October 22, 2010 (Sampurn Wire): Director: Ram Gopal Verma

Starring: Vivek Oberoi, Surya, Abhimanyu Singh, Priyamani, Shatrughan Sinha, Radhika Apte, Sushant Singh, Zarina Wahab, Ashish Vidyarthi, Ashwini Kalsekar, Sushmita Mukherjee, Kota Srinivas Rao

Rating: ****

Ram Gopal Verma is well known in the film fraternity for the controversial subject of his films, with Rakht Charitra RGV plans to go a notch higher. The film has been involved in a lot of controversy since its announcement and finally it has hit the theaters. The story of Paritala Ravi has become the part of folklore and Rakht Charitra tries to capture how circumstances forced a shy young man to become a feared gang leader and politician.

The film is based on the true story about the infamous feud between Paritala Ravi and Maddelacheruvu Soori that rocked Andhra Pradesh to its very core. If you thought Sarkar franchisee was the best RGV could deliver, after watching Rakht Charitra your perception will change completely.

Rakht Charitra deals with the rise of a political faction headed by the controversial figure Paritala Ravi. Vivek plays the role of Pratap Ravi, who gets drawn into the murky world of faction-politics after the assassination of his father and brother. After a string of forgettable performances Vivek has come back with a bang. It seems that Ram Gopal Verma truly understands how to use Vivek. With his handlebar moustache and crisp starched white shirts Vivek Oberoi looks every bit like the feared politician and gang leader.

Surya the southern superstar plays the perfect nemesis to Viveks character and stands his ground with his solid portrayal of Suryanarayan Reddy. Shatrughan Sinha does a superb job as a corrupt Chief Minister who moves others like pawns to serve his ends. Zarina Wahabs role is small but she does an excellent job with her facial expressions that leaves an indelible mark on the audiences mind. In fact, the entire cast has put up a magnificent performance and the movie has the potential to become a cult classic.

This is a story about a one mans rise to power and how he avenged the death of his family members. Rakht Charitra serves a deadly concoction of politics, family feuds, caste-crimes, and assassinations with engaging story telling. If you want to see the true actor in Vivek Oberoi, watch Rakht Charitra, it gritty story-telling will leave you both shaken and stirred.

--Sampurn Wire