{{Short description|2024 film directed by Santhakumar}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Use Indian English|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox film | name = Rasavathi | image = Rasavathi.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Santhakumar | writer = Santhakumar | producer = Santhakumar | starring = Arjun Das<br />Tanya Ravichandran<br />Reshma Venkatesh<br />Sujith Shankar | cinematography = Saravanan Ilavarasu<br />Shiva GRN | editing = V. J. Sabu Joseph | music = S. Thaman | studio = DNA Mechanic Company<br />Saraswathi Cine Creations | distributor = Sakthi Film Factory | released = {{film date|2024|5|10|df=y}} | runtime = | country = India | language = Tamil | budget = <!--Must cite a reliable published source with a reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb. no fan-sites.--> | gross = <!--Must cite a reliable published source with a reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb. no fan-sites.--> }}
'''''Rasavathi: The Alchemist''''' is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language romantic action 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 August 2023 |title=Arjun Das-Santhakumar film titled 'Rasavathi' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2023/Aug/05/arjun-das-santhakumar-film-titled-rasavathi-2602001.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430151007/https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/tamil/2023/Aug/05/arjun-das-santhakumar-film-titled-rasavathi-2602001.html |archive-date=30 April 2024 |access-date=30 April 2024 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 August 2023 |title=Second look of Rasavathi out |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2023/Aug/29/second-look-of-rasavathi-out-47089.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511084150/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/tamil/news/2023/Aug/29/second-look-of-rasavathi-out-47089.html |archive-date=11 May 2024 |access-date=30 April 2024 |website=Cinema Express}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2023-08-05 |title=Santhakumar's film starring Arjun Das titled 'Rasavathi - The Alchemist' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/santhakumars-film-starring-arjun-das-titled-rasavathi-the-alchemist/article67161851.ece |work=The Hindu}}</ref>
It was extensively shot in Kodaikanal, Madurai, Cuddalore and Palani.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 April 2024 |title=Arjun Das And Tanya Ravichandran's 'Rasavathi' Trailer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/arjun-das-and-tanya-ravichandrans-rasavathi-trailer/articleshow/109695864.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430151010/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/arjun-das-and-tanya-ravichandrans-rasavathi-trailer/amp_articleshow/109695864.cms |archive-date=30 April 2024 |access-date=30 April 2024 |website=The Times of India}}</ref>
It theatrically released on 10 May 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-10 |title='Rasavathi' Twitter review: Arjun Das starrer is an elegant exploration of human emotions |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/rasavathi-twitter-review-arjun-das-starrer-is-an-elegant-exploration-of-human-emotions/articleshow/110008759.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510160639/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/rasavathi-twitter-review-arjun-das-starrer-is-an-elegant-exploration-of-human-emotions/articleshow/110008759.cms |archive-date=10 May 2024 |access-date=2024-05-10 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The film received positive reviews from critics and audiences.
== Plot == ''Rasavathi'' is a Tamil romantic action thriller that follows Sadhasiva Pandian, a reclusive Siddha doctor with a traumatic past, who finds solace and love with Surya, a hotel manager also healing from her own scars, in the serene hills of Kodaikanal. Their peaceful life is disrupted by the arrival of Inspector Parasuraj, a volatile and obsessive police officer who has a deeply troubling and vengeful connection to Sadhasiva's past, leading to a psychological cat-and-mouse game as the truth behind their intertwined lives slowly unravels.
