Ronny Movie Review: Another Predictable Journey of an ‘Accidental’ Gangster
Updated On 12th Sep 2024
Ronny: Another Tale of Ambition Lost in a World of Crime
When it comes to movies about gangsters and crime lords, many follow a familiar pattern. Yet, some manage to stand out, while others fall into the same overused tropes. Ronny starring Kiran Raj is a film that fits somewhere in between. It tries to mix ambition, crime, and drama, yet ends up treading the same path that many gangster movies have walked before. Here’s why Ronny may not break new ground, but it still offers some thrills for fans of the genre.
The Classic Hero-to-Antihero Arc
At the core of Ronny is the age-old narrative of an aspiring hero who gets dragged into a life of crime. Raghava (played by Kiran Raj) starts off with dreams of becoming a “star hero.” He’s determined, focused, and working hard on his acting skills. But, as it often happens in such stories, his ambitions are derailed. Raghava accidentally kills the son of a notorious gangster, which forces him into the violent underworld where he becomes “Ronny” a name that symbolizes his rise as a feared ruler of the streets.
This shift from an innocent dreamer to a hardened criminal is a well-known trope in gangster movies. We’ve seen this transformation time and again, but the movie manages to inject some fresh moments as Ronny struggles to balance his dreams of stardom with his new reality as a gangster.
Characters Who Shape Ronny’s Journey
As Ronny’s story unfolds, several key characters enter the picture, each offering a brief but impactful role in shaping his destiny. Dharmanna Kadur, playing Ronny’s friend, offers moments of emotional reprieve. On the other hand, Anil Yadav, who plays Bala, brings the tension as the antagonist. These supporting roles add depth, but they don’t linger long enough to leave a lasting mark on the narrative.
While the characters are there to help Ronny, the emotional weight falls mostly on Kiran Raj’s shoulders. He pours his heart into portraying the duality of Raghava/Ronny, especially when highlighting Raghava’s yearning to become an actor, even amidst the chaos of his life as a gangster.
Struggles Between Art and Violence
The most intriguing aspect of Ronny lies in its exploration of Ronny’s inner conflict. At heart, he’s still Raghava, the artist who craves creative expression. One of the most powerful lines in the film “I am here for art, not the bloodstains of violence, and my goal is to wear makeup” speaks to this inner struggle. It’s not about the violence or the power for him; he simply wants to act and be part of something bigger than the criminal world.
This duality between Ronny’s creative dreams and the entanglement in a violent life adds an emotional core to the film. It’s what drives the narrative and gives the audience a reason to root for Ronny. However, the constant barrage of action scenes often overshadows this deeper thematic thread, diluting the film’s more meaningful moments.
A Familiar Blend of Action and Melodrama
Like many films before it, Ronny serves up a predictable mix of gangster action and melodrama. The fight scenes, though intense and entertaining, don’t break new ground. The exaggerated action sequences, while appealing to some audiences, take away from the more profound, emotional elements that the film tries to convey.
Manikanth Kadri’s music and Sachin Basrur’s background score elevate the emotional moments, while Raghavendra B Kolar’s cinematography offers a gritty, compelling look into Ronny’s world. But the overall execution falters when the film tries to do too much at once. Balancing mass appeal with deeper thematic undertones is tricky, and Ronny doesn’t quite hit the mark.
Comparing Ronny to Gangster Film Classics
Let’s face it the world of gangster cinema is filled with cult classics. Films like Om, Jogi, Kariya, and Aa Dinagalu have set a high bar, each one finding a unique way to tell stories about crime, power, and redemption. These films have garnered a dedicated fan base, inspiring many filmmakers to try and replicate their success.
Ronny, like so many other attempts in this genre, doesn’t quite reach the same heights. It feels like another version of the “good guy accidentally becomes a gangster” story that we’ve seen before. It follows a tried and true formula, which can be a double edged sword. On the one hand, it offers fans of the genre exactly what they expect action, drama, and a hero caught in a web of violence. But on the other hand, it doesn’t push boundaries or offer anything truly new.
Why Ronny Falls Short
Despite Kiran Raj’s dedicated performance, the film’s over-reliance on familiar tropes ultimately holds it back. At over two and a half hours long, the movie’s pacing drags, with viewers likely feeling restless long before the climax. By the time the story reaches its final act, many audience members may find themselves disengaged, waiting for the inevitable resolution.
The “old wine in a new bottle” approach, as many have described it, is exactly what limits Ronny. It has the potential to explore deeper, more complex themes about ambition, identity, and the struggle to escape the criminal life. Yet, those moments are often lost in the shuffle of excessive action and predictable plot twists.
Final Thoughts: A Missed Opportunity?
Ronny is by no means a failure, but it’s not a triumph either. It does what it sets out to do entertain and for fans of gangster films, there’s enough here to keep them engaged, if only for a while. Kiran Raj’s performance is commendable, and the film shows flashes of brilliance when exploring Ronny’s internal conflict between art and violence. But, ultimately, it falls into the trap of predictability.
For those looking for a fresh take on the gangster genre, Ronny may leave them wanting more. However, if you’re in the mood for a familiar tale of ambition, crime, and redemption, you might just find enough to enjoy in this well-intentioned, if somewhat flawed, film.
