I recently watched the latest Amazon Prime release, Chhorii 2, and I want to share my experience with this horror thriller. The film has been directed by Vishal Furia and features my favorite Nushrratt Bharuccha in the main role, alongside Soha Ali Khan, and talented Gashmeer Mahajani. I was eagerly expecting this film for a long period of time and had nearly forgotten the story. The first film was also a horror thriller that is my favorite genre. With a good cast, the sequel also held much promise to be thrilling.
Chhorii 2 begins seven years after the first film. Sakshi(Nushrratt Bharuccha) is now living with her seven-year-old daughter Ishani, who has a rare medical condition that means being in the sun could harm her. Their idyllic life is turned upside down when Ishani gets mysteriously abducted by villagers who are related to a cult living underground. The cult intends to sacrifice her to the deity of an ancient demonic god. Sakshi must combat this superstitious cult and confront Daasi Maa(Soha Ali Khan), the evil high priestess- in order to find and save her daughter. She gets some assistance along the way from Inspector Samar(Gashmeer Mahajani), who wants to support her through this terrifying ordeal.
The film is approximately 2 hours and 12 minutes long, and in all honesty, it did feel a bit stretched. Chhorii 2 combines supernatural horror with social issues such as superstition and child marriage. The horror content is relatively intense, particularly in the first half, with some of the scenes being set up to make you jump or feel uncomfortable. The movie also goes back over some of the key scenes in the original movie, which makes it easier for new watchers to keep up with what is going on. But the second half is a total drag. Certain scenes, especially those in the underground areas, have the same concepts reused and lose their tension. And Samar, the police officer, is underutilized as a character, and I wished they had done more with him.
I think the film is trying to accomplish a lot; it wants to deliver a social message but still remain a horror film. It could have used better editing and effects as visual is everything. Had the film kept a better pace and eliminated some unnecessary content, it would have been better. Sure, the film touches on the dangers of blind faith and superstitions and highlights the issue of child marriage, which adds depth to the scary story. This makes the movie more than just a typical horror film. However, I would have loved it to be just a horror story.
Overall, Chhorri 2 is a decent one-time watch, that too if you want something for a change. If you are a pure horror-thriller fan, then it might disappoint you. The visual effects, sounds, and jumpscares are too generic. The story is unique but there is no surprising climax. However, I loved the acting of all the actors, especially Gashmeer for his small but significant role. The film creates a creepy atmosphere and delivers some good horror moments, but fails to sustain it.