Rasavathi

Rasavathi, also known and marketed as Rasavathi: The Alchemist, is an 2024 Indian Tamil-language romantic thriller film written, produced and directed by Santhakumar. It stars Arjun Das, Tanya Ravichandran, Reshma Venkatesh, and Sujith Shankar in lead roles. The soundtrack and background score were composed by S. Thaman, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Saravanan Ilavarasu and Shiva GRN, and V. J. Sabu Joseph.

It was extensively shot in Kodaikanal, Madurai, Cuddalore and Palani.

It theatrically released on 10 May 2024. The film received positive reviews from critics and audiences.

Plot
Sadhasiva "Sadha" Pandian is a siddha doctor who practises his medicine in Kodaikanal, the same town where Surya joins in as hotel manager, and police officer Parasuraj takes in-charge at the local police station. As Sadha and Surya, who come with their own fair share of trauma, bond and get closer to each other, it does not seem to sit well with Parasuraj whose villainy nature comes to the forefront with a seemingly visible connection he shares with Sadha from past. But what is it that connects them?

Cast

 * Arjun Das as Sadhasiva "Sadha" Pandian
 * Tanya Ravichandran as Surya
 * Reshma Venkatesh as Chandra
 * Sujith Shankar as Inspector Parasuraj "


 * G. M. Sundar as Police inspector
 * Sujatha Sivakumar as Sadhasiva's mother
 * Ramya Subramanian as Dr. Sailaja
 * Rishikanth
 * Arul Jothi
 * Deepa
 * Nikhila Shankar as Sadhasiva's sister

Development
The film was produced by Santhakumar under his own banner DNA mechanic company Production No. 1 on 5 August 2023, the film's official title was unveiled as Rasavathi by director Santhakumar.

Casting
Tanya Ravichandran and Reshma Venkatesh was cast in as the female lead opposite Arjun Das, marking their first collaboration. Sujith Shankar was reported to play a police officer and the main antagonist in the film while veteran actor G. M. Sundar and other actors and actresses like Ramya Subramanian, Sujatha Sivakumar and Rishikanth appear were cast in other pivotal roles.

Filming
Principal photography of the film began on 4 November 2022 and wrapped up on 5 August 2023.

Music
The music and background score is composed by S. Thaman, in his third collaboration with Santhakumar after Mouna Guru (2011) and Magamuni (2019). The audio rights were acquired by Divo. The first single "Saaral Saaral" was released on 2 May 2024. The last single "Thai Thai (Rasavathi Fusion) was released on 8 May 2024.

Theatrical
Rasavathi was released in theatres on 10 May 2024.

Reception
Manigandan KR of Times Now rated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 stars and noted "If you have the time and the patience for a good, meaningful story, then Rasavathi is definitely an option."

Roopa Radhakrishnan of The Times of India rated the film 2.5 stars out of 5 stars and noted "Rasavathi impressed with many fascinating characters. The makers have indeed created many intriguing characters but then failed to place them in a setting that is as compelling as them."

Jayabhuvaneshwari B of Cinema Express rated the film 2.5 stars out of 5 stars and noted "In the final act of the film, the pace picks up, drawing viewers to the edge of their seats as the reasons behind the protagonist-antagonist enmity are revealed."