Although the spy thriller presents slowly, viewers are kept interested by the compelled mystery and strong performances. In this gripping story of espionage, connections with family and patriotism, Aayush Sharma shines.
Ruslaan Movie Review:
Star Casts: Aayush Sharma (Ruslaan), Vidya Malavade (Mantra), Sushrii Mishraa (Ruslaan’s romantic partner), Jagapathi Babu (Sameer Singh)
Director: Karan L Butani
What’s Good: The story does not devolve into cliches about patriotism or jingoism.
What’s Bad: The story loses momentum at times, making the pacing inconsistent.
To Watch or Not?: If you enjoy spy thrillers with a mix of action and mystery, it’s worth a watch.
Language: Hindi
Available On: Theatrical release
Runtime: 139 Minutes
The Story: A Redemptive Journey
Ruslaan informs the story of a young man whose life is shattered by the tragic death of his parents in 2004 against the backdrop of terrorism and espionage. Ruslaan (Aayush Sharma) witnesses his father being shot and killed by ATS officers after he received a false accusation of a terrorist attack. Growing up under the guidance of Sameer Singh (Jagapathi Babu), the ATS chief who directed the mission to kill his father, this tragic event haunts him.
Against the wishes of his adoptive father, Ruslaan secretly enlists in the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) as an adult. He dedicates himself to protecting his country in an attempt to show that being the terrorist’s son does not define him. Ruslaan must clear his name and show his devotion to India, but things take an unexpected turn when he gets caught up in a conspiracy.
Character Analysis: Strong Leads and Supporting Roles
- Aayush Sharma as Ruslaan: Aayush portrays Ruslaan as a man divided between duty and personal suffering. Aayush does a good job of managing the emotional strain of the role, and his intriguing character arc resulting from a difficult childhood to turn into a spy is essential. Though his character could use additional complexity in emotional scenes, he glows in scenes of violence.
- Jagapathi Babu as Sameer Singh: In his role as the strict yet soft adoptive father, Jagapathi Babu gives a powerful performance. An engaging depth to the story is added by his character’s internal struggle between loving and doubting Ruslaan.
- Vidya Malavade as Mantra: Vidya plays Ruslaan’s RAW reporting officer, offering a balanced portrayal of a mentor figure. However, her character is underutilized, and more screen time could have developed her dynamic with Ruslaan better.
- Sushrii Mishraa as Love Interest: While her presence adds a subplot of romance, the chemistry between her and Aayush feels forced. Nevertheless, she supports the narrative and helps drive certain emotional moments.
Patriotism, Loyalty, and Redemption Are the Film’s Themes
Ruslaan concentrates on the themes of national loyalty and the search for reconciliation. The main focus of the movie is the protagonist’s resolve to clear his father’s name and establish his worth. The idea of inherited guilt is also examined in the movie, specifically whether the sins of the father should define the son. Ruslaan differs from previous spy thrillers in that it refrains from overly demonizing other countries, eschewing jingoistic cliches in favor of pointing out the main character’s personal and national struggle.
Visual Style and Cinematography
The movie has good, if not revolutionary, cinematography. The color scheme changes during action-packed scenes from vibrant colors to darker tones in the opening scenes. Although it sometimes seems overdone, slow motion enhances the force of Aayush Sharma’s punches and kicks during fight scenes. The film’s visual appeal is made better by the change of location from Mumbai to Azerbaijan, which gives sweeping shots of foreign cityscapes and landscapes that give the impression of international spying.
Tone and Pacing: Hits and Misses
The majority of the movie has a serious tone, but there are also suspenseful and poignant moments. The pacing, though, is unstable. Character development and the mystery surrounding the elusive terrorist Kasim take up most of the first forty-five minutes of the film. A thrilling lift fight sequence launches the plot, but in the second part, it stumbles once more, particularly when Ruslaan gets away with his challenges far too easily. The overall tension is impacted by this unpredictable timing, which makes the audience less engaged at crucial points.
Sound Design and Special Effects
While functional, the sound design is not impressive. Sometimes the background music dominates the story, especially during important action scenes, which lessens the scene’s intensity. The second half uses less music, which aids in keeping the audience’s attention on the narrative. Though not very inventive, the special effects are well done, especially during the fight scenes.
Story Structure: Promising but Faltering in Execution
Shiva is the scriptwriter, and Karan Lalit Butani is in charge of the direction. There are many twists in the story, particularly when it comes to Kasim’s real identity. The climax is less powerful, though, because the twist seems a little hurried and there are some logical cracks in the story. Though some of the dialogue about sacrifice and patriotism falls flat, the writers do their best to make the climax emotionally charged. The movie’s ending may have had greater impact if the writing had been smoother.
Direction and Acting
Ruslaan is directed by Karan Lalit Butani with a strong emphasis on action. He delivers expertly choreographed fight scenes by utilizing Aayush Sharma’s physicality to maximum effect. The story’s emotional center isn’t sufficiently looked at, though. The director steers clear of the usual patriotic grandstanding, which is refreshing, but the whole experience could have been enhanced by paying closer attention to the motion.
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