==Cast== * Arjun Das as Sadhasiva "Sadha" Pandian * Tanya Ravichandran as Surya * Reshma Venkatesh as Chandra * Sujith Shankar as Inspector Parasuraj "Parasu" * 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
==Production==
===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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 August 2023 |title=Makers unveil first look and title of Magamuni fame Santhakumar's next |url=https://www.dtnext.in/news/cinema/makers-unveil-first-look-and-title-of-magamuni-fame-santhakumars-next-728113 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503054314/https://www.dtnext.in/amp/news/cinema/makers-unveil-first-look-and-title-of-magamuni-fame-santhakumars-next-728113 |archive-date=3 May 2024 |access-date=3 May 2024 |website=DT Next}}</ref>
===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.<ref name=":0" />
===Filming=== Principal photography of the film began on 4 November 2022 and wrapped up on 5 August 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 August 2023 |title=Director Santhakumar's 'Rasavathi-The Alchemist' in post-production stage now |url=https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/santhakumars-rasavathi-the-alchemist-in-post-production-stage-now/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503154447/https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/santhakumars-rasavathi-the-alchemist-in-post-production-stage-now/ |archive-date=3 May 2024 |access-date=3 May 2024 |website=The South First}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 November 2022 |title=Starting my 3rd movie under my production house "DNA Mechanic Company" with |url=https://twitter.com/Santhakumar_Dir/status/1588575167134867456 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503154447/https://twitter.com/Santhakumar_Dir/status/1588575167134867456 |archive-date=3 May 2024 |access-date=3 May 2024 |website=Twitter}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:NOTRS).|date=May 2024}}
==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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 May 2024 |title='Saaral Saaral' song from Rasavathi out |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2024/May/03/saaral-saaral-song-from-rasavathi-out |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511084005/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/tamil/news/2024/May/03/saaral-saaral-song-from-rasavathi-out |archive-date=11 May 2024 |access-date=4 May 2024 |website=Cinema Express}}</ref> The last single "Thai Thai (Rasavathi Fusion)" was released on 8 May 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 May 2024 |title=அர்ஜூன் தாஸ் நடித்துள்ள ரசவாதி… புதிய பாடல் ரிலீஸ்… |url=https://www.apcnewstamil.com/news/cinema-news/thai-thai-rasavathi-fusion-is-out-now-rasavathi-in-theatres-near-you-from-10th-may/83695 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511084047/https://www.apcnewstamil.com/news/cinema-news/thai-thai-rasavathi-fusion-is-out-now-rasavathi-in-theatres-near-you-from-10th-may/83695 |archive-date=11 May 2024 |access-date=9 May 2024 |website=APC News Tamil}}</ref> {{Track listing | headline = Track listing | extra_column = Singer(s) | title1 = Saaral Saaral | length1 = 3:07 | extra1 = S. Thaman<br />Lakshmi Meghana | lyrics1 = Yugabharathi | title2 = Thai Thai | note2 = Rasavathi Fusion | length2 = 4:10 | extra2 = S. Thaman<br />Roshini | lyrics2 = Yugabharathi }}
==Release== ===Theatrical=== ''Rasavathi'' was released in theatres on 10 May 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 May 2024 |title=மகாமுனி இயக்குனரின் அடுத்த படம்! மே 10ம் தேதி வெளியாகும் ரசவாதி! |url=https://www.zeenews.india.com/tamil/movies/arjun-das-and-tanya-ravichandran-starring-rasavathi-movie-releasing-on-may-10-directed-by-shanthakumar-502782/amp |website=Zee Tamil News |language=Ta }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
== 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."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-09 |title=Rasavathi Review: A Slow Burn Thriller That Stands Out For Its Making And Remarkable Performances |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/reviews/tamil/rasavathi-review-a-slow-burn-thriller-that-stands-out-for-its-making-and-remarkable-performances-review-109966664 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510063230/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/reviews/tamil/rasavathi-review-a-slow-burn-thriller-that-stands-out-for-its-making-and-remarkable-performances-review-109966664 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Times Now |language=en}}</ref>
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."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Rasavathi Movie Review : A few compelling characters trapped in a non-compelling film |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/rasavathi/movie-review/109984609.cms |access-date=2024-05-10 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>
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."<ref>{{Cite web |last=B |first=Jayabhuvaneshwari |date=2024-05-10 |title=Rasavathi Movie Review: An effective Arjun Das anchors this middling film with potential |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/review/2024/May/10/rasavathi-movie-review-an-effective-arjun-das-anchors-this-middling-film-with-potential |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511084014/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/review/2024/May/10/rasavathi-movie-review-an-effective-arjun-das-anchors-this-middling-film-with-potential |archive-date=11 May 2024 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == *{{IMDb title}}
Category:2024 Indian films Category:2020s romantic thriller films Category:2024 Tamil-language films Category:Films scored by Thaman S Category:Indian romantic thriller films Category:Tamil-language Indian films