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Rhaatee
Rhaatee
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Rhaatee
Film poster
Directed byA. P. Arjun
Written byA. P. Arjun
Produced byV. Harikrishna
StarringDhananjay
Shruthi Hariharan
CinematographySatya Hegde
Edited byDeepu S. Kumar
Music byV. Harikrishna
Production
company
Harmonium Reeds
Distributed byThoogudeepa Distributors
Release date
  • 20 March 2015 (2015-03-20)
Running time
138 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada

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

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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

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Soundtrack

[edit]
Rhaatee
Soundtrack album by
ReleasedNovember 2014 (2014-11)
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length19:38
LabelD Beats
ProducerV. 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.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Ratti Patta"A. P. ArjunVani Harikrishna, Santhosh Venky4:33
2."Raja Rani (male)"A. P. ArjunSanthosh Venky3:26
3."Jodi Hakki"A. P. ArjunSudeepa3:23
4."Nanna Bennalina"Yogaraj BhatSonu Nigam3:39
5."Raja Rani (female)"A. P. ArjunShreya Ghoshal3:26
6."Devaru Illada"A. P. ArjunSanthosh Venky1:11
Total length:19:38

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Rhaatee is a 2015 Indian Kannada-language romantic action directed by and produced by , who also composed the music. The film stars Dhananjay as Raja and as Rani in the lead roles, with supporting performances by and . Released on 20 March 2015, it runs for 138 minutes and explores themes of rural innocence clashing with urban dangers. The narrative centers on Rani, a young woman from a remote village in who idolizes actor Darshan and whose life revolves around her partner . The couple journeys to Bengaluru to shop for their wedding, only to face the city's underbelly when Rani disappears from a cinema hall, sparking a frantic search and a series of tense revelations over the following days. Cinematography by captures striking visuals, including drone shots of Bengaluru and the Muttatti forest, enhancing the film's atmospheric tension. Upon release, Rhaatee garnered for its gripping storyline, natural performances—especially Dhananjay's portrayal of and Suchendra Prasad's supporting role—and refined direction that evokes strong emotional responses from audiences. The film earned a 3/5 rating from critics at Bangalore Mirror and holds an average user score of 7.1/10 on .

Story 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. 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. 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. While at , 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. Devastated and fueled by protective rage, embarks on a vengeful quest against the traffickers, ultimately confronting and killing the kingpin, Shankar, in a brutal showdown. The couple flees to the forest seeking refuge, but their respite is short-lived as Shankar's brother, Seena, tracks them down for retaliation. 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. 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.

Cast and roles

Dhananjay portrays , 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. His chemistry with the female lead underscores the film's themes of and , marking an early showcase of his versatility in . Shruthi Hariharan plays , 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. Her performance stands out for its depth, contributing significantly to the tragic elements and the exploration of love's fragility in the narrative. In a supporting role, 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. Uday embodies the 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. 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. 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.

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). 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. The film marked composer V. Harikrishna's debut as a under his Harmonium Reeds banner. Post-announcement, production encountered significant delays, extending nearly two years before completion, as Arjun prioritized refining the narrative for greater depth and quality.

Casting process

The casting process for Rhaatee commenced shortly after the completion of the script, with director 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 due to his rising popularity and ability to portray relatable everyman characters, marking a key step in his transition to more prominent projects. Multiple filmmakers had approached him post-debut, leading to his casting in this film under V. Harikrishna's banner. 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. She had been considered for another project, Bajarangi, but committed to Rhaatee instead, highlighting her fresh appeal in romantic leads. Supporting roles were filled to balance humor, intensity, and experience. , renowned for his comedic timing in , was cast in a humorous supporting part to provide levity amid the thriller elements. 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). Veteran actor joined as the inspector, bringing his established gravitas to a pivotal figure. Behind the camera, cinematographer was brought on board to craft the film's distinctive visual style, emphasizing stunning natural backdrops like forests and waterfalls in locations such as and Bangalore outskirts, which were captured to evoke a sense of . Editor Deepu S. handled 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. The production, marking V. Harikrishna's debut as a producer, emphasized incorporating new talents alongside seasoned crew to foster innovative storytelling in . 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.

Filming and post-production

Principal photography for Rhaatee was conducted primarily in , featuring rural settings in Keregodu village in , urban scenes in Bangalore, and key sequences at the . The production schedule spanned multiple months, with filming commencing after the official launch in early and facing delays that pushed the completion to late 2014. Action sequences were a focus to underscore the film's thriller elements, including and arcs. Cinematography was handled by , who employed techniques to highlight the contrasts between rural and urban environments. Editing was overseen by Deepu S. Kumar, ensuring tense pacing throughout the narrative's intense moments. 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.

Soundtrack

Composition and recording

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. The production process highlighted folk influences, particularly in rhythmic patterns that evoked rural settings central to the narrative. The lyrics were crafted by director and renowned poet , who tailored them to explore themes of , loss, and resilience, aligning closely with the protagonists' emotional journey. Recording sessions occurred in late , 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. The background score, 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 without overpowering the .

