Dhanush's raw debut lifts an uneven romance past its weak second half.
Verdict tier Recommended, most critics liked it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical reception for Raanjhanaa is largely positive, with most reviewers recommending the film as one of the stronger romantic offerings in recent Bollywood. The near-unanimous praise centers on Dhanush's debut performance, with several critics singling out Sonam Kapoor's work as her most mature to date, and A.R. Rahman's musical score drawing repeated favorable mentions. The most consistent criticism targets the second half, which multiple reviewers found to be a significant drop in quality, particularly faulting the political storyline for undermining the emotional momentum established in an engaging first half. A small minority found the film's treatment of love regressive and the overall narrative flawed beyond redemption.
4 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 22 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
If you are among those that helped Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani rake in all those crores at the box office, you owe it to yourself (and to the cause of popular Hindi cinema that entertains with more than just song and dance and star power) to vote for Raanjhanaa with your feet.
Top critic
Film review ·
Dhanush, overeager and hyperactive, is appealing when called upon to do scenes of some seriousness and sobriety. But it's Heer whom the film belongs to. Projecting vulnerability as well as steely resolve, Sonam Kapoor carries out her age graph sensitively and belts out her most mature performance yet. Just for her, go for it.
Top critic
Film review ·
Raanjhanaa is a film which is all of a piece in its engaging first half, and a good Bollywood launchpad for Dhanush. Makes me want to see what he will do in his second pass.
Film review ·
But all said and done, if the climax of Raanjhanaa doesn't sway your emotions you haven't been in love. Grab a ticket, clutch the hand of your loved one and go fall in love. This time with great cinema.
Film review ·
RAANJHANAA is not a love triangle; it handles the emotions of four young lovers. And what draws you to it is the opening dialogue as Kundan goes into flashback. There's something in the simplicity in his voice and his diction. His parting dialogue too, is practical and full of love. It will tear you apart. ''Mood nahin hai,'' he says with that same love even though he has been 'stabbed in the back'. Listen to the entire sentiment. As you leave the theatre, you feel that 'Titanic' emotion.
Film review ·
Be it for its technical pros or for Dhanush's Bollywood debut, 'Raanjhanaa' makes for a good watch this weekend. Four stars for 'Raanjhanaa'!
Film review ·
Raanjhanaa is a far cry from the assembly-line love stories from Bollywood factory. It's a story of naïve, resolute, unyielding love that stands the test of time. It's a film made with a lot of heart and that's where it hits the most. Definitely worth a watch.
Film review ·
Ranjhanaa is not perfect but it is heart-touching and very entertaining. And it is that unique thing – a love story that men will like more than women. Must watch!
Film review ·
RAANJHANAA encompasses romance and myriad emotions most wonderfully, besides bravura performances and a popular musical score from the maestro. A film that touches the core of your heart. A film that's definitely worthy of a watch. Not to be missed!
Film review ·
Watch this at least once, for many reasons. Dhanush is the main one. I should say this again, what a superb actor.
Film review ·
Raanjhanaa flows like good poetry. It is arguably the best love story of the year so far, the kind of film others in the genre should aspire.
Film review ·
In the first half, it is an interesting, intense, introspective love story, where you empathise with the characters. In the second half, the love story gets diluted to make way for gobbledygook political ideology that is an irritant.
Film review ·
Raanjhanaa has a fantastic first half. Watch it for Dhanush and Sonam's performances and some colourful one-liners and dialogues.
Film review ·
Raanjhanaa harks back to the way Bollywood used to make love stories once upon a time. With some imagination, the effect would have been nostalgic, too.
Film review ·
Raanjhanaa to say the least may not be a perfect story but it sure is one of the best romantic films of the recent times. It deserves to be watched for Dhanush's debut, Sonam's acting and AR Rahman's music packaged with a refreshing story.
Film review ·
Like the other romantic films, Raanjhanaa too follows the same funda of "Come Fall In Love". But, this one stands out and makes a unique impression like never before.
Film review ·
Raanjhanaa isn't easy viewing. Kundan and Zoya aren't easily likeable. They have flaws. They make mistakes. Blunders, really.
Film review ·
Painted on a novel idea of unrequited love, packing it with a kinetic first half, the film's buoyancy transforms into brittle in its second half. With a few mercurial performances from its supporting cast mostly Abhay Deol, it is the clumsy and lackadaisical show in the second half that makes the film plain facile. Had the film maintained its force, it could easily have been more spirited. However a sluggish screenplay and lurching script makes Raanjhanaa a half baked effort and hence gets a 2.5/5 from me. It is exasperating to see how directors lack the perseverance to hold steady a film's entertainment value till the end.
Film review ·
Overall the film is a beautiful love story and deserves to be watched atleast once.
Film review ·
Just when you thought that Bollywood had (slowly, but steadily) matured in its take on love, director Aanad L Rai quashes our faith with a shockingly outdated love story. ...Take our tip. Skip this one.
Film review ·
Raanjhanaa is no Yuva, and it's definitely not a Rang De Basanti. What it possibly could be is a list of what not to do for Kejriwal if he wants to survive politics.
Film review ·
Raanjhanaa is an interesting, entertaining and a fairly different love story and will do very well at the ticket windows. It is like heady wine and its effect will only grow. Dhanush will be loved in the film.
From our readers
32 ratings · user score 7.2
Best part about this movie is that there are no larger than life characters. It is realistic and unlike any other love saga. Sonam looks not only beautiful but also an appropriate fit to her character. She effortlessly matures from a school girl to a college student. The surprise package is Dhanush who makes you actually feel emotions he goes through in the movie. His acting is flawless and never even for a second you feel that he is a misfit due to lack of a conventional look or a fluent Hindi diction. In my opinion he can give many Bollywood actor a run for their money. Music is splendid ...thanks to AR Rehman and the singers. One needs to watch it to experience the essence of this movie. So go and watch it!
