Rajakili Movie Review – Rajakili tells the story of Murugappa, a once-successful business tycoon who loses everything due to his own missteps. The film explores his journey from riches to rags and raises the question of whether he can reclaim his former self. However, Rajakili struggles to connect with its audience, falling short in its attempt to deliver an emotional and engaging narrative.
Directed by Umapathy Ramaiah in his debut venture, the film flips the usual story arc by focusing on a man’s decline rather than his rise. When we first meet Murugappa (Thambi Ramaiah), he is homeless, wandering the streets in hunger. He is found by Anandhan (Samuthirakani), who takes him to a shelter called Annai Madi Home. As Anandhan reads Murugappa’s diary, the story shifts to flashbacks of his life as a wealthy businessman.
Unfortunately, one of the film’s most glaring flaws is its inability to make viewers care about its protagonist. From the outset, it’s clear that something devastating has happened to Murugappa. Yet, despite the narrative’s repeated insistence on how tragic his story is, the emotional depth needed to evoke sympathy is missing. The melodramatic tone, amplified by over-the-top music, lyrics, acting, and staging, detracts from any genuine connection to the character.
The decision to use a non-linear narrative adds to the film’s problems. Rajakili attempts to shock viewers with multiple revelations, replaying the same scenes with slight variations to hint at a deeper story. However, rather than surprising or engaging the audience, these repetitive twists make the plot feel tedious and uninspired.
The portrayal of female characters in the film is another major drawback. Despite the inclusion of several women in pivotal roles, none are given redeeming qualities or depth. From an IAS officer to Murugappa’s first wife Deivana (Deepa Shankar), each female character is poorly written and one-dimensional. To make matters worse, the film ends with a voiceover claiming to be a tribute to women who dedicate their lives to their husbands—a statement that feels at odds with the questionable ideology the movie propagates.
In the end, Rajakili feels like a lost cause. It fails to deliver a meaningful or compelling narrative, weighed down by its melodramatic execution and problematic storytelling. While it had the potential to explore an intriguing arc of downfall, Rajakili misses the mark entirely, leaving little for viewers to appreciate.