film for Raatchasi [34] Best women-centric film
- Raatchasi bagged the Best women centric film JFW award 2020 [34]
- 2019 – Nominated - Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award for Best Actress [35][36]
- 2019 JFW Award for Best Actress - Women Centric Film[37]
- Screened in Indian film festival of South Korea (October 16 and 20 in Seoul)
- Zee Tamil Award Nominated for three Category (Favorite Heroine, Best actress and Best Child actor) [38]
- Vikatan Cinema Viruthugal - Nominated for 5 Categories (Actress, Debut Director, Child actor, Dialogue, Best production) [39]
- Raatchasi Special Screening for Malaysian officials with minister [40]
References
- "First look of Jyotika's 'Raatchasi' – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- https://silverscreen.in/news/jyothika-to-play-school-teacher-in-her-upcoming-film-ratchasi/
- "'Raatchasi' trailer: Jyothika goes back to school for her latest movie". Scroll.in. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- "Raatchasi trailer is a woman on a mission". www.thenewsminute.com. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- "Jyothika's Raatchasi movie official trailer video". Behindwoods. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- "Jyotika's 'Raatchasi' to release on July 5". Sify. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
- https://www.ibtimes.co.in/raatchasi-movie-review-here-what-netizens-say-about-jyothika-starrer--800991
- https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/raatchasi/raatchasi-review.html External link in
|title=
(help) - https://www.sify.com/movies/raatchasi-review-topical-message-sharp-dialogues-and-an-earnest-jyotika-review-tamil-thfkuBgcfhief.html External link in
|title=
(help) - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/raatchasi/movie-review/70080721.cms External link in
|title=
(help) - https://www.indiaglitz.com/raatchasi-review-tamil-movie-22773
- https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/raatchasi-movie-review-jyothika-is-the-saving-grace-of-this-dreary-film-1562419-2019-07-05
- https://www.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/raatchasi-movie-review.html External link in
|title=
(help) - "Raatchasi Movie Review: Jyotika Lectures Her Way Through A Patience-Testing Drama On Education". Film Companion South.
- "Raatchasi movie review: Jyothika's screen presence makes this predictable film watchable". Firstpost. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- "Raatchasi Movie Review: Jyothika Can't Help This Poorly Executed Film". News18. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- "'Raatchasi' review: A well-intentioned drama that can't decide if it's a social-message film or a masala flick". The Hindu. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- "Raatchasi movie review: A preachy, predictable premise is rescued by Jyotika". The Indian Express. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- "Raatchasi movie review: Jyotika starrer is well-intentioned, relevant but not hard-hitting". Hindustan Times. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- "Raatchasi Movie Review: This well-intentioned Jyotika film is tedious and preachy". Cinema Express. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- "'Raatchasi' review: Jyothika holds together a preachy film". The News Minute. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- "Raatchasi movie review: Solid themes make it worthwhile". Deccan Chronicle. 6 July 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- "Actress Jyothika thanks Maszlee over 'Raatchasi' support". The Star. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- @Suriya_offl (5 September 2019). "With Respect and Gratitude to #Malaysian Education Minister Hon'ble Dr. Maszlee Malik from #Raatchasi Team & #Jyotika @maszlee @sy_gowthamraj @DreamWarriorpic @prabhu_sr @RSeanRoldan #MalaysianAudience" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/09/02/maszlee-says-tamil-film-raatchasi-captures-his-aspirations-for-education-in/1786614
- https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/09/518294/maszlee-praises-tamil-film-raatchasi
- "Raatchasi is a must-watch: Malaysian education minister praises Jyothika film to heavens". India Today. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- @prabhu_sr (30 September 2019). "It was an honour for #Raatchasi team to have met with the #Malaysia #education minister Shri. Maszlee Malik @maszlee . Thank you so much for inviting and appreciating personally. Meant a lot to all of us who have worked in the film" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "Raatchasi screened for Malaysian officials". Times Of India. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- https://silverscreen.in/news/teachers-association-demands-ban-on-jyotika-starrer-raatchasi/html External link in
|title=
(help) - "Jyothika - Best Actor in a Lead Role for Raatchasi | 7th BEHINDWOODS GOLD MEDALS 2019 - WINNERS!". Behindwoods. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- http://edisonawards.in/teaawards/more_1.php
- https://thenewscrunch.com/edison-awards-2020-vote-online-check-out-the-nominations-and-vote-for-your-favourite-stars/10792/
- {{ |url=https://jfwonline.com/article/twin-birds-presents-jfw-movie-awards-2020-an-unforgettable-night-with-impeccable-style-and-substance/}}
- https://www.vikatan.com/news/announcements/how-to-participate-in-ananda-vikatan-cinema-awards-2019
- https://twitter.com/Suriya_Speaks/status/1213009417580367872/photo/1
- https://jfwonline.com/awards2020.html
- {{ |url=https://thenewscrunch.com/zee-cine-awards-tamil-2020-live-updates-nominations-list-event-venue-hosts-time-schedule-award-winners-and-nominations-how-to-get-general-passes/13626/}}
- {{ |url=https://www.vikatan.com/news/announcements/how-to-participate-in-ananda-vikatan-cinema-awards-2019}}
- {{ |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/raatchasi-screened-for-malaysian-officials/articleshow/71375242.cms}}