Five middle-class youth, ‘frustrated’ with their nagging and uncooperative parents, lack of money and opportunities find out the benefits of a near-naked procession to jail - people in the locality pay respect, deals are fixed, the boys are treated with respect!
Much against the advice of a well-meaning inspector (Prakash Rai - wasted as usual), they murder and are sucked into the vortex of crime. Retribution is not far behind... Yet another predictable story, as usual.
But what sets Raajadhani (another example of numerology smothering honest spellings) apart is its making. Each scene (barring the climax), when viewed separately, satisfies the techie in each viewer.
K V Raju’s expertise is evident right till the end. However, eager to ‘connect’ to today’s youth, the veteran director lowers his standards in dialogue-writing - a disappointment to his fans. Chalta hai attitude has not been able to sustain itself for long. Newcomer Sheena Shahabadi is cute but her small role doesn’t leave an impression.
Sandeep, Ravi Teja and Chethan are good; Satya’s efforts in containing his energy is obvious. Yash though acquits himself well - even if his much touted ‘fall’ from 24 storeys fails to impress. He is loud, tough and dances like a dream. Music director Arjun seems to be in competition with the hero - the tunes are robust.
Raajadhani ‘tries’ to keep people from ruining themselves. But it is doubtful if it reaches today’s youth. Just like the ones in the film. A pity.