recommended

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

Even the idea of deep love was appealing, the movie classically failed to be on a constant logical path after the intermission. The plot progressed not naturally but by forced rationale. It kept me guessing how one scene jumped to another. Everything may be fair in love, but then the director Anand L Rai should have placed a wizard in the story somewhere. The only surprise was the lead- Dhanush. What a marvel he has put into his role! He thoroughly kept me stunned and amazed throughout although not his character. An epic performance by a non Hindi speaking actor in his debut. I would recommend Raanjhanaa to anybody not for the love of god or what else, not for the hype around and about it, not for the storyline but for three things which drapes over the movie's several oddities: One- Dhanush, a star to watch for, a performance to stand for; Two- the music by A R Rahman is another midas touch- pure gold; Three- the last dialog of the movie delivered by Dhanush himself lying on the bed of a mobile hospital, an eulogy to self. At the risk of getting murdered in my sleep by the die-hard fans of a just-in pseudo cult, I can not fathom the thought of giving this any more than 3 out of 5.PS- Of course Abhay Deol can never be rated. He is a vigorous, relentless, unrated, undulated and unadulterated performer. No need to mention that he was amazing as always.

Never had a Bollywood movie enthralled and entertained me as Raanjhanaa did since Gangs of Wasseypur. It is the most heart felt mind blowing experience you will ever have! Raanjhanaa is a love story, a story the like of which you have never seen before. It is an intense, raw steaming cauldron of love brimming with unprecedented passion where love consumes all. (It is just so so difficult to put down my thoughts on this one. But damn man, I am going to give it a try.) It is not your typical warm mushy love story, the kind that are you are so used to watching. It explores love in its truest, its purest form. There are moments where the scenes are so stupid, so clichéd that it seems to be taken from a very typical Bollywood movie, that you might have just laughed at its silliness. But wait for a few moments and those scenes will grow on you. And moreover how would one expect the translation of one's passion by a generation who has fed from Bollywood movies. The difference is startling when you see Sonam Kapoor's restrained, subtle love, not because it does not carry the intensity and passion of Dhanush's, but because it is the upbringing she gets. Sonam's love for Abhay is as raw as Dhanush's for Sonam. And here where the movie shines in the exploration of love. It studies two protagonists, both of whom shimmering with love and their affection directed at different persons, but at a metaphysical level united as one in their unbridled passion. It may seem to many that there is a lot of negativity with Sonam's character, be it the way she seeks Dhanush's help or later her actions result into his miserable condition. But if one looks closely at Dhanush's character you will see how closely Dhanush at the core is the same being. Apparently, people will naturally sympathize with Kundan and not with Zoya and thereby lies a major flaw in the treatment of the story. Since the two love stories reach the same dead end and the two characters are indistinguishable in their actions and deeds, it is inappropriate for one character to be portrayed in a more positive light than the other. Dialogues are very well written, many of which are witty and funny without taking away the intensity of the moments. They seem to blend with the characters, the landscape and the story seamlessly without ever feeling like just an addition to the ongoing surroundings to add to the entertainment. Dialogues never make any moment melodramatic or too fantastical to believe, they give an earthiness, a realism to the story that plays a pivotal role in making the movie so good. Dhanush has acted brilliantly and is really a talent house to look forward to. Sonam Kapoor has also given a good performance. Abhay Deol is wasted. The supporting cast is brilliant with Murari and BIndiya. The cinematography is also up to mark capturing the aesthetic of Varanasi on the celluloid. A. R. Rahman excels with this pitch perfect music direction. Raanjhanaa is a must watch for the love story that it is, a love story of fall and redemption that is not a fairy tale that culminates in the union, but a portrayal, a canvas where different true colours of love are splashed to make something so beautiful that it will remain forever etched out in my heart for eternity. In spite of all the tragedy and heart breaks, Raanjhanaa is not a sad movie. It is a celebration of love. Maybe sometimes it is just enough to love.

Mindblown,Speechless,Dumb founded is how i felt after Raanjhanaa ended, what a film.Far superior then YJHD and Ashiqui 2. An untold love story.Raanjhanaa is a new love story no formulaic stuff.The 1st half is fun,with laughs,good songs etc But 2nd half is serious and ending is WOW. Dhanush is a revelation,words cant describe how AMAZING he is 1of the best performance of the yr for sure,the TAMIL and HINDISUPERSTAR. Sonam kapoor is also is MINDBLOWING gives a career best.Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub,Swara Bhaskar,and Abhay Deol deserve stand ovations great acting. Dir Anand Rai goes a million steps ahead with Raanjhanaa way better than Tanu Weds Manu. What a story, What dialouges, just WOOW.STANDING OVATION! Raanjhanaa music by arrahman best of yr so far.And the only - of film is gets to political at times in 2nd half.But the BEST ENDING EVER. Raanjhanaa is not a perfect film and probably not the best film i have seen this yr but i have never walked out of theater speechless

When the film promos hit air, I thought this will be just another Issaqzaade type film but I was wrong The film is multilayered and well handled The first half slowly and steadily explores the romance angle and it's well handled till the interval it keeps surprising you. The second half focuses more on the politics but yet the story is well narrated and handled superbly, though Zoya's character does seem mystified at times but yet the story is well handled and the climax is brilliant.Direction is good, Music by A.R.Rahman is amazing Dhanush doesn't have any qualities of a star but of an actor, he infuses life into Kundan that he becomes the character, Barring his Hindi which isn't perfect as he is south Indian yet he does a great job Sonam Kapoor who was never known for her acting talent surprises and does a perfect job, her diction too is off many times but she is simply superb Amongst rest Abhay Deol in a cameo is superb Swara Bhaskar is good, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub last seen in Jannat 2 is amazing, rest are all good