Raghav - Decent Storytelling

Raghav is basically a story of a student studying abroad and his relationships. It is a tale of how one suffers under different circumstances in life to finally realize the true essence of it. Set in America, this movie

has tried to project the complications on screen that one has to face whilst studying in foreign land such as long distance relationships, family pressures, friends, university and jobs during study period, eagerness for green card, etc.

The main thing I loved about this movie is its screenplay that is very close to reality, and
the dialogues, which do not seem forced but natural. It’s not that I’ve been to abroad and know the whole thing but watching the movie, one can feel the situations that has been on screen and relate to it. Whether it’s the family pressures on Raghav or his long distance relationship with Nisha and their separation, those things look real, not so filmy. Relationship between Raghav and Aastha is convincing as well, so is the story of Swopnil and his green card journey.

However, Kylie’s characterization might be somewhat real but it seems a bit unconvincing at some places. Audience might feel quite bichara for her. But that doesn’t affect the flow of the story anyway. I don’t want to judge but ask that Aastha hitting so crazily on Raghav is a bit dramatic or normal. And hey, Raghav is conservative – he thinks girls drinking and flirting is bad, girls having 4-5 boyfriends is also bad! He does think so, suave Nepali boy! Why does he have to think so?

I liked the way Raghav saying Hauss when his girlfriend says him ‘I love you’. Narration in between is poetic and sounds much nice in storytelling. I remembered Raj Ballav Koirala (also producer) citing monologues in movie Apabad.

Songs are situational and nice.

Bhupendra Bhattarai‘s (director) storytelling needs thumbs up for this decent effort. Coming to performances, Shibir Pokharel and Asishma Nakarmi have done a nice job. Asmita Dhakal and Cait Bresel are okay. Rocken Byanjankar is also okay but has some unnecessary pauses in dialogue delivery.

Overall, I loved the movie. Raghav is a nice movie with nice story and presentation.

P.S. Since it’s a YouTube release and not theatrical one, I wonder whether this movie could have earned decent box office success or not, if released. (News says it has already recovered its investment) Nice movies have not earned money leaving few exceptions. I’ve found people commenting about this movie’s ending and music; and I felt that there are people who still love conventional stereotypes of songs, actions, loud background score and a happy ending! Whatever, good is good, and it must get its due.

Now, I am seeing forward for more Raj Ballav Koirala productions.

(Photo courtesy: www.facebook.com/raghavthefilm)