Rathnam Movie “Rathnam” fails to captivate audiences with its reliance on old tropes and action sequences. Despite the efforts of Vishal and Hari, the film struggles to engage viewers effectively.

When director Hari helms a film, you can expect an abundance of high-octane action and fight sequences throughout. Known for his works like “Samy” and “Singam,” Hari reunites with actor Vishal after a decade for the third time in “Rathnam.” True to his style, the movie is set in the heartlands of Tamil Nadu, this time along the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border.

The narrative unfolds in 1994 amidst the hills of Tirupati, where three bandits unleash an attack on a bus, resulting in the death of 26 individuals, including the police officer investigating the incident. Fast forward a decade later to Vellore, where a 12-year-old orphan named Rathnam saves Pannerselvan (portrayed by Samuthirakani) from an assailant by taking down the attacker himself. This act of valor earns Rathnam the admiration of Pannerselvan, who later becomes an MLA.

As Rathnam grows up, he becomes Pannerselvan’s trusted right-hand man. Despite being perceived as mere rowdies in Vellore, Rathnam and his associates are utilized by Pannerselvan to aid the underprivileged and those seeking justice. Rathnam emphasizes that their actions are not solely driven by monetary gain; rather, they adhere to a set of principles and motivations even when resorting to violence.

As Rathnam navigates his dual identity as both a rowdy and a do-gooder, his life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters nurse Mallika (played by Priya Bhavani Shankar), who hails from Tiruttani and is in Vellore to write the NEET exam. Rathnam is taken aback by Mallika’s striking resemblance to his deceased mother, leaving him puzzled about her identity and their connection.

Soon, Rathnam finds himself embroiled in a dangerous situation when an Andhra-based gang, led by Rayadu (portrayed by Murali Sharma), targets Mallika for unknown reasons. Once again, Rathnam steps in to protect her from harm, but the motive behind the gang’s pursuit of Mallika remains shrouded in mystery.

The unfolding events prompt Rathnam to delve deeper into Mallika’s background, leading him to unravel the intricate ties between Mallika and his own past, particularly the connection between Mallika and Rathnam’s deceased mother. As Rathnam delves further into the mystery surrounding Mallika, he uncovers secrets that not only shed light on her true identity but also unveil long-buried truths about his own family history.

If you’re familiar with director Hari’s style, you’d expect his films to feature intense jeep chase sequences, characters brandishing aruvals (machetes), and a generous dose of violence. Additionally, there’s usually a sprinkle of humor provided by comedians. “Rathnam” follows this template, kicking off with a flurry of murders, accidents, and brawls. The movie packs in plenty of action and violence, complemented by comedic interludes featuring actors like Yogi Babu, VTV Ganesh, and Mottai Rajendran. However, it falls short in terms of logical coherence.

While the first half sets the stage and introduces the protagonist Rathnam adequately, the second half loses its way, particularly with the introduction of Mallika’s character. The narrative lacks cohesion, with scenes feeling disjointed and failing to contribute meaningfully to the overall plot. The storyline feels thin, and the film struggles to maintain engagement as it jumps from one skirmish to another without a clear direction. Unfortunately, the emotional moments also fail to resonate, leaving the audience disconnected from the characters and their journey. Overall, “Rathnam” lacks the freshness and compelling storytelling needed to hold the audience’s attention effectively.

Music director Devi Sri Prasad, popularly known as DSP, is renowned for his energetic and catchy tunes, especially in Telugu cinema. However, in “Rathnam,” his signature foot-tapping numbers are notably absent. The songs in the film are below average and fail to leave a lasting impression. In fact, two of the songs could have been omitted as they contribute little to the film’s narrative. Nevertheless, DSP excels in the background score department, delivering loud and thunderous music befitting the action-packed scenes.

In terms of performances, Vishal delivers a solid performance, while Priya Bhavani Shankar, Samuthirakani, Yogi Babu, and Murali Sharma deliver satisfactory performances. While Vishal is no stranger to action-packed roles, his portrayal in Hari’s “Rathnam” falls short of making a significant impact.

In conclusion, “Rathnam” follows the template of a typical masala film by Hari, offering nothing new or innovative. It’s akin to old wine served in an old bottle, lacking freshness and failing to leave a lasting impression on the audience.