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Rhaatee
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| Rhaatee | |
|---|---|
![]() Film poster | |
| Directed by | A. P. Arjun |
| Written by | A. P. Arjun |
| Produced by | V. Harikrishna |
| Starring | Dhananjay Shruthi Hariharan |
| Cinematography | Satya Hegde |
| Edited by | Deepu S. Kumar |
| Music by | V. Harikrishna |
Production company | Harmonium Reeds |
| Distributed by | Thoogudeepa Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 138 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Kannada |
Rhaatee (Kannada: ರಾಟೆ) is a 2015 Indian Kannada romantic action thriller film directed by A. P. Arjun and produced by V. Harikrishna, who also composed the music, under Harmonium Reeds.[1] It stars Dhananjay and Shruthi Hariharan, alongside Bullet Prakash, Raghav Uday, Suchendra Prasad and Mohan Juneja.[2] The cinematography and editing were handled by Satya Hegde and Deepu. S. Kumar.
The film was launched officially on 3 March 2013, but underwent delays and took a long time to shoot.
Rhaatee was released on 20 March 2015 and received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics.[3]
Plot
[edit]Raja and Rani are young lovers from Keregodu, and they arrive in Bangalore for their wedding shopping. Rani, who is a big fan of Darshan, wants to see his film Sangolli Rayanna in Mahadeshwara theatre. In the theatre, she goes to the washroom but doesn't return. Raja searches for her everywhere on the outskirts of Bangalore.
When Rani is found, Raja is shocked to learn that one of Rani's kidneys has been removed by illegal organ traders. Raja kills the kingpin Shankar and escapes with Rani to Muthathi forest where they are helped by their auto driver friend 24/7 Jaganna. Shankar's brother, Seena, sets out to search for them, but to no avail.
After five days, Raja and Rani escape from the forest again when some goons attack Rani. They reach Mahadeshwara theatre where Seena is informed of their location through an auto driver. A combat ensues which results in Raja and Rani being brutally killed by Seena. Jaganna, who was doing wedding shopping reaches the theatre, only to find them dead and gets devastated.
Cast
[edit]- Dhananjay as Raja
- Shruthi Hariharan as Rani
- Bullet Prakash as 24/7 Jaganna
- Suchendra Prasad as Inspector
- Mohan Juneja as Constable Shivappa
- Raghav Uday as Seena, Shankar's brother
Soundtrack
[edit]| Rhaatee | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |
| Released | November 2014 |
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack |
| Length | 19:38 |
| Label | D Beats |
| Producer | V. Harikrishna |
Music composer V. Harikrishna was roped in to score for both the score and soundtrack consisting of six tracks.[4] Actor Sudeepa recorded one song for the film in Chennai.[5] The lyrics for the tracks were written by A. P. Arjun and Yogaraj Bhat.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ratti Patta" | A. P. Arjun | Vani Harikrishna, Santhosh Venky | 4:33 |
| 2. | "Raja Rani (male)" | A. P. Arjun | Santhosh Venky | 3:26 |
| 3. | "Jodi Hakki" | A. P. Arjun | Sudeepa | 3:23 |
| 4. | "Nanna Bennalina" | Yogaraj Bhat | Sonu Nigam | 3:39 |
| 5. | "Raja Rani (female)" | A. P. Arjun | Shreya Ghoshal | 3:26 |
| 6. | "Devaru Illada" | A. P. Arjun | Santhosh Venky | 1:11 |
| Total length: | 19:38 | |||
References
[edit]- ^ "Raate Launched". Chitraloka. 3 May 2013. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ "Dhananjay in demand". The Times of India. 16 April 2013. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ "20 Kannada Films to Fight for January Release". The New Indian Express. 30 December 2014. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ "Rhaatee (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – EP". iTunes. 3 May 2016. Archived from the original on 17 March 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
- ^ "Kichcha Sudeep sings for RAATE – Cineloka Exclusive". Cineloka. 28 November 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
External links
[edit]Rhaatee
View on GrokipediaStory and characters
Plot summary
