GRITTY, ENGAGING, THRILLING
PROS
The movie qualifies for an engaging watch, the gritty atmosphere gives you the perfect feel, John Abraham and Jackie Shroff will not disappoint you with their performances.
CONS
RAW is quite predictable and if worked more on the script, then the overall product could have been superb!
Rehmat Ali (John Abraham) aka Romeo, a bank manager, is recruited by Shrikant Rai (Jackie Shroff) to go to Pakistan as their agent and supply them information for the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Romeo is sent to Pakistan as Akbar Malik. However his involvements with the Pakistani chiefs seem doubtful, not only to Shrikant Rai, but also to Colonel Khan (Sikandar Kher). Thinking the agent life to be an adventurous one, Romeo is caught in this life and death situation with no one at rescue. And finally what role does Walter play in this story of Romeo Akbar Walter.
The script has many flaws as there was no reason given that why a simple bank manager is recruited as a RAW agent, that too for such a lethal mission. Robbie Grewal's direction is commendable. He engages you with his direction. Anil Mehta's cinematography is the best thing in the movie. Sohail Sen's music is not anything great. Bulleya is catchy and Maa is hummable. Rest are forgettable.
What I like about John Abraham is that this guy gets better with each and every successive movie. He expresses himself very well and also gets the correct body language. The only disappointment was when you get to know that in a thriller film, John has got no action scenes. Still then, he manages to put one of his best performance till date.
Jackie Shroff has mastered the technique of wooing you with his acting. He is the biggest strength of the movie and with varying shades of character, he impresses us yet again.
Mouni Roy's character is the biggest mystery in the film, and by that I mean it will be a mystery that why did her character even existed in the film at first place.
Sikandar Kher is the biggest takeaway from this film. He makes you hate him at places and that's where he excels. Don't know why is he not getting more films in Bollywood.
Anil George is excellent as Isaaq Afridi and he has some really good streaks of a villain.
Raghubir Yadav has a memorable role and even he also excels in his part as usual.
Rajesh Shringarpure after Daddy, puts up another good performance. Wish he was given a bit more screen presence.
Alka Amin is good in her role, but again, she also has minimal screen time.
Suchitra Krishnamoorthi and Shadab Khan are notable in their extended cameos.
RAW is a one time watch film with good performances, good premise, engaging screenplay and a "could have been better" script.
Again, I'm clarifying that these are my personal views and I am not a professional.
3.5/5
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