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 , the tracks feature lyrics by for most songs and for one ("Nanna Bennalina"). The was launched in November under the D Beats label through an audio release event, achieving commercial success as a hit in 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.
No.TitleSingersLyricistDuration
1"Ratti Patta", Santhosh Venky4:33
2"Raja Rani (male)"Santhosh Venky3:26
3"Jodakki"Sudeep3:23
4"Nanna Bennalina"3:39
5"Raja Rani (female)"3:26
6"Devaru Illada"Santhosh Venky1:11

Release and distribution

Theatrical release

Rhaatee had its theatrical on 20 2015 in . The film, with a runtime of 138 minutes, was distributed by Thoogudeepa Distributors primarily in theaters across . It received a U/A certification from the in , allowing viewing by audiences above 12 years with parental guidance. The release focused on regional markets, with the primary rollout in , alongside limited screenings in other Indian states and select international venues for Kannada-speaking audiences. The premiere was a standard launch event tied to producer V. Harikrishna's banner, Harmonium Reeds, without debuts at major film festivals. Following its theatrical run, Rhaatee became available on home media platforms, including streaming services such as by 2025, with no widespread DVD or Blu-ray releases documented.

Marketing and promotion

The marketing and promotion of Rhaatee centered on leveraging its romantic action-thriller elements to generate buzz among younger audiences in Karnataka, with a focus on digital releases and regional media outreach under producer V. Harikrishna's banner, Harmonium Reeds. The campaign began prominently with the audio launch on December 7, 2014, which was organized with significant fanfare to highlight the film's soundtrack composed by Harikrishna himself. This event served as an initial promotional tool, capitalizing on the songs' appeal to build early anticipation, as the music was positioned to draw in fans of director A.P. Arjun's previous youth-oriented hits like Ambari and Adhuri. Following the audio release, the official trailer was unveiled on December 21, 2014, via by D Beats, emphasizing the film's hybrid of rural romance and urban suspense to attract a broad youth demographic. The trailer showcased key visuals of the leads Dhananjaya and navigating village life and city perils, underscoring the story's contrast between innocence and thriller elements. It quickly garnered positive feedback, with audiences appreciating the teaser's blend of emotional depth and action sequences. Star promotions featured the lead actors at key events, including the audio launch and subsequent media interactions, where Dhananjaya and discussed the film's themes to engage fans. The campaign also subtly tapped into the massive fanbase of Kannada superstar Darshan by highlighting the plot's central character—a devoted Darshan admirer—whose life revolves around emulating his on-screen persona, thereby drawing in his followers through thematic tie-ins without direct involvement from the . A making video, released on January 1, 2015, further amplified this by featuring the cast and crew, providing glimpses into the production to sustain pre-release excitement on social platforms. Media efforts included targeted campaigns via regional print outlets and television, with posters and promotional materials accentuating the rural-urban divide at the film's core—a village couple's preparations disrupted by Bengaluru's underbelly. The soundtrack's integration extended promotional reach, as hit tracks like those sung by Santhosh Venky climbed music charts, reinforcing the film's romantic allure ahead of its release. Overall, the modest-scale strategy, aligned with Harmonium Reeds' independent production model, prioritized cost-effective digital and local channels to maximize regional impact in 2015.

Reception

Critical response

Rhaatee received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics upon its release, with ratings ranging from 3 to 4 out of 5 across major publications. Reviewers praised the film's emotional depth in its tragic conclusion and A.P. Arjun's direction for balancing romance with action elements. Critics highlighted strengths in the romantic buildup during the village-set first half, described as beautifully shot and engaging, alongside effective action sequences in the latter portion. However, some noted weaknesses in pacing due to the film's gloomy tone and potentially predictable thriller aspects, which might alienate viewers expecting lighter fare. called it an "action-packed love story ending in tragedy," qualifying it as an average one-time watch. The film's handling of organ trafficking emerged as a key theme, serving as on urban exploitation and the city's underbelly, which added depth beyond a conventional romance. Performances by the leads, Dhananjay and Shruthi Hariharan, were commended for their authenticity, with Dhananjay excelling in both romantic and intense action roles, and Hariharan portraying an innocent village girl convincingly. Supporting actors like were also noted for their strong contributions. Notable quotes from 2015 reviews underscore the film's impact: Filmibeat described it as "not just a love story, it is beyond that," emphasizing its thematic layers, while Bangalore Mirror observed, "You may like how the film ended or hate it, but you definitely cannot remain un-opinionated." Overall, the consensus positioned Rhaatee as a hat-trick success for director , appreciated for its realistic narration and crowd-pleasing moments despite its dark undertones.

Box office performance

Rhaatee was produced by under his own banner as his debut venture in film production. Exact production costs have not been publicly disclosed. The film was a mid-tier release in 2015 and did not rank among the top-grossing films of the year, such as , which earned ₹32 crore. The movie's earnings were primarily from core markets, without significant expansion to national or international territories. As of November 2025, Rhaatee has not seen any major theatrical re-releases. It is available on streaming platforms such as and , supporting ongoing viewership.

References

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