Samarveer Creations LLP’s Razakar (dubbed from the Telugu film of the same name; A) is an epic historical. The film is set in 1947 and thereafter. India has gained independence from the British in 1947, but Hyderabad, which is the largest princely state, remains an independent kingdom under the control of the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan (Makarand Deshpande). The Nizam refuses to sign the accession agreement and opts for a one-year standstill agreement with the Union of India. A paramilitary army force, named Razakars, formed by Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, is controlled by Qasim Razvi (Raj Arjun) during that period. Qasim Razvi lends his full support to the Nizam of Hyderabad and together they infuse terror among Hindus, with their atrocities. What happens after that forms the crux of the film.
Yata Satyanarayana has written a story borrowed from the pages of history. His screenplay in the first half is slow and tends to get boring at places. The pace picks up thereafter but the fact remains that the issue is so local that it would not appeal to a majority of the audience in the rest of India, who may not even be able to identify with it, more so because the story is not current but rather belongs to an era gone by. Even otherwise, there is a limit to how appealing historicals would be to viewers today unless, of course, the story touches a chord in people’s hearts, which is not the case with this drama. Of course, the portion dealing with Operation Polo (carried out by the Indian Army to annex Hyderabad from the Nizam rule) is excellently written. Dialogues are good.
Bobby Simha does well in the role of Rajireddy. Tej Sapru is alright as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Makarand Deshpande is realistic as Mir Osman Ali Khan. Raj Arjun lives the role of Kasim Razvi. He is outstanding. Annusriya Tripathi is impactful as one of the wives of Mir Osman Ali Khan. Vedhika is alright as Shanthavva. Anasuya Bharadwaj lends decent support as Pochamma. Indraja is okay as Chakali Ilamma. Prema has her moments as Anthamma. Thalaivasal Vijay makes his presence amply felt as K.M. Munshi. Chandhu Nath Nair (as Bheemireddy Narasimha Reddy), Tarak Ponnappa (as Narayan Rao Pawar), Arav Choudhary (as Major General J.N. Chaudhuri), John Vijay (as Mir Laiq Ali) and Cheluva Raj (as Baswa Manaiah) are adequate. Others fit the bill.
Yata Satyanarayana’s direction is ordinary. Bheems Ceciroleo’s music is average. Lyrics are so-so. Song picturisations (by Suchitra Chandrabose, Swarna and Shankar) are fair. Kushender Ramesh Reddy’s cinematography is very good. Naba-Navakanth’s action and stunt scenes offer thrills and chills. Thirumala M. Thirupathi’s sets are eye-filling. Thammiraju’s editing is reasonably sharp.
On the whole, Razakar is a well-made film but its box-office prospects seem to be very bleak because of its regional appeal and because historicals are not the flavour of the season.
Released on 26-4-’24 at Gem (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Panorama Studios. Publicity & opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.