Rhaatee follows the story of Raja and Rani, two young lovers from the rural village of Keregodu in Mandya district, whose idyllic romance is shattered by urban perils.[6] Living simple lives in their village—Raja as a cable operator and Rani as a devoted fan of actor Darshan, whose films inspire her dreams and choices—they decide to marry and travel to Bangalore for wedding shopping.[6][7] Rani's fandom leads them to Mahadeshwara theatre to watch Darshan's film Sangolli Rayanna, highlighting the contrast between their innocent rural existence and the bustling, dangerous city life.[6] While at the theatre, Rani steps away to the washroom and becomes a victim of a ruthless organ trafficking ring, who steal one of her kidneys in a swift and horrifying operation.[6] Devastated and fueled by protective rage, Raja embarks on a vengeful quest against the traffickers, ultimately confronting and killing the kingpin, Shankar, in a brutal showdown.[6] The couple flees to the Muthathi forest seeking refuge, but their respite is short-lived as Shankar's brother, Seena, tracks them down for retaliation.[8][9] In a climactic confrontation back at Mahadeshwara theatre, Seena ambushes Raja and Rani, leading to a fierce combat that ends in the tragic deaths of both lovers, underscoring the fatal consequences of their romantic devotion amid the horrors of organ trafficking.[9] The narrative weaves themes of rural-urban disparity, the devastating reality of illegal organ trade in cities, and how unwavering love can spiral into irreversible tragedy.[6]Cast and roles
Dhananjay portrays Raja, a protective rural lover from the village of Keregodu who works as a cable operator, delivering a heartwarming performance that highlights his character's devotion and transition into vengeful action sequences.[8][6] His chemistry with the female lead underscores the film's themes of love and betrayal, marking an early showcase of his versatility in Kannada cinema.[8] Shruthi Hariharan plays Rani, a devoted and innocent village girl who is an ardent fan of actor Darshan, offering an emotionally charged portrayal that captures her character's vulnerability amid urban challenges.[6][8] Her performance stands out for its depth, contributing significantly to the tragic elements and the exploration of love's fragility in the narrative.[6] In a supporting role, Bullet Prakash appears as Jaganna, the comic relief sidekick whose emotional undertones provide levity and balance to the ensemble, enhancing the themes of camaraderie and tragedy through his humorous yet heartfelt delivery.[8] Raghav Uday embodies the antagonist Shankar, the organ trafficking kingpin, delivering a menacing performance that amplifies the film's tension and themes of betrayal with his intense portrayal of ruthless authority.[8][7] Suchendra Prasad takes on the role of the inspector, a key ally figure whose strong and authoritative presence supports the story's tragic arcs and moral conflicts.[8] Mohan Juneja plays Constable Shivappa, contributing to the supporting ensemble as a law enforcement ally whose role aids in highlighting the themes of justice and loss.[10]Production
Development and writing
The project for Rhaatee was launched on 3 May 2013, marking A.P. Arjun's third directorial venture following the commercial successes of Ambari (2009) and Addhuri (2012).[11] Arjun penned the screenplay himself, drawing inspiration from a real-life story to explore the theme of safeguarding love, while integrating rural romance with thriller elements centered on an organ trafficking racket—specifically a kidney trade operation in Bengaluru.[12][6] The film marked composer V. Harikrishna's debut as a producer under his Harmonium Reeds banner.[12] Post-announcement, production encountered significant delays, extending nearly two years before completion, as Arjun prioritized refining the narrative for greater depth and quality.[13]Casting process
The casting process for Rhaatee commenced shortly after the completion of the script, with director A. P. Arjun prioritizing actors who could embody the rural and romantic essence of the story. Daali Dhananjay, fresh off his debut in Director's Special (2013), was selected for the lead role of Raja due to his rising popularity and ability to portray relatable everyman characters, marking a key step in his transition to more prominent projects.[14] Multiple filmmakers had approached him post-debut, leading to his casting in this film under V. Harikrishna's banner.[14] For the female lead of Rani, auditions were held for several candidates, focusing on a Kannada-speaking actress suitable for a village girl role. Sruthi Hariharan, a newcomer at the time, was chosen before her own debut film's release, praised for her expressive eyes, smile, and on-screen chemistry with Dhananjaya, which was likened to established pairs like Dhruv Sarja and Radhika Pandit.[15] She had been considered for another project, Bajarangi, but committed to Rhaatee instead, highlighting her fresh appeal in romantic leads.[15] Supporting roles were filled to balance humor, intensity, and experience. Bullet Prakash, renowned for his comedic timing in Kannada cinema, was cast in a humorous supporting part to provide levity amid the thriller elements.