Raman Raghav 2.0

Film:  Raman Raghav 2.0
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vicky Kaushal
Director: Anurag Kashyap

Movie begins with the disclaimer "It is not about the 1960's serial killer Raman Raghav". Raman (Nawazuddin) is a serial killer who hacks his victims to death with an iron rod. He thinks himself as a messenger of God to eliminate people. He loiters aimlessly in slums, rundown apartments, markets, and busy roads. There is no purpose or intent for his killing.

Raghav (Vicky Kaushal), Assistant Commissioner of police is the investigating officer in this case. He does not believe Raman's confession to crimes when he surrenders himself. However, Raman escapes the police custody. He goes in for a few more kill including his sister, brother-in-law, and nephew.

Raman firmly believes Raghav to be his soulmate, another messenger from God to kill people. Raghav is a misogynist cop who snorts drugs, treats his girlfriend like shit is as deadly as Raman. Only difference is he is on the other side of law.

One day Raghav brings another girl to his girlfriend's house. In an altercation he accidentally kills his girlfriend. Now everyone knows Raman is stalking Raghav. What happens next? What happens to the other girl who witnessed the murder?

A psychological thriller that is definitely not for the faint hearts. It is grim, gruesome, and totally dark. The movie is split in chapters in Quentin Tarantino style.

We have seen a lot of psychos onscreen and they all looked similar so far. But Nawaz has set the bars high now. His transformation from poor homeless man to maniac beast to eccentric monster is spell bounding. Seeing pure pleasure in his twinkling eyes after each kill sends shiver down your spine. The scene where Raman meets Raghav is comical, sublime, and so natural.

I loved Vicky Kaushal in Masaan. He has done total justice to the role of Raghav, brooding, menacing, and ruthless.

Every minute detail is taken care of. A lot of research has gone into the making. The location varies from dark dingy rooms to slums to high rise apartments. Most of the violence happens off the screen, so all the gory details are left to our imagination. Out and out Anurag Kashyap movie. I could see my young cousins squirming in their seat and for them it is not an easy watch. However, I loved it as it is psychological thriller, which is my favoured genre.