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‘Raman Raghav 2.0’: Cleverly crafted, compelling

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'Raman Raghav 2.0': Cleverly crafted, compelling

Film: “Raman Raghav 2.0”; Director: Anurag Kashyap; Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vicky Kaushal, Sobhita Dhulipala, Amruta Subhash, Ashok Lokhande and Mukesh Chhabra; Rating: ****

“Raman Raghav 2.0” is Anurag Kashyap’s take on the psychotic serial killer Raman Raghav who terrorised Mumbai during the late 1960s. He had apparently bludgeoned 41 people to death using a bent iron rod.

This is not a biopic but a twisted fiction that encapsulates the life of two soulmates; the scar-faced serial killer Ramanna who also called himself Sindhi Dalwai, and the addicted to drugs Police Inspector, Raghavendra Singh Ubbi who was initially investigating the killings.

Narrated in a linear fashion and set in 2013, the narration begins in a nightclub with pounding music and free flowing drugs. Raghavendra, high on drugs, leaves the nightclub with a woman he picked up that night.

En route to his residence, he stops in Kidwai Nagar to pick up more drugs. But when he lands up at the residence of his drug supplier, he realises that the old man has been attacked brutally. Raghavendra does not hesitate to take advantage of the situation by stealing his drug supply, but not before murdering another intruder who lands up at the crime scene minutes later.

This scene forms the prologue to the drama, which is encapsulated in eight chapters that unfurl with gripping flourish of how Ramanna stalks Raghav and their lives are intertwined. It also overturns expectations in the finale, to create an impactful and convincing drama.

The story, written by Anurag Kashyap and Vasan Bala, is typically Anurag’s overture. Their plot is packed with grisly crime, dark characters in forbidding territory and dialogues that humourously engage the audience. It broadly deals with the morality of killing, which is seen from two aspects; that of an unhinged killer and the other from the view of a lawkeeper.

But it is Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Ramanna and Vicky Kaushal as Raghavendra who bring life to the writing. While both of them are powerfully natural and earnest, as they effortlessly essay the complex and muddled characters, Nawazuddin steals the thunder with his intensely disturbed, scavenger look and his tongue-in-cheek lines, which he delivers with a straight face.

They are efficiently supported by Sobhita Dhulipala as Smrulika Naidu aka Simmy — Raghavendra’s long-standing and tormented girlfriend –, Anuschka Sawhney as Ankita, Raghavendra’s one-night stand who slips from his clutches, Amruta Subhash as Raman’s distraught sister Laxmi, Ashok Lokhande as Laxmi’s husband. They all manage to evoke sympathy with their effective portrayal.

The film is astutely mounted with fine production qualities that make the entire setting appear ordinary and regular. This is brilliantly captured by Jay Oza’s camera work. Especially dramatic are his visuals captured in claustrophobic spaces.

What adds to the viewing experience is Ram Sampath’s frenzied and adrenaline-packed background score, which is efficiently layered by Aarti Bajaj’s crisp editing.

Overall, “Raman Raghav 2.0” is a cleverly crafted and compelling film.

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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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