Raatchasi

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Raatchasi is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language social drama directed by Syed Gowthamraj. It stars Jyothika as Geeta Rani, an Indian Army officer who retires to become the headmistress of a struggling government school in a village. She is determined to transform the school and the education system.

Geeta Rani discovers neglect, lack of discipline, and corruption at the school. She takes bold steps: ringing the bell to gather students, organizing a warm-up, stopping a local shop from selling tobacco to kids, and calling a parents’ meeting. She also gets the Public Works Department to clean and repair the campus. Soon the school improves and students start showing interest in academics and activities. However, Ramalingam, the powerful chairman of the GSV Group of Schools, sees her as a threat and tries to stop her by sending goons and filing a fake complaint that brings an inspection.

The District Collector, impressed by the changes, supports her work. Geeta Rani then learns that 89 ninth‑grade students have failed. She challenges the teachers and decides to promote many of them to the 10th standard, recognizing their practical skills like masonry and welding.

During summer vacation, she prepares for the SSLC exams. She learns a personal connection to Kathir, her late boyfriend, through his mother Susheela, linking to her dream of reform. Geeta Rani is arrested for promoting failed students without permission, and students, parents, and staff protest for her release. The next day the SSLC results are announced: out of 82 students, 79 pass, and 14 score above 400/500. The film ends with the school transformed into one of the state’s best institutions, fulfilling Geeta Rani’s vision.

Raatchasi was the director Gowthamraj’s debut. The music is by Sean Roldan, with the soundtrack released on June 20, 2019. The film released in theatres on July 5, 2019, and has a runtime of 136 minutes.

The movie received mixed reviews. Many critics praised Jyothika’s performance, while some panned the screenplay and melodrama. It was dubbed in Hindi as Madam Geeta Rani in 2020. The film also drew attention in Malaysia, where the Education Minister praised its social message and invited the team for a screening.