shaitaan movie review

                             SHAITAAN 

         

 Let us explore this dark and twisted psychological thriller. In this blog post, we'll delve into the captivating genre that leaves audiences on the edge of their seats, questioning reality, and fearing the unknown. Title of movie “Shaitaan” means Devil which itself symbolizes the call of evil force in the story. Movie fascinates and arouse curiosity with the concept of black magic and its dangerous potential capabilities towards society.

Cast:

This film is made with only five actors including Ajay Devgn as Kabir Rishi, R. Madhavan as Vanraj Kashyap, Jyothika as Jyoti Rishi (Kabir's wife), Janki Bodiwala as Janhvi Rishi (Kabir's daughter) and Anngad Raaj as Dhruv Rishi (Kabir's son) but story primarily revolves around Kabir, Vanraj and Janhvi. All the actors have performed their roles to the perfection but Janki’s acting stood out to be spectacular. She made people believe in the film. Overall, no doubts can be raised on the cast and the movie is directed by one of the popular film makers of Bollywood industry, that is, Vikas Bahl. 

Plot:

The story begins with a blissful nuclear family, living life to the fullest and showcasing a warm, friendly, and understanding parenting culture. Through their portrayal, the audience establishes a strong connection with the family. The family decides to take a short vacation at their farmhouse. During their journey, they stop at a restaurant where a humble gentleman strikes up a friendly conversation with the family and offers Janhvi, their daughter, some ladoo.

Upon reaching their farmhouse, the man unexpectedly follows them and enters their house, claiming he needs to recharge his mobile battery. Soon, Kabir and his wife realize something is amiss and confront the man, who reveals himself to be involved in black magic and asserts control over Janhvi. He demonstrates his power by commanding Janhvi to perform bizarre actions, shocking her parents as she obediently complies, seemingly under his spell.

The story takes a dramatic turn as the man asserts his intention to take Janhvi with him against her family's will. A fierce struggle ensues between the family and the diabolical man, Vanraj. Throughout the ordeal, Janhvi becomes a puppet, executing Vanraj's sinister commands, including stabbing her father and endangering her brother by throwing him off the roof.

Despite the family's efforts to resist, Vanraj ultimately succeeds in taking Janhvi with him. However, Kabir refuses to accept defeat and embarks on a perilous search to rescue his daughter. Along the way, he discovers other girls held captive by Vanraj, strengthening his resolve. In a final confrontation, Kabir confronts Vanraj and successfully rescues Janhvi, bringing an end to the nightmare and restoring peace to their family.

Theatre Experience:

Atmosphere plays a crucial role in psychological horror, setting the tone for a chilling and unsettling experience. The use of music in the movie enhances the acting skills and scenes significantly. By blending elemental music for fear with drama and suspense, this film offers a more nuanced and thought-provoking approach to the genre. In such a movie, one cannot simply sit back, relax, and enjoy; instead, you are drawn into the eerie atmosphere, which intensifies as the plot unfolds.

The audience becomes deeply attached to the family, feeling the pain of the parents as they struggle against the malevolent force of Vanraj. The hatred towards Vanraj mirrors that of the parents, and the audience is invested in the family's desperate bid to escape the situation. With each twist and turn, the tension mounts, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

Ultimately, the movie provides a sense of relief and catharsis with its happy ending. As the ordeal concludes, there is a palpable sense of release and calm, leaving viewers with a satisfying resolution to the gripping tale.

Critics and Review:

Although the movie performed well in theatres, critics were somewhat harsh in their assessment. Upon the release of the trailer, critics hailed it as an intriguing addition to the Bollywood industry, with high expectations for the final product. However, they found the actual execution lacking, deeming the script to be loosely constructed and expressing disappointment with the ending, which they felt was too predictable.

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, only 46% of 13 critics' reviews were positive, with an average rating of 5.3/10. However, the movie boasts a respectable 7.6 rating on IMDb. The Times of India gave the film 3.5/5, praising its masterful use of atmosphere and top-notch acting despite occasional narrative stumbles. Conversely, Sana Farzeen of India Today rated it 2.5/5, attributing its shortcomings to a weak script and the pressure of helming a remake. Lachmi Deb Roy of Firstpost also rated it 2.5 out of 5, criticizing its portrayal of the battle between good and evil as messy and disjointed.

Despite the mixed critical reception, the audience on social media largely considers the movie a one-time must-watch thriller.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, whether you're a fan of psychological thrillers or simply seeking a gripping cinematic experience, "Shaitaan" proves to be a worthy addition to your watchlist. With its blend of suspense, drama, and supernatural elements, the film offers a chilling reminder of the power of storytelling to evoke emotions and provoke reflection.