In conclusion, while Ronny doesn’t break new ground, it delivers enough action and drama to satisfy die-hard fans of the genre. Its story, though predictable, offers brief moments of emotional depth, making it a decent, if not entirely memorable, addition to the world of gangster films.
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There’s something timeless about gangster dramas. The allure of a hero falling into a life of crime, battling inner demons, and ultimately trying to escape, is a story that resonates with audiences across generations. However, as with most genres, overexposure can lead to fatigue. Ronny, starring Kiran Raj, unfortunately falls into this trap. What could have been an engaging and gritty film about the transformation of an aspiring hero into a feared rowdy instead delivers a predictable storyline that struggles to stand out.
The Premise: From Aspiring Hero to Feared Gangster
The film follows Raghava (played by Kiran Raj), a young man with big dreams of becoming a star hero. He works hard, attending acting courses and dedicating his life to making it in the world of cinema. However, in a twist of fate, Raghava’s aspirations are shattered when he accidentally kills the son of a notorious gangster. This single moment changes his destiny forever, transforming him from an ambitious young man into Ronny, a feared rowdy.
Ronny spends five years in prison for his crime, and upon his release, the question looms large: will he ever be able to reclaim his dream of becoming a hero, or is he destined to remain the hardened criminal the world now sees him as?
A Familiar Tale in a Saturated Genre
Gangster movies have long been a staple of Indian cinema, with cult classics like Om, Jogi, Kariya, and Aa Dinagalu setting the bar high. These films captured the raw intensity of the underworld, often weaving in rich, complex characters and memorable storylines. Unfortunately, Ronny doesn’t quite hit the same mark.
The movie’s plot, while competent, lacks the freshness needed to distinguish itself from countless other films in the same genre. We’ve seen this story before the good guy pulled into a life of crime, the tragic mistake, the inevitable transformation into a feared criminal, and the redemption arc. There’s nothing new here to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
The film feels like “old wine in a new bottle,” rehashing the same themes without offering anything innovative or exciting. While the premise holds potential, the execution falls flat, leaving viewers with a sense of déjà vu.
Character Development: Potential Unrealized
At the heart of the film is Kiran Raj’s portrayal of Raghava/Ronny. To his credit, Raj brings a certain earnestness to the role. His performance is passionate, and you can see the effort he puts into bringing both sides of his character to life. As Raghava, he is full of hope and ambition, while as Ronny, he carries the weight of his past mistakes on his shoulders. However, despite Raj’s strong performance, the character development leaves much to be desired.
The supporting cast, while competent, doesn’t bring much depth to the story. The romantic subplot feels like an afterthought, tacked on without much substance. It adds little to Ronny’s journey, and the love interest’s role in his life is never fully fleshed out. The gangster antagonists are typical of the genre menacing but ultimately one-dimensional.
Action and Drama: Predictable and Repetitive
One of the major selling points of any gangster film is its action sequences, and Ronny delivers plenty of them. However, much like the storyline, the action feels predictable and repetitive. Fight scenes are choreographed competently but lack the adrenaline-pumping energy that one would expect from a film about a feared rowdy. There’s little variation in the way the action unfolds, which leads to a sense of monotony by the film’s mid-point.
Similarly, the drama within the film doesn’t hit the emotional highs it aims for. The tragedy of Raghava’s transformation into Ronny never fully resonates, and moments that should feel emotionally charged often fall flat. The film tries to balance action with heartfelt moments, but the two elements never quite gel together in a cohesive manner.
A Familiar Formula: Why Ronny Fails to Stand Out
The main problem with Ronny is that it sticks too closely to a formula that has already been done to death. The idea of the “accidental” gangster has been explored in countless films, and while the trope can still work with the right execution, Ronny doesn’t bring anything new to the table.
Movies like Kariya and Jogi succeeded not just because they were gangster dramas, but because they brought a unique perspective, unforgettable characters, and a gripping narrative to the screen. Ronny, by contrast, feels like a carbon copy of its predecessors, without the same level of depth or innovation.
Performances: Kiran Raj Shines, but It’s Not Enough
While the film itself may be lacking, Kiran Raj’s performance deserves recognition. He clearly puts his heart into the role, and there are moments where his portrayal of Raghava/Ronny feels authentic and raw. However, even the strongest performance can’t save a film when the script and direction are lacking.
The rest of the cast does their job adequately, but no one stands out in a way that elevates the film. The romantic interest, played by Sameeksha, is given little to work with, and the antagonists are largely forgettable. Even the veteran actors in the film don’t leave much of an impact, as they are confined by a script that doesn’t allow for much character exploration.
Final Verdict: A Film That Plays It Safe
Ronny had the potential to be something more. With a compelling lead actor and a premise that could have been exciting, the film could have pushed boundaries and brought a fresh take on the gangster genre. However, it ultimately plays it safe, delivering a predictable storyline that fails to engage or surprise.
For fans of gangster films, Ronny may offer some entertainment, particularly in its action sequences and Kiran Raj’s committed performance. But for those looking for a film that breaks new ground, this one falls short. In a genre that thrives on tension, grit, and originality, Ronny feels like a missed opportunity.
In the end, Ronny is another film that tries to replicate the success of past gangster dramas but ends up being little more than a rehash of the same old story. If you’re in the mood for an action-packed, no-frills gangster flick, you might enjoy it. But if you’re looking for something fresh and exciting, this isn’t the film for you.
