Razakar Telugu Movie Review

A movie called Razakar hit the screens today. Yata Satyanaraya directs it. Let’s see what it is like.

History:

India gains independence from the British in 1947, but Hyderabad, which is the largest princely state, remains an independent kingdom under the control of the Nizam of Hyderabad, also known as Mir Osman Ali Khan (Markhand Deshpande). The Nizam of Hyderabad refuses to sign the accession agreement and opts for a one-year standstill agreement with the Union of India. A paramilitary army force called Razakars, formed by Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, is controlled by Qasim Razvi (Raj Arjun) during that period. Qasim Razvi lends all his support to the Nizam of Hyderabad and they spread terror among the Hindus with his atrocities. What happens next is what Razakar is all about.

Plus Points:

If you are someone who has not heard about this genocide that occurred during the Nizam’s rule, you will be shocked after watching the film. The atrocities against many Hindus and the forced religious conversions will give you chills as they are shown in a heartbreaking and uninhibited manner. There are many hard moments and one would surely come away with a heavy heart.

Even if you know about this exodus, you will still be involved in the film as many details have been included in the writing. This is the best part of Razakar as the writing team did extensive research to document the trauma suffered by many innocent souls. The Operation Polo carried out by the Indian Army to annex Hyderabad from the Nizam’s government will surely give you goosebumps.

Often, we would have heard stories describing the greatness of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in uniting the country. This film will give you more clarity about the kind of role that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had played in making Hyderabad an integral part of India. The film is clear in what it conveys. It does not target any religion and only highlights the atrocities committed by Nizam and Razakars against the common people.

Raj Arjun is Razakar’s show stealer and plays the role of Qasim Razvi to perfection. We feel like punching him in the face and that’s the level of performance he’s delivered. Markhand Deshpande as Nizam Of Hyderabad is brilliant and so is Tej Sapru as Iron Man Of India. Bobby Simha, Anasuya, Vedhika, Indraja and others gave convincing performances. The second half is more exciting with many key moments.

Bad points:

The first half is about the depiction of Razakars’ brutality against the Hindus and here the pace is a bit slow. Some scenes are repetitive and the narrative could have been better.

Razakar is a film made with utmost honesty and if anyone expects entertainment, this film may not be to their liking. Atrocities and heinous acts are shown without restraint and these images might be of interest to some.

Technical aspects:

Bheems Ceciroleo’s music is impressive. Cinematographer Ramesh Kushendar clearly described the anguish of the affected people. The filmmakers achieved a high quality film on a limited budget and kudos to them for their efforts. The visual effects were good and the production design team did an excellent job of recreating a bygone era. The sets are fantastic.

Director Yata Satyanarayana showed conviction in bringing a heinous genocide to the screen. The film is informative, heartbreaking and also portrays the bravery of many unsung heroes who fought against the monarchy. The director can advance his career a lot if he creates more such good films.

Verdict:

Overall, Razakar is an honest depiction of the heinous genocide that took place in the province of Hyderabad during the time of the Nizam. The film is sure to shock you with its horrific events and clearly documents the ordeal of the common people. The film will leave those who don’t know Razakars speechless. The performances are very good and the film is technically rich. The first half is a bit slow, with some repetitive scenes, but the second half captures our attention every minute. Those interested in learning about history can watch this movie this weekend.

123telugu.com Rating: 3/5

Reviewed by 123telugu team

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