[16] Antagonist Raghav Uday (also credited as Uday Raghav) was selected for his ability to deliver intense performances, drawing from his prior success in villainous roles like in Jayammana Maga (2013).[8] Veteran actor Suchendra Prasad joined as the inspector, bringing his established gravitas to a pivotal authority figure.[17] Behind the camera, cinematographer Satya Hegde was brought on board to craft the film's distinctive visual style, emphasizing stunning natural backdrops like forests and waterfalls in locations such as Muthathi and Bangalore outskirts, which were captured to evoke a sense of poetic realism.[18] Editor Deepu S. Kumar handled post-production pacing, ensuring the narrative's romantic and action sequences flowed seamlessly despite the film's extended timeline from shooting in 2013 to release in 2015.[17] The production, marking V. Harikrishna's debut as a producer, emphasized incorporating new talents alongside seasoned crew to foster innovative storytelling in Kannada cinema.[19] These decisions were influenced by the script's character requirements, though finalizing the ensemble faced hurdles from the project's delays, which stretched over two years and required adjustments to schedules.[20]Filming and post-production
Principal photography for Rhaatee was conducted primarily in Karnataka, featuring rural settings in Keregodu village in Mandya district, urban scenes in Bangalore, and key sequences at the Male Mahadeshwara Hills.[7][9] The production schedule spanned multiple months, with filming commencing after the official launch in early 2013 and facing delays that pushed the completion to late 2014.[21] Action sequences were a focus to underscore the film's thriller elements, including revenge and tragedy arcs.[9] Cinematography was handled by Satya Hegde, who employed techniques to highlight the contrasts between rural and urban environments.[9] Editing was overseen by Deepu S. Kumar, ensuring tense pacing throughout the narrative's intense moments.[9] In post-production, sound design was crafted to enhance emotional impact, while visual effects were kept minimal but targeted at the horror elements involving organ trafficking scenes.[9]Soundtrack
Composition and recording
V. Harikrishna took on the dual role of music director and producer for the soundtrack of Rhaatee, composing both the original songs and the background score under his D Beats label. His work emphasized a fusion of romantic melodies suitable for the film's love story with subtler thriller elements to heighten tension in key sequences.[8] The production process highlighted Kannada folk influences, particularly in rhythmic patterns that evoked rural settings central to the narrative.[22] The lyrics were crafted by director A.P. Arjun and renowned poet Yogaraj Bhat, who tailored them to explore themes of love, loss, and resilience, aligning closely with the protagonists' emotional journey. Recording sessions occurred in late 2014, culminating in the soundtrack's release on November 1. Notable contributions included playback singing by actors and professionals, such as Sudeep's energetic rendition for one track, which added a celebratory folk-tinged vibe to the proceedings.[23][24] The background score, integral to amplifying action-packed and poignant moments, complemented the six songs that run for a total of 19 minutes and 38 seconds. Harikrishna's studio efforts at D Beats focused on clean, layered instrumentation to support the film's blend of romance and suspense without overpowering the dialogue.[25][6]Track listing and release
The soundtrack of Rhaatee comprises six songs that emphasize the film's themes of village romance and emotional bonds, including the romantic opener "Ratti Patta" and the energetic "Jodakki" featuring Sudeep. Composed by V. Harikrishna, the tracks feature lyrics by A.P. Arjun for most songs and Yogaraj Bhat for one ("Nanna Bennalina"). The album was launched in November 2014 under the D Beats label through an audio release event, achieving commercial success as a hit in Kannada music circles. It was made available in CD and digital formats, with a total runtime of 19:38 minutes and no remixes or variants produced.[23][24][26]| No. | Title | Singers | Lyricist | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Ratti Patta" | Vani Harikrishna, Santhosh Venky | A.P. Arjun | 4:33 |
| 2 | "Raja Rani (male)" | Santhosh Venky | A.P. Arjun | 3:26 |
| 3 | "Jodakki" | Sudeep | A.P. Arjun | 3:23 |
| 4 | "Nanna Bennalina" | Sonu Nigam | Yogaraj Bhat | 3:39 |
| 5 | "Raja Rani (female)" | Shreya Ghoshal | A.P. Arjun | 3:26 |
| 6 | "Devaru Illada" | Santhosh Venky | A.P. Arjun | 1:11 |

