Ramu Films, known for producing action-oriented blockbusters, maintains its reputation with "Raakshasa".

The film conforms to the standards set by Ramu Films and is a welcome relief for Kannada audiences forced to see mediocre movies released every week.

"Raakshasa" has good technical values and brilliant performances by Shivaraj Kumar in the lead, Rangayana Raghu and theatre artistes such as Kishore.

"Raakshasa" has a fast-paced narration with several well-executed, thrilling sequences that keep you on the edge of your seat.

The story is based on real-life incidents. The hero is a police officer who challenges underworld dons and is prepared to kill them in encounters without bothering about the consequences.

He takes up tough assignments, makes highly controversial decisions on his own and invites risks. Eliminating hardened criminals in encounters, his fight with a terrorist called Shabir forms the climax of the film.

Shivaraj is exceptional as a daring cop. His body language matches the role perfectly.

Director Sadhu Kokila, who is also a talented actor and a busy music director, has done better in his second project. He had earlier made "Raktha Kanneeru" with Upendra as hero.

"Raakshasa" is the first Kannada film for Mumbai-based Ghazala, who acted in a few Telugu movies, and she fails to make a mark. The other heroine, Amrutha, has only a few sequences.

Rangayana Raghu, as the corrupt policeman, stands out.

The second half of the film, however, has some unnecessary song and action sequences that could have been chopped.