Ranam: a stylishly made gangster flick

Scenarist turned director Nirmal Sahadev makes an impressive debut with this noir film set in Detroit

‘Ranam’ wastes no time. Aadhi (Prithiviraj) lying wounded with a gun- shot on his chest opens the story.  A voice narration soon takes us into the city of Detroit where he lives.  Detroit which had a glorious past as the automotive capital has now turned into a most dangerous city where crime and drugs go hand in hand.

Aadhi, an automobile mechanic works in his uncle, Bhaskar’s (Nandu) garage. He has also been transporting drugs for Damodar (Rahman)- a Sri Lankan Tamilian- in order to clear his uncle’s debts.  Damodar has a new party drug- Redex- and he wants to get a foothold in the region that is controlled by a rival Polish gang leader. 

Aadhi wishes to quit working under Damodar and lead a normal life. So he makes a deal with Damodar that he would work one last time only.  Will Damodar let go of Aadhi  so easily, especially since he is a reliable and efficient transporter? Damodar asks his younger brother, Selvam (Ashwin Kumar) to find out- What’s the weak link in Aadhi’s life that will make him return to his gang?

Director Nirmal Sahadev

Scenarist Nirmal Sahadev who wrote the story for ‘Hey Jude’ a romantic entertainer turns director with ‘Ranam’ and explores a completely different genre.

Noir protagonists are often single men, psychologically flawed or wounded. This gangster tale is not an action thriller about Aadhi and Damodar only but an emotional tale of Seema, (Isha Talwar) too.  A dancer and a mother to a teenaged daughter, Seema suffers a loveless marriage.

  ‘Ranam’ is about second chances for its characters-be it Damodar ousted from his home in Sri Lanka; Aadhi keen on living life anew; Bhaskar-disillusioned with the American dream longs for a new life for his  family; Seema who wishes to bury her past and move on.

After, ‘Mumbai Police’ Prithviraj and Rahman come together in lead roles. They play the perfect tango, matching step by step with a terrific performance. Rahman is in fine form. His Damodar  is menacing in a quiet way-calm and does not deliver loud dialogues- but his short lines mean business. 

Prithviraj’s  Aadhi wins sympathy. Beneath the tough exterior, there lies a little boy struggling with the demons of childhood. Wearing a countenance that barely smiles but embodies several underlying emotions, Prithviraj is wonderful.   

 UAE resident Ashwin Kumar who shot to fame with ‘Jacobinte Swargarajyam’ once again impresses-his Selvam is a hot headed young man.

It’s a mature role for Isha Talwar. Her Seema is convincing.   Newcomers Celine Joseph as Seema’s daughter a typical NRI teenager, Mathew Arun playing Bhaskar’s son and Giju John as Inspector Ahmed are other notable actors. Don’t miss director Shyamaprasad in a cameo.
Jakes Bejoy strikes the right chords with his music. Loved the song, ‘Pathey.’  

‘Ranam’ narrative is emphasized by stylistic, stark shadows and frames that lend a sense of claustrophobia. DOP Jigme Tenzing’s camera plays along leaving you spell bound. Notice the aerial shot after Aadhi gives the cops a slip while driving away in a car. A junction of Detroit is bathed in neon lights where three white police patrol cars stand against a backdrop of neatly arranged black cars. That frame is not easily forgotten.
 ‘Ranam’ marks Sahadev as a talent to watch.