Performances
Shanthakumar's victory lies in not just narrating a good story, it also lies in his casting. He seems to have found the perfect actors to portray the characters of his film.
Arjun Das, who plays the lead, delivers a commanding performance that keeps you hooked. Measured -- both in his verbal responses and body language -- Arjun Das effortlessly brings to life the character of Sadhashiva Pandian and makes you realise what kind of a powerful person he is.
A beautiful character that holds within it an infinite amount of power but one which has the wisdom to hold that power in check. Full marks to both Shanthakumar for creating such a character and for Arjun Das to playing it to perfection. This is truly a delight to watch.
Tanya Ravichandran as Surya does a neat job of playing a woman who is a rebel at heart, but who also has a child-like side to her that longs to be protected and understood.
Sujith Sankar, who plays the antagonist Parasu Raj, is just magnificent. Sujith Sankar showcases the mean and menacing nature of Parasu Raj to perfection, showcasing to the audiences, the cruel demon that is within the character.
But it is Reshma Venkatesh as Chandra, who steals the thunder in this film. The actress, who appears for only a brief while in the second half, dances her way into the film and the audiences hearts. Her characterisation and her portrayal are just perfect and give the film what it exactly needs. The romantic portions between Chandra and Sadhashiva Pandian too work like magic.
Technical Aspects
Saravanan Ilavarasu's visuals are just fantastic. On the one hand, the visuals he captures of scenic Kodai are a treat to your eyes. But that is not all that he has to offer. The manner in which he lights up his scenes are just too good to miss to not notice. In one particular sequence, where the focus is on Parasu Raj's character, the lighting is such that the shadow of Parasu Raj which falls on the wall behind him is much bigger than him. It somehow makes you realise that the darkness within the man is much more than what he showcases.
Thaman's music is fantastic and Shanthakumar does not bother to even have lyrics for some sequences, counting on just the music, the visuals and the performances to deliver what he wants to convey. And they deliver just that.
Verdict
If you have the time and the patience for a good, meaningful story, then Rasavathi is definitely an option.
