Shaitaan ( Horror Thriller/ 2024/ Cinema Release)
Writers- Krishnadev Yagnik, Aamil Keeyan Khan
Director- Vikas Bahl
Cast – Madhavan, Ajay Devgn, Jyotika, Jaanki Bodiwala ,Angad Raaj
I am a horror junkie , but of a different category.
I find super natural horrors with the typical bhoot-preyth stuff easier to watch than tense thrillers that are borderline horror.
While the former category might let you get away with some jump scares and bit of atmospherics. But the latter category makes you live through its entire duration on an overworked palpitating heart and wracked nerves.
Shaitaan is THAT kind of horror thriller.
Remake of a Gujarati film Vash, its based around a family whose life takes a ( literally) harrowing turn after meeting a a stranger.
The story takes no time to take off. We are introduced to our 5 main characters within the first 15 minutes and the majority of the film is based in a palatial holiday home located in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by lush green forest, amidst stormy weather.
The setting does add to the feel for sure but what actually makes the story fearful is the water tight situation and the helplessness that has been built around the family. Fine acts by all the five actors deserve much credit for lending the credible feel to the intensity and the horror of the trauma they go through.
Madhavan is sure to get accolades for that effortless, diabolical, yet understated performance. He was evil personified. He could just be a lunatic or a psycho from an RGV film, except that he was much worse. Difficult to believe that he is the same loveable man from Tanu Weds Manu and 3 Idiots . He proves with ease what a fine actor he is.
Ajay Devgn and Jyotika as the helpless ,anguished and cornered parents make your heart weep for them.They were very good and subtle in most of the emotional scenes.
Jaanki Bodiwala pulls off what I would call a not-so-easy role, quite well.
And Angad Raaj is adorable and so natural.
Written by Krishnadev Yagnik and Aamil Keeyan Khan, I would call it a very good script, for pulling off a genre that is extremely difficult to get right. I could describe it as a horror thriller that has occult as its theme rather than usual spirits and possession. They have succeeded in creating a tight situation that keeps its characters and the audience captive. There are a few conveniences that the script uses that were not too convincing. But I am willing to let go of them considering the overall terrific effect that the story creates. Its immensely gratifying climax had me go gaga.
It compensated for all the anguish and grief we went through for the characters.
Vikas Bahl gets it mostly right and kudos to him.
Ajay Devgn once agin proves that a man can go to any limits to protect his family ( This is the third time he proves it after the two Drishyams)
And he also proves that he has a penchant for good horrors. Loved Kaal and Bhoot ( The best ever mainstream Bollywood Horror for me )
The film is not for the weakhearted, not because of the scares that a horror usually gives, but for the fear it makes you live through.
Terrific watch for those whole love horrors or super – tense thrillers.
BHAVNA TALKIES 