Raate Movie Review

AP Arjun is known for directing good romantic movies, like Ambari and Adduri. Raate too is of the same genre but the director gives equal importance to action sequences. The first half, set in a village, is beautifully shot and is about two innocent love birds. The two come to Bengaluru to shop for their wedding and are exposed to the city’s ugly side -- a thriving kidney racket. The movie ends on a tragic note.

When Raja (Dhananjay) and Rani (Shruthi Hariharan), the young lovers from Keregodu village in Mandya, land in Bengaluru, Rani, a fan of Darshan, wants to see his hit movie Sangolli Rayanna. In the theatre, Rani goes to the toilet but doesn’t come back immediately. When she does, a shocked Raja finds one of her kidneys has been removed by racketeers. He takes them on and kills the kingpin. This upsets the deceased’s brother and in a fight with Raja, he kills him and Rani too.

Dhananjay has done very well in both romantic and action sequences. Shruthi is the pick of the lot with her excellent portrayal of an innocent village girl. Sathya Hegde’s cinematography is remarkable. V Harikrishna’s music has a couple of foot-tapping numbers.