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3.0/5
The film is a remake of the Gujarati horror film Vash (2023). Janki Bodiwala reprises her role from the original here. Kabir (Ajay Devgn) and Jyoti (Jyotika), along with their teenage daughter Jahnvi (Janki Bodiwala), and son Dhruv (Anngad Raaj) drive away to their remote farmhouse to spend some quality time. Their tranquillity shatters when a stranger. Vanraj Kashyap (R Madhavan), enters their world. He somehow takes complete control of Jyoti’s will and makes her a slave of sorts. She harms herself, almost kills her brother, slaps her father and fights with her mother. All this is brought out in visceral detail. The viewer is spared nothing. Kabir and Jyoti try vainly to get Janhvi to listen to them but to no avail. Things keep escalating. Vanraj wants to take away Janhvi but he would only do so with their explicit permission. We learn that he’s an evil tantrik who wants to take over the world. And must sacrifice a bevy of girls to do so. He succeeds in luring Janhvi away and now it’s up to Kabir to save her and other girls from being killed.
The film starts with a disclaimer that the film isn’t propagating superstition and then proceeds to do so for the next two hours. Vanraj equates himself to God, claims he can control anyone if he deems fit and indulges in the sort of mumbo jumbo even street magicians will steer clear off. The climax scene, which showcases mass hypnotism, features young girls all eager to throw themselves in a pyre. There’s no backstory as to why he’s become this instrument of evil. He’s made to spout some nonsense about controlling the life of everyone in the world and we’re supposed to believe that.
Ajay Devgn played a laid-back man who uses his wits to save his family in the Drishyam franchise and kind of steps back into the Drishyam mould again in this film. He’s perfectly cast as the super caring dad who keeps a close watch on his children but gives them ample freedom at the same time. He brings out the helplessness and dedication of a loving father who would do it all to save his world from falling apart perfectly well and looks good in action scenes as well. Jyothika, seen in a Hindi film after aeons, is cast as a caring mother who fights like a wounded lioness when it comes to saving her daughter. Her reactions look totally genuine. She uses her body language and expressive eyes to convey a range of emotions. She shares a good rapport with Ajay Devgn. It’s good to see middle-aged stars being cast together and acting their age. It’s a step in the right direction indeed. Madhavan and Jyothikha have acted in romantic comedies like Dumm Dumm Dumm (2001) and Priyamaana Thozhi (2003) earlier and have a reunion of sorts in Shaitaan. But he’s playing a villain here and not her love interest. Maddy has gotten the best role of the lot and one can be seen having a whale of a time essaying it. He’s really mean and scary, especially in the first half. Janki Bodiwala makes an impressive Hindi debut as the possessed daughter. She makes the viewers root for her and empathise with her predicament.
All-in-all, leaving aside the tantric angle, Shaitaan is a good psychological thriller with good performances all around. The film nosedives during its ending, which could have been executed better.
Trailer : Shaitaan
Dhaval Roy, March 8, 2024, 12:30 PM IST
3.5/5
Story: When a family lets a stranger into their farmhouse, the man mysteriously controls the teenage daughter. She does every bizarre and life-threatening thing he commands her to. What dark secret does the stranger possess, and can this desperate family escape his twisted game?
Review: A good supernatural thriller typically relies on elements of horror and suspense to keep the viewer hooked. Even if it skimps on jump scares but provides an unsettling experience, it’s a job well done. In that sense, director Vikas Bahl has got it right with Shaitaan.
The movie introduces one to Kabir’s (Ajay Devgn) happy family, which includes his wife Jyoti (Jyotika), teenage daughter Jahnavi (Janki Bodiwala), and nerdy son Dhruv (Anngad Raaj). The film quickly builds a sense of unease, as a stranger, Vanraj Kashyap (R Madhavan), enters their lives. He mysteriously gains complete control of Jahnavi, so much so that she obeys every command he gives. Unease soon turns to dread as Vanraj’s orders become increasingly awful and dangerous to Jahnavi herself and her family members. The rest of the story unravels the mystery behind what makes Vanraj powerful, his motive, and if the family will escape his torment.
Shaitaan’s appeal lies in the atmosphere it creates, especially without the use of CGI. It mostly hinges on the antagonist’s sinister intentions and games, which leave you with an unsettling feeling. Written by Aamir Keeyan Khan and Krishnadev Yagnik, the film sidesteps usual horror tropes. But it does touch upon the ageold supernatural versus science debate and human crudity that makes the species as basic as malevolent forces.
The narrative maintains a good pace and the treatment makes the movie gripping for the most part, although things gets a tad monotonous in the second half. Albeit not too suspenseful, the buildup is unnerving. The story has some unconvincing elements, and one scene gives away a pivotal plot point, which makes the climax predictable. Cinematographer Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti excels in creating an atmosphere of dread and darkness, further enhanced by Amit Trivedi’s music.
Madhavan is outstanding as the malevolent figure and pulls off every sinister deed perfectly. Ajay Devgn delivers a powerful performance as a helpless but determined father. Jyotika stands her might, too. Janki Bodiwala deserves to be lauded for her pitch-perfect performance as the young girl under a devious spell. She laughs, cries, dances, and attacks on cue in immediate succession perfectly. Anngad Raaj as the son performs well, too.
Even though Shaitaan’s narrative stumbles at times, the masterful use of atmosphere and top-notch acting elevate it into an unsettling experience worth having.
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Devesh Sharma
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