"Raayan" offers a superb first half with wonderful, detailed characterisation and amazing performances by the entire cast, especially Sandeep and Dhanush. Their dialogue delivery and body language are just great, making the characters come alive on screen.
The second half, however, could have been better. Dhanush's attention to the story and screenplay wanes, which impacts the overall pacing and coherence. Despite this, the choreography, cinematography, and stunt action sequences, particularly the interval portion, are well executed. Although the climax reminds one of Vetrimaran's "Aadukalam," it sets up an intriguing lead for a potential second part.
A.R. Rahman's music in this movie is distinct and different, adding a unique flavor to the film. However, Dhanush's costume choices, predominantly linen, could have been better aligned with his character. The movie does suffer from a lack of logic in several areas, with many loose ends left unresolved.
As Dhanush's second directorial venture, his efforts are commendable despite these shortcomings. With more focus on the latter half, "Raayan" could have been an outstanding film.