Surely there are similarities between the two films. And I think Ratnam definitely had Rashomon in his mind while making this. Both films are set in a jungle area. Lots of rain in both the films.
Also Rashomon was a film about different interpretations arising from the same incident depending upon WHO tells it and HOW!
Raavan is Ratnam's take on Ramayana and it looks like he too is challenging the perception of the audience and giving the story his own interpretation.
