Ra.One: Love it or hate it?

Despite heavy promotions and high budget, the film has received mixed reviews.

Made with a budget of INR1.5 billion, Ra.One, described as best in terms of technology, opened across more than 4,000 screens worldwide — 3,100 plus screens in India and 904 prints internationally, including 3D and has become the biggest Hindi grosser in southern market too, according to Times of India.

Directed by Anubhav Sinha, Ra.One saw King Khan as G.One along with Arjun Rampal as Ra.One and Kareena Kapoor as the heroine. “Ra.One released to packed houses across India on Diwali day and has already created history by taking over the mantle of the biggest domestic earner so far. The film continues to be on its record breaking spree with several new achievements since its release. It has touched the highest individual collection in circuits such as Mumbai, Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan,” Nandu Ahuja, senior vice president, distribution, Eros International Media Ltd said in a statement.

Speaking on its overseas performance, Pranab Kapadia, president, distribution, Eros International, said: “Overseas, the film has broken SRK’s own previous first weekend record established by My Name Is Khan and occupies the position of biggest Indian first weekend grosser overseas as well.”

Renowned film critic Taran Adarsh stated, “Movies like Krrish and Robot initiated the trend of superhero films in India, with fantasy making deep inroads into mainstream Hindi cinema. Now Ra.One raises the bar, takes not a step or two, but a giant leap and adheres to international standards, in terms of execution. But the soul, I wish to add, is very desi. That’s precisely the reason why Ra.One emerges trumphiant.”

On the other hand, Puneet Sahay of Spice Cinemas, informed that the film is not appealing to adults. “Although Shahrukh’s acting is good, Ra.One is basically a film for children as it boasts of lot of animation and special effects. Adults do not actually like the film. However, it is likely to do well in the coming days,” Sahay said. Though some critics didn’t give it a thumbs up, the film’s visual effects and state of the art production techniques have set a new standard in the Indian film industry.

Meanwhile, in Pakistan, the film has received some mixed reviews. Fans of Shahrukh who rushed to watch Ra.One on its opening night, had altering takes.

Fahah Khan, a college student, revealed, “I hated it, Ra.One’s trailer had raised my expectations but the outcome wasn’t worth it.” Another Shahrukh Khan fan, Shehryar Ahmed, a banker by profession, stated that it was “a great film, a must watch for everyone”.

(With additional input from Times of India)

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2011.