Ramanaa (film)

Plot

Ramanaa begins with the abduction of fifteen revenue officers. After three days in captivity, fourteen officers are released, but one is murdered. The police find a tape recording and a file on the dead officer's body that provide significant evidence concerning the kidnapping and subsequent murder. The file suggests that the crimes were committed by members of the self-proclaimed "Anti-Corruption Force" (A.C.F.), a citizen militia seeking to eliminate corruption through vigilante actss. The militia, acting as a kangaroo court, "sentenced" corrupt officials in the area to death, beginning with the captured revenue officers who were apparently engaging in criminal activity.

The film's setting then shifts to Ramanaa, a mild-mannered professor at National College, who lives in a house with four adopted kids. While visiting his adopted child at the hospital, Ramanaa discovers that the officials at the facility are engaging in extortion and fraud. After collecting evidence of the hospital staff's deception, Ramanaa turns them over to the authorities. The ringleader is the hospital dean, who commits suicide when this is discovered. His grief-stricken father, a local construction magnate named Bhadrinarayanan, vows to take revenge on the man responsible for his son's death.

During the festival of Deepavali, Ramanaa's apartment building collapses, killing many residents including his wife and daughter. Recovering from the incident, he demands to know who was responsible for the building's collapse. He discovers that the building was built and owned by Bhadrinarayanan, who knowingly constructed the complex on loose soil. When Ramanaa confronts him, he is beaten by Bhadrinarayanan and his men, but manages to escape. In response to Bhadrinarayanan's actions, and the general corruption in the region, Ramanaa forms the Anti-Corruption Force (A.C.F.). Ramanaa and his A.C.F. ultimately capture and hang Bhadrinarayanan, along with other corrupt government officials.

Meanwhile, a local police constable begins building a case against the A.C.F. The constable eventually realizes that the A.C.F is primarily composed of students and alumni of Ramanaa's school, and takes swift action against them. The A.C.F. members are captured and tortured by the police, but refuse to reveal Ramanaa's identity. Ramanaa is overcome with guilt over his students' sacrifice and surrenders himself, on the condition that all the other members of the A.C.F. be released. He is tried and convicted of being the mastermind organiser behind the murders of Bhadrinarayanan and 14 other government officials, and is sentenced to death. Public pressure from the sympathetic community and family makes the Chief Minister to offer Ramanaa a pardon appeal, which will definitely gives him complete freedom. However, Ramana refuses, stating that only he must face the consequences of his actions, and is hanged the next day. The constable is offered a promotion for his role in disbanding the A.C.F., but he refuses out of guilt.

Cast

Production

Yugi Sethu replaced R. Madhavan in a role in the film.

Reproduction and character map

Ramanaa was reproduced in a variety of different languages and casts. The Telugu version Tagore was an instant blockbuster along with its Hindi version Gabbar is Back.

Box office

The film was a critical and commercial success. It served as a trendsetter in later years. The film had a strong cult following till date.

Soundtrack

The Ramanaa soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, and is the only collaboration by Murugadoss and Ilaiyaraaja. The soundtrack has 8 songs.