The promos on TV, did give a good feeling about this movie. The trailer plus the songs carried executed in style was what made us sit up and take notice of this Film by RGV. Of course u also had his impressive star Cast - Ajay Devgun, who of late is doing excellent roles, Urmila Matondkar, Nana Patekar and the rest of the gang.
And what better time to see this film than the late night show. With a lot of expectations, we decided to take in this movie. Mom was a bit skeptical about coming, as she is not so keen on the scary factor. But after some cajoling she did join us for the movie.
A packed theatre, it was where we went. Unfortunately, the seats we got were near the speakers. The movie started with the titles coming on.But when it did, it set me wondering, whether I did the right thing to come watch this movie. The cinematographer, takes us thro the streets of mumbai, with a jarring effect.
The movie starts of with Ajay Devgun on a house hunt in the Rains. His eyes lock on to a building, and he feels great when he hears about a vacant flat there. He is not perturbed, when he is told of a suicide by the ex tenant of the house A Manjit Khosla.
Soon, he and his wife (played by Urmila) move into the house. All is well, and the mood is just right. You are then introduced to the lecherous watchman, who has a habit of sneaking up on you.
It is then that UM is told about the death, and she is upset. Ofcourse, soon some cajoling has her cool down. But it never leaves her mind.
Now, you feel it in your Bones..The chills are gonna start you say. But all that happens re some sharp sounds ( the door bell -the speaker being just above me, we all were jangled each time).
A few scare attempt are made by the director using sound. In fact more eeirier sounds were made by the audience ( which incidently had kids aged 8 - 15).
It was around this time that the audience was having fun, giggling away.
Suddenly you are introduced to the spook. It does startle you, But that is about all the scare that you get in the film.
Ofcourse UM gets possesed by Manjit, and she goes into hyper Aerobics. With the help of the bai ( played by Seema Biswas) , UM is now bound to the bed. ( This happens after she kills the watchman).
This brings on the scene, a lost soul who has to assert again and again that he is Liaqat Qureshi. This lost soul is Nana Patekar, and he is playing the Cops Role.
NExt we have to have a psychiatrist, and what better than having one who has probs of his own. a daughter on the deathbed. So, you have Victor Bannerjee, who comes in to treat UM. It is here that you see a scene wherein VB hears the possesed UM appeal to him in his daughters voice ( Mind you this idea was stolen by the film Exorcist years ago).
Amidst all this the bai (SB) asserts to AD, that this person, with the sunken eyes is not his wife, but Manjit ( she recognises the voice - yahoo!).
What happens next is u have the exorcist coming in. Rekha does surprise you with the role. But then she tries to bring an intensity into the role, by looking as intense as possible.
Soon, we have her asking about Manjits mother, who is traced using the Cop Files, and we realise that it is a tense Tanuja. Geez! Intense film indeed.
And then on the film goes berserk. Another character is introduced, and you are taken on the usual vendatta story. I could go on, but it’d be a shame to let on the ending. Why disappoint someone who hasn’t seen the film. Let them too enjoy? the film.
Performances - I’d vote for just Ajay and Urmila. The Angst and helplessness portrayed by Ajay was fabulous. Urmila, is becoming an expert on the subject of fear, and the art of scaring.
Rekha, Tanuja, Victor are in the film with as near to Wooden Expressions as possible.
Another major star - not to be missed out is the LIFT, (the top view), shown so many times, that I almost starting humming Lift Kara De.
Eventually, I realised why RGV issues a warning at the start of the film. It says -
Pregnant Women and weak hearted people are advised to watch the film at their own risk’ or something similar.
It would be tough wouldn’t it, if women would start delivering babies, courtsy uncontrollable laughter?
Thats how all the audience came out of the theatre - laughing, giggling, with sarcastic comments lining the aisle.