Ramaa The Saviour Movie Review: Ramaa The Saviour: Gaming Treat!

In the quest for new cinematic excitement, video gaming seems to be the next Big Thrill where Hindi films are concerned. One has heard that Shah Rukh Khan's 'Ra One' will visit that zone. Well, it seems that Haadi Abrar's 'Ramaa The Saviour' has pipped the actor to it.

Gaming as an idea is quite interesting but it really depends on how the maker weaves it into his screenplay. 'Ramaa The Saviour' is a film which manages to reach out to teens and pre teens because the subject is so contemporary and close to their hearts. So kudos to the maker for venturing on this new territory and opening a brand new vista of ideas for Hindi filmmakers.

However, while the idea is terrific, the execution suffers a little due to the writing. The screenplay of the movie does not play out very coherently and suffers from quite a few loopholes. It is not cleverly written and is quite simplistic and predictable as well, in places.

The film's story is basically about a bunch of six kids, four of who belong to a vernacular school, and the remaining two to an English medium upper class institution. The kids, Komal, Kunal, Rohan, Sameer, Riddhi and Saanj, play hookey from school so that they can play the new video game, 'The Last Battle.'

However, while playing the game, they suddenly find themselves transported into the game itself. Of course, they realise that much later. For the time being, they find themselves marooned on an island, which is full of all kinds of animals. Somehow while playing the game, they have also gone back a 1000 years in time!

On the island, one of the girls is attacked by a gigantic man called Valli (Khali), but a Tarzan like character called Ramaa (Saahil Khan) comes to her rescue. Ramaa, like his comic book inspiration, Tarzan, lives in peace in the jungle with the animals. But the children's troubles are not over as yet.

On the marooned island, lands the evil Kalli with his band of men and a scientist, Samara (Tanusree Dutta). They have come in search of three secret crystals, the possession of which would make Kalli the most powerful man in the universe. The stage is now set for a fight between good and evil, and for a new superhero to emerge and save mankind.

Ramaa is the only person who can guide Kalli to the treasure and hence they capture him along with the kids. This is where the script goes a little haywire as Samara suddenly switches sides and joins Ramaa and his band of children. They are hunted down by Kalli and his men and then the last battle takes place between Kalli and Ramaa. Kalli seems to be getting the better of Ramaa in the battle till the great Valli appears and invests him with special powers. Now armed with those special powers and with the help of the two of the kids on the game console, Ramaa emerges as the winner and the world is saved from Kalli's terror. The game gets over and kids find themselves back in the gaming parlour.

Despite the various loopholes in the screenplay, the film still manages to be pretty engaging. The kids with their various eccentricities add colour to the proceedings and are definitely one of the bright spots in the movie. All the kids manage to play their parts well and put on a very good show. It is interesting to see the socio economic divide between the rich and the middle class kids which is brought out quite well by the director.

As for the adults, they are probably not as engaging and refreshing to watch as the kids. Saahil as the Tarzan like superhero, Ramaa, looks his part and fits into the role of Ramaa quite well.

Tanusree as Samara is competent and does a good job with the action scenes. The great Khali of course is no actor, but one can excuse him that as he is great in his own field and does the best that he is capable of. He definitely looks the part. But of course, one is never sure what his connection is with Ramaa and why he attacked the young girl in the beginning. That remains a mystery. Taleb as Kalli the villain looks menacing enough to fit his role, but no acting really required here.

The film's action sequences which have been directed by Peter Hein, are quite absorbing. Sejal Shah is quite good behind the camera and some of the landscape shots, especially of the cliffs and rocks are quite amazing. The music has been composed by the duo of Siddharth and Suhas and is energetic and pleasing to the ear.

While the director is to be lauded for his unique and innovative idea, one just wishes that the writing was just as unique too. A little more imagination on the part of the writers could have really raised the level of this movie. At best, 'Ramaa The Saviour' remains merely engaging and not enthralling.