Movie Review: Ruslaan

In an age of over a dozen news channels, it is rather inevitable that movies also chase headlines.

Film: Ruslaan (Drama)
Cast: Raajveer, Meghaa Chatterjee, Asrani, Shahbaaz Khan, SM Zaheer
Director: Mohan C Sharma
Duration: Two hours and 14 minutes

But Ruslaan neither has the urgency of breaking news or the perspective of a docu-drama. In fact, the film's first half reminds you of the 1970s family socials and is good enough to give a headache to even a Saridon.

In the second half, the film warms up by its own standards. The bomb blast, followed by the arrest and the police torture of the protagonist, gives Ruslaan a sense of focus. But we soon realize that director Mohan C Sharma and writers Brahma-Dhruv are simply not up to the task. The only redeeming feature is that they take care to represent every point of view.

Daughter of 1970s heroine, Moushumi Chatterjee, debutant Meghaa speaks faster than Sholay's motormouth Basanti in the first half and reminds you of the healthy-looking leading ladies of the same era. Hero Raajveer fares better in comparison. But that's not saying much.