‘Shaitaan’ movie review: R Madhavan makes the mean monster shine opposite Ajay Devgn in this horror show
March 08, 2024 11:46 am | Up to date 12:07 pm IST
Backed by a poignant premise and highly effective performances, director Vikas Bahl generates some real moments in eerie conditions however surprisingly exhibits a straight bat within the slog overs
R Madhavan in ‘Shaitaan’
Internationally, daddy-saving-daughter tales preserve many growing old motion heroes within the field workplace race. After Drishyam and Bholaa, that is the third movie in a row the place Ajay Devgn performs an overprotective father working in opposition to time to save lots of his sweetheart from a monster. Whereas in Bholaa, the motion star’s invincibility was hardly doubtful, in Shaitaan, like Drishyam, he’s up in opposition to an imposing wall known as R. Madhavan making the competition much more even and therefore participating.
Apparently, like Drishyam, the story of Shaitaan is drawn from a regional movie. Director Vikas Bahl, who’s making an attempt a brand new style in each movie with various success, has tailored the Gujarati movie Vash to create a frantic sensory expertise. It’s arduous to promote a supernatural incidence in 2024 however Vikas manages to strike an emotional chord with a sceptical viewers, the best way Ram Gopal Varma used to do as soon as upon a time.
The story is straightforward and initially gives the look that it has already been informed within the 140-second trailer. Ajay and Jyothika play an city couple who’re struggling to maintain their worldly-wise youngsters in test. On a visit to their farmhouse, they arrive throughout a stranger named Vanraaj (Madhavan). Initially, he looks as if an amiable gentleman who wants somewhat assist however quickly he exhibits his true colors and seems to be an English-speaking occultist who has possessed their daughter Janvi (Janaki Bodiwala).
Shaitaan (Hindi)
Director: Vikas Bahl
Forged: Ajay Devgn, R Madhavan, Jyothika, Janaki Bodiwala
Run-time: 132 minutes
Storyline: Held inside their farmhouse, a pair battles to free their daughter from the spell of a mysterious stranger
It’s the nimble therapy and creepy twists that make Shaitaan leap at you at occasions within the darkness of a multiplex. As an example, in make-or-break conditions, Vanraaj asks Janvi to snigger or dance, guaranteeing the sense of helplessness of oldsters percolates by means of the display screen. Loads of credit score goes to Krishnadev Yagnik’s story which is conscious of creating the characters go barely in opposition to the lay viewers’s expectation from a supernatural setup.
Madhavan, who is thought to play docile characters in Hindi movies, is forged in opposition to sort, making the eerie expertise relatable. He lends Vanraaj a pitch that oscillates between lifelike and larger-than-life. If Ajay faucets the susceptible aspect of a father, Madhavan explores the imply streak of the demon nicely. Equally, Jyothika lends freshness to the mom’s function and offers a component of shock for individuals who have grown up on the romantic beats of Madhavan and Jyothika in Dumm Dumm Dumm (2001). Janaki, who reprises the half she performed within the unique, isn’t unhealthy both.
Had Vanraaj been given a reputable backstory, the movie would have gotten much more depth or one ought to say Gehrayee (1980), the Aruna-Vikas traditional horror that was additionally a couple of lady possessed by a spirit. It had a robust undercurrent on the horrors of lopsided growth however right here, from the appeal of pretend information to the spell of a demagogue on blind followers, there are many potentialities and metaphors that appear ready to be addressed however the writers choose to maintain it a straight battle between black and white. Even the verdant potential of a reputation like Vanraaj and the presence of transgenders in his staff have neither been exploited nor explored.
Maybe, the truth that Devgn can be the co-producer of the movie got here in the best way. Maybe, the makers sought to retain the U/A certificates for a horror movie that showcases black magic with a disclaimer that it doesn’t help it. In any other case, with somewhat extra writer help, it could have develop into a Madhavan present all the best way. After a wise flourish within the denouement, the post-script feels pressured to maintain the heroic standing of Ajay intact however it’s Madhavan who makes certain that one shuts the door the subsequent time one comes throughout a smooth-talking stranger.
