Raavanan (2010 film)

Raavanan
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMani Ratnam
Written byMani Ratnam
Produced by
  • Mani Ratnam
  • Sharada Trilok
Starring
Cinematography
Edited bySreekar Prasad
Music byA. R. Rahman
Production
company
Distributed byReliance BIG Pictures
Release date
  • 18 June 2010 (2010-06-18)
Running time
134 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Raavanan is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language epic action-adventure film co-written, co-produced, and directed by Mani Ratnam. The film stars Vikram, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the lead roles along with a supporting cast led by Karthik, Prabhu and Priyamani. It marked Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's return to Tamil after a decade, since Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000). The film follows the crux of the epic Ramayana, with a ruthless cop named Dev Prakash Subramaniam, who is on a quest to find a tribal leader-turned naxalite named Veeraiya as he had kidnapped his wife Raagini and begins to develop emotions for Veeraiya after learning his purpose.

Raavanan was announced in February 2008, amidst much hype of the celebrated director, Mani Ratnam's return to Tamil films, whilst Vikram's and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's casting creating more anticipation. Shooting began soon after, and took place in various locations with a record number of extras in areas including Chalakudy, Kerala and Ooty, Tamil Nadu amongst other regions throughout India. The film's music was composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics written by Vairamuthu, the cinematography was handled by V. Manikandan and Santhosh Sivan, and editing done by A. Sreekar Prasad.

The film was also made simultaneously in Hindi as Raavan, with Abhishek Bachchan reprising Vikram's role and playing the antagonist, Vikram reprising Prithviraj's role and playing the protagonist, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan playing the same role in both films. The film was also dubbed in Telugu as Villain. All three versions were released simultaneously on 18 June 2010 worldwide. It was later remade into Bengali in 2011 as Tiger Number One, starring Shakib Khan, Sahara and Amit Hasan.