After a brief hiatus, and missing the reviews of 'Kai Po Chhe' and "Mere Dad Ki Maruti', am back with the review of a thriller-horror flick, for the first time. 'Ek Thi Daayan'(ETD) coming from Vishal Bharadwaj and Ekta Kapoor's stable with a powerhouse of performers, seemed exciting enough for me to watch it on a festival, Shri ram Navami. But, just like ramarasam thats made on ram Navami, this movie had quite a few pungent ingredients, making it just about an average flick.
Music by Vishal Bharadwaj, Story developed from a short story by Konkana's father and direction by debutant, Kannan Iyer, the movie gives quite a lot of thrills, but has a sloppy end. Bobo, played by Emraan Hashmi, is a top magician, who has a dark past associated with 'Daayans' in his childhood. These Daayans come to haunt him in his present, thats when he seeks help from his old psychiatrist and girlfriend/wife, Tamara (Huma Qureshi).
His past relates to his hatred for his nanny-turned-step mom, Diana, played by the brilliant, Konkana Sen Sharma. The first half totally belongs to her and she keeps you confused with her wonderful histrionics and expresses mostly through her eyes. Cut to the present, his wife wants him to sell the flat that reminds him of his dark past. Then enters, Lisa Dutt, played by Kalki Koechlin, who arrives from USA and is a big fan of Bobo. The narrative then revolves around connecting the dots that Bobo reads in a 'tantrik' book. And yes, there is/are Daayans in the movie too. To find out who that is/are, catch the movie at a theater near you! :P
Coming to the performances, Emraan Hashmi is good, but may be an intense actor could have done the part better. Konkana Sen Sharma is sheer brilliance! Huma Qureshi and Kalki play their part well, though Kalki has a very small role, comparatively. The background music is spooky, and the cinematography adds to the terror. My only complain being the pace of the film in the second half and the predictable ending. Wish there was a more sophisticated or logical conclusion, something more shocking.
On the whole, being a horror flick, it gives enough shout-out-loud moments, but, as i said, the pungent ingredients make it a little too sour. My Rating- 2.75/5
Music by Vishal Bharadwaj, Story developed from a short story by Konkana's father and direction by debutant, Kannan Iyer, the movie gives quite a lot of thrills, but has a sloppy end. Bobo, played by Emraan Hashmi, is a top magician, who has a dark past associated with 'Daayans' in his childhood. These Daayans come to haunt him in his present, thats when he seeks help from his old psychiatrist and girlfriend/wife, Tamara (Huma Qureshi).
His past relates to his hatred for his nanny-turned-step mom, Diana, played by the brilliant, Konkana Sen Sharma. The first half totally belongs to her and she keeps you confused with her wonderful histrionics and expresses mostly through her eyes. Cut to the present, his wife wants him to sell the flat that reminds him of his dark past. Then enters, Lisa Dutt, played by Kalki Koechlin, who arrives from USA and is a big fan of Bobo. The narrative then revolves around connecting the dots that Bobo reads in a 'tantrik' book. And yes, there is/are Daayans in the movie too. To find out who that is/are, catch the movie at a theater near you! :P
Coming to the performances, Emraan Hashmi is good, but may be an intense actor could have done the part better. Konkana Sen Sharma is sheer brilliance! Huma Qureshi and Kalki play their part well, though Kalki has a very small role, comparatively. The background music is spooky, and the cinematography adds to the terror. My only complain being the pace of the film in the second half and the predictable ending. Wish there was a more sophisticated or logical conclusion, something more shocking.
On the whole, being a horror flick, it gives enough shout-out-loud moments, but, as i said, the pungent ingredients make it a little too sour. My Rating- 2.75/5
