It’s a common knowledge that India is a land of Kamasutra, Khajuraho and Konark. Yet, eyebrows and tempers get raised every time a poster featuring a semi-clad woman is put up or paintings of nude women are exhibited. Many a times, it’s considered as a Western influence to corrupt young minds! Rang Rasiya attempts to expose these double standards and also explain that sadly, nothing much has changed in 100 years on this issue.
The story of the movie: Raja Ravi Verma(Randeep Hooda) is a celebrated painter originally from Kilimanoor, Kerela. He tours the length and breadth of India to understand its vast culture and decides to paint various scenes from our mythology. The first one to inspire and be his muse is Kamini(Rashaana Shah). In Bombay, the beautiful Sugandha(Nandana Sen) inspires him to paint the Goddesses. Sugandha falls for Raja Ravi Verma and even goes nude so that he can get the much-needed motivation to paint. However, in doing so, he invites the wrath of the so-called protectors of Hindu religion who file a case of obscenity against Raja Ravi Verma.
Rang Rasiya has been ready since almost 6 years but due to various reasons, it took a while before the film can see the light of the day. Hence, the film does seem slightly dated in terms of execution. Certain slow-motion shots in the beginning aren’t appealing, but no complaint as the content is quite strong. The manner in which Raja Ravi Verma creates his various paintings thanks to first Kamini and then Sugandha and their affair is quite impressive. Nandana in fact goes topless for a scene as well and it was liberating to see something of this sort in a Hindi film. What’s more, the scene got passed by the Censors as well! The other brilliant and memorable scene in the film is when the low-caste people suddenly start praying and singing bhajans in front of the painting of Lord Rama, painted by Raja Ravi Varma, since they were prohibited from entering temples. The courtroom drama too leaves a mark.
However, Rang Rasiya could have been more engaging. The direction is such that it doesn’t totally involve one in the narrative, at places. The film consists of series of flashbacks and there are portions in the second half where it’s difficult to guess if the flashback scenes are over and the present-day scenes have commenced. The confrontation between Raja Ravi Varma and Sugandha in the pre-climax is quite shocking and unexpected because of which one stops empathizing with the former to an extent. Also, Raja Ravi Varma’s final speech in the court is quite interesting and enlightening but it’s intercut with a sad Sugandha leaving in the tonga and this just doesn’t make sense. Sugandha’s scene should have been shown just once but instead, she is shown multiple times, that takes away some of the impact of Raja Ravi Varma’s speech.
Rang Rasiya happened at a time before Randeep Hooda got famous thanks to his performances in films like Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, Jannat 2, Jism 2 etc. But he proves that even then, he was quite an amazing performer. Rang Rasiya stands as one of his best works! He is into the character and he looks quite convincing as someone whose passion is painting. He has to look 40+ in some scenes and even there, he pulls it off very well. Nandana Sen is beautiful and delivers a stunning performance. Hats off to her for taking up this bold role and coming out with flying colours. An actor that should definitely do more roles in films! Rashaana Shah is fine in a supporting role. Feryna Wazheir is unconventionally beautiful and gives a lovely performance. Rang Rasiya would definitely give her the much-needed recognition. Paresh Rawal(Govardhan Das) looks a bit filmy but it suits his character. Vikram Gokhale(advocate Keshav Shastri) and Darshan Jariwala(Chintamani Pandit) leave a mark. Sachin Khedekar(Madhavrao) and Ashish Vidyarthi(Ailyum Thirunal) play their cheerful characters very well. Sameer Dharmadhikari(Sayaji Rao Gaekwad) is nice and looks quite like a king. Gaurav Dwivedi(Raj Varma) is decent and Chirag Vohra(Dadasaheb Phalke) is adorable. Rajat Kapoor(auctioneer) holds the intro scene quite well. Jim Boeven(Fritz) has his moments. Tom Alter(judge), Suhasini Mulay(Bakubai) and Vipin Sharma(Paachan) are okay. Prashant Narayanan fails to look and sound like a Keralite.
Sandesh Shandilya’s music is easy to the ears and goes well with the mood and period of the film. The title song is lovely while Kahe Sataye is the best of the lot. O Kamini and Anhad Naad are well composed and filmed as well. Background score too leaves a mark. Nitin Desai’s art direction is fair. Costumes(Niharika Khan) are lovely and not seen before in films as far as I know. Rali Baltchev and Cristo Bakalov’s cinematography is lovely. Rang Rasiya is based on the novel ‘Raja Ravi Varma’ by Ranjit Desai and has all the ingredients for a film. Dialogues are sharp but Ketan Mehta’s screenplay and direction could have been much better. Also, Mehta had 6 years and maybe he could have tried to make the narrative a bit tighter. In fact, the way that few scenes are cut and joined makes it look like the work of an amateur. And this is not something that we expect from a maker who made Holi and Mirch Masala.
Some of the best scenes:
Raja Ravi Varma romances Kamini
Raja Ravi Varma’s scenes with Sayaji Rao Gaekwad
Raja Ravi Varma romances Sugandha
4 Sugandha goes topless for Raja Ravi Varma
Low-caste people start praying in front of Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings
Raja Ravi Varma dragged to court
Raja Ravi Varma goes to see the first ever film screening in India
On the whole, Rang Rasiya raises some important questions on our culture, censorship and the so-called obscenity in art. It has some beautiful moments and Randeep Hooda-Nandana Sen take the cake with their sizzling chemistry. Ketan Mehta directs their scenes quite aesthetically but one wishes if he had tried to make the film far more engaging and gripping. Rang Rasiya also throws light on the present-day scenario and how nothing has changed ever since Raja Ravi Varma made those ‘obscene’ paintings at the turn of the 20th century. Here’s hoping people watch Rang Rasiya and understand its essence and let go of their double standards.