<p>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! <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br />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.<br /></p>
<p>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! <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br />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.<br /></p>
