"Rajabheema" (2025) is a Tamil action thriller and debut film direction by Naresh Sampath with Arav, Ashima Narwal playing leading roles. Based on the bond between a human and an elephant on the greener grounds of Pollachi.
The tale starts with juvenile Raja developing a strong companionship with Bheema, a wounded elephant, following an unexpected encounter during a stroll alongside his school. Whereas others are afraid of the wild animal, Raja identifies with its suffering and empathizes with it. This nexus strengthens over time, and as a grown-up, Raja (Arav) works together with Bheema to prevent poachers and safeguard wildlife in the forest. Their idyllic life is destroyed when Minister Mandranayagam (KS Ravikumar), seeking political power, believes in a prophecy that requires the offering of a particular elephant Bheema.
Through dirty forest officials and poachers, the minister organizes Bheema's arrest. Drugged and whisked away, Bheema is the subject of a ritual slaughter. Raja, heartbroken but resolute, embarks on a quest to rescue his childhood companion. Racing against time, Raja encounters both physical danger and political hurdles, struggling for justice and the life of the elephant he has known since childhood.
"Rajabheema" has a humane message regarding protecting wildlife and sacred human-animal relationship. Part of the dialogue between Raja and Bheema is even emotionally moving with concern, commitment, and loyalty. The picture has trouble walking its emotional middle ground with politics and action entertainment. Although its intention is to do good, the execution gets repetitive. Lathered-tropes like slow-motion sequences, evil politician plots, and sketchily character women drag along the pace of the movie. Nevertheless, for action audiences who appreciate action with a message and love animal tales, Rajabheema provides emotional scenes that emphasize why elephants should be respected and protected.