Ramam Raghavam (2025) – A well-intended but flawed father-son drama that suffers from predictability and weak performances.

Directed by: Dhanraj Koranani
Written by: Dhanraj Koranani, Siva Prasad Yanala
Starring: Samuthirakani, Harish Uthaman, Dhanraj Koranani, Satya, Srinivas Reddy, Pruthviraj
Genres: Drama, Family
Language: Telugu

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Synopsis:

Dasharatha Ramam (Samuthirakani), an honest officer at the Registrar’s Office, deeply loves his son Raghava (Dhanraj Koranani) and dreams of his success. However, Raghava is unfocused, wasting time and money recklessly. When he borrows money from his father for a business but loses it all in gambling, their relationship spirals into conflict. In a shocking twist, Raghava, unable to bear his father's disappointment, plots to kill him with the help of a truck driver. What leads him to take such an extreme step? Will Ramam survive, and what consequences will follow?

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Performances:

• Samuthirakani:
  As expected, Samuthirakani delivers another strong and emotionally driven performance. His portrayal of a loving yet helpless father is convincing, and he carries most of the film’s emotional weight. He has been excelling in father roles, and this is no exception.

• Dhanraj Koranani:
  While he is passable as a director, his performance as the lead feels forced and unconvincing. Throughout the film, it is difficult to connect with him in this role. The emotional intensity required for Raghava’s character is missing, making the character feel hollow rather than complex.

• Supporting Cast:

  • Satya is completely underutilized, which is disappointing given his potential.
  • Sunil’s cameo adds nothing substantial to the story.
  • The heroine is forgettable, barely making an impact in the film.

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Direction & Writing:

Dhanraj Koranani attempts an emotionally gripping father-son drama, but while the concept is engaging, its execution falls short.

• The predictability of the plot significantly weakens the film. From the very beginning, the story unfolds in an expected manner, leaving no room for surprises.
• The screenplay struggles to maintain a balance between emotional depth and engaging storytelling. The first half is slow, while the second half loses emotional focus before attempting to recover towards the climax.
• The film fails to develop a strong emotional connection between the audience and its characters. Had the father-son dynamic been explored more authentically, the impact could have been far greater.

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Technical Aspects:

• Music & Background Score:
  ❌ The BGM is underwhelming; for a film that relies heavily on emotional weight, a more haunting score could have enhanced the impact.

• Cinematography & Visuals:
  ✅ The visuals are decent, with some good shots capturing the emotions of the film.
  ❌ However, the production values could have been stronger to match the film’s tone.

• Editing & Pacing:
  ❌ The slow pacing in the first half affects engagement.
  ❌ The second half gets slightly better, but it lacks a strong climax to leave a lasting impression.

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Strengths:

✔ Samuthirakani’s performance – He elevates every scene he is in.
✔ An interesting father-son conflict – The premise is engaging.
✔ A sincere attempt at family drama – The intention is clear, even if execution is flawed.

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Weaknesses:

❌ Predictable storyline – No fresh or surprising elements.
❌ Dhanraj’s weak performance as a lead – His lack of emotional depth makes it hard to connect with his character.
❌ Lack of emotional engagement – The film doesn’t fully explore its core themes.
❌ Underwhelming music and BGM – Misses the mark in elevating key moments.
❌ Slow first half and inconsistent pacing – Makes it hard to stay engaged.

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My Personal Take On Cinema:

Ramam Raghavam had the potential to be an impactful family drama but falls short due to predictability, weak execution, and a miscast lead actor. While Samuthirakani delivers an exceptional performance, the lack of emotional depth in the screenplay and Dhanraj’s struggles as an actor bring down the film’s impact. The background score and pacing further dampen the experience, leaving it as just an average attempt rather than a memorable film.

It’s commendable that Dhanraj tried to take on a serious subject, but as a director, he should have focused more on developing the emotional weight of Samuthirakani’s character rather than placing himself in the lead.

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Final Rating: 

2.5/5