This film belongs to Dhanush. Using his unconventional looks and quirky style to his best advantage, he carries his role of the hopelessly love-struck street Romeo with absolute and effortless charm. It was so refreshing to not see the cliched muscle-flexing, chocolate boy, stereotypical Bollywood hero who always manages to save the world and get the girl. Sonam Kapoor has always picked meaty scripts for herself and this one's no exception. However, she will likely get more recognition for this performance than her previous work because of the film's success. She too fits her role perfectly and looks like a million bucks as always. The story and direction were outstanding in the first half, but it got derailed after the interval. The mood changes, the genre changes, the characters change...it's a bit too much to swallow. But despite this disintegration, the storytelling is tight and it keeps you guessing. And even if you're not satisfied by the ending, you'll have spent your time watching a really good film. In the end, it is the performances that stay with you. The supporting roles are all remarkable, particularly Dhanush's two best friends.
Must watch movie superbly taken...all credit for Dhanush in-spite of his conventional looks, his dialogues were really good...just enjoyed every bit of him in the movie. Sonam Kapoor is average in her acting but really beautiful. Abhay Deol was good again...short n sweet. Except for the title song A.R Rehman has done an average music....
Finally watched the movie and was speechless with Dhanush's acting skills...Its an insult to him if we say debut.. Sonam kapoor will survive her 2nd innings in bollywood if she starts selecting capable and talented co-stars like dhanush. Overall story line is average,1st half is entertaining... Worth the money.. total paisa vasool.
Raanjhanaa. Love has the power to enlighten you so it has the power to destroy you and kill you. Raanjhanaa is a pure Indian love story of a small-town boy played by terrific Dhanush who needs to break through the class divide to gain acceptance from his childhood sweetheart played by Sonam Kapoor who is in love with big city ideal played by Abhay Deol. Abhay Deol in his cameo is lovable as always. Sonam Kapoor does better than her previous attempts in acting. But movie belongs to trio of Dhanush the actor, Anand Rai the director and A.R.Rahman the music director. Dhanush in his first Bollywood outing makes you smile, laugh, dance, cry and even puke. At the most surprising and devastating twist in the story, movie turns into one of the most poignant love story told in recent times. His performance is so full of impact because it is supported by deep thoughtful direction of Anand Rai and mesmerizing music of the great A.R.Rahman. Most of the songs play in background and make you feel the warmth and pain of being in love and irony of life for the people in love. But it is not fairy tale from start to finish, movie derails in his last half an hour by drifting from its main plot and turning into a political drama. But this can be easily forgiven as you would have given two thumbs up to this movie long before its climax. Watch it for love, watch it for Rahman, watch it for break out debut of Dhanush in Bollywood.
Watch It For Dhanush's Performance, Very Good 1st Half, Excellent Dialogues, Climax Speech By Dhanush , Zeeshan & Swara.The 2nd Half Is A Let down By Stupid & Lame Political Involvement & The Film Totally Loese It's Plot.You Might End Up Hating Sonam For Her Selfish Character.
Director Aanand L Rai's take on love is not your typical Bollywood love story. He brings together an unusual paring in a film that starts on a lovely note. The story unfolds in Benaras. Kundan Shah (Dhanush), a Tamil Hindu from a relatively lower class family is hopelessly in love with Zoya Haider (Sonam Kapoor), a high society Muslim girl. Their love story takes a turn when Zoya is sent to Aligarh for higher studies, and eventually goes to JNU where she meets Akram (Abhay Deol). The first half is great. Dhanush, in a fantastic debut, engrosses you in his story. Sonam Kapoor also turns in a favorable performance. The romance plays out beautifully, while retaining that small-town charm of Banaras. Himanshu Sharma's dialogues are a strong point - witty and memorable. Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub, playing Kundan's friend Murari and Swara Bhaskar, a childhood friend who nurses feelings for Kundan, are both excellent in their supporting roles. And of course, A. R. Rahman comes up with a masterful score. Which is why once the scene shifts to Delhi in the second half, the film becomes disappointed and frustrated. The unconvincing political subtext drags down the film, not fitting with all that has been shown before. Abhay Deol is just okay in his extended guest appearance. The overall mood of the film is diluted, although the actors still manage to hold it together. Ranjhanaa is an instantly lovable film, the mood of which is spoilt as the climax draws nearer. Nevertheless, it should be watched for the sterling performance of Dhanush, if nothing else.
Filmmaker Anand L. Rai has ventured into filmmaking again, this time with 'Ranjhanaa', and believe me, it is no star drive. Instead, it is a smooth, passionate love story which is- if not nuanced- layered and captivating. We have a tightly recycled plot involving a Hindu boy, a Muslim girl and a love story which blooms between them. The plot doesn't carry heaviness, something which is expected. But it is soulful, and how? while staying truthful to the context, Rai makes sure that you enjoy the characters and their doings, even if they carry much of 'sanak'. And this makes sure that the ideas of love, and eventually in the second half, letting go do get proffered and in a nice way to the audience. But it raises the bar for template Bollywood romance because it is a great love story filled with warmth and ingenuity. But it is Dhanush who makes sure 'Raanjhanaa' is one of the best Hindi films of the year, with a unique charm and expressive style of his performance as Kundan. He delivers genuine drive to the film, mocking himself, and falling in love eventually. Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub may be wasted, but Swara Bhaskar as the supporting character Bindiya Tripathi more than compensates. You must watch 'Raaanjhanaa' since it is a charming, feel-good love story but with an appeal that is huge. I am going with 3.5 out of 5. It is a surely to be taken watch!
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