Raman Kumar needs no introduction. He is one of the most successful personalities on T.V. today. Indeed personality would be the right way to describe him because it would be difficult to label him as a producer, a director or a writer. He has done it all. It is even more difficult to specify him as a thespian of theatre, a scholar of serials, or a master of the films, as he embodies the personality of each and everyone!

His directorial venture, Raja Bhaiya, was completed in two schedules flat and in a span of 38 days of shooting! The first schedule was in Hyderabad, where he shot sixty percent of the film. The rest was completed in the second schedule in Mumbai.

Raja Bhaiya has Govinda and Aarti Chabria in lead roles and portrays a comical saga of the life of a village boy named Raja. Raja (Govinda), has sworn never to get married and remain a Bramachari. His mother saves a girl, Prathiba (Aarti Chabria), who was nearly hit by a train while walking on the tracks. His mother brings her home, as no one knows her past. Raja is against this and does everything in his will to detach her from his life, but to no avail. His mother decides to get Raja and Prathiba married. Although Raja is in disagreement with the idea, he is forced into the marriage.

As the saying goes…"love begins to blossom after marriage," Raja begins to fall in love with Prathiba after their marriage. Soon after, Prathiba’s relatives come to the small village and take (kidnap) Prathiba to their home in Mumbai. After hearing the news, Raja begins his journey to Mumbai to rescue his beloved wife and bring her back home, or so he thinks…

Raja Bhaiya, as a film, fails miserably. Starting off with the story-plot. Raman Kumar succeeds in directing a film with an original story, much credit given to the screenplay writer, but he fails to make a complete film. With songs appearing at inappropriate times, a drawn out plot, and a poor climax, Raja Bhaiya is incapable of holding the audiences attention for two hours and forty-five minutes.

As far as the technical specs, the film performs moderately well. With befitting editing skills, the film nicely progresses from scene to scene, for the most part that is. Cinematography succeeds in making the film presentable, but the script has some gaping holes. This is what we call dull comedy. This kind of comedy makes the audience laugh every once in a while, but for the rest of the time it’s just annoying.

Now the main feature: Performances…From hearing the title "Raja Bhaiya" it was almost obvious that the film would have Govinda in the lead. It doesn’t seem that Govinda is even trying to find new roles to portray. After being in the industry for two decades, Mr. Govinda still plays the No. 1 role of comedy. The surprising thing is, he is successful for the most part. The audience for some reason loves to see the light faced-chubby actor make jokes. The role of Raja shines light on the same talent that he has been showing off for so long. With little emotion required, Govinda plays the role of Raja with ease.

The biggest surprise of the film was the female lead, Aarti Chabria. After making her debut in Tumse Achcha Kaun Hai, the Miss India Worldwide 2000, plays the role of the pagli Prathiba. She plays the role with such emotion that you don’t even feel that she is acting. She suits the role almost superbly and is a welcome addition to Bollywood.

The supporting cast is quite pathetic. The characters of Maya and Chaiyya are a disgrace. The rest of the supporting crew is quite lackluster at best.

Overall, Raja Bhaiya is a below average film that had the right idea but didn’t make to its full potential. The film was just too predictable! Hopefully Raman Kumar’s next film, Wah Wah Ramji…Jodi Kya Banayi, will make for a better film. Watch this film on DVD, if not for anything, at least for the performance of Aarti Chabria.