Shaitaan, a recent Bollywood offering, attempts to weave a supernatural horror tale. The film boasts a stellar cast – Ajay Devgn, R. Madhavan, and Jyotika – but struggles to deliver a consistently chilling experience.
The plot centers around a happy family’s weekend getaway that takes a sinister turn with the arrival of Vanraj (Madhavan). Vanraj, with his unsettling demeanor, claims to possess otherworldly powers and targets the family’s young daughter. The initial sequences are undeniably creepy, effectively building suspense as Vanraj’s influence grows. Madhavan is particularly impressive, portraying a character that walks the line between charming and unnervingly manipulative.
However, Shaitaan falters in the second half. The narrative loses focus, veering away from the initial psychological horror towards more generic horror tropes. Vanraj’s character loses its complexity, and the explanations provided for his motives feel unsatisfying. The film also suffers from tonal inconsistency, with moments of genuine horror undercut by melodrama.
Despite the narrative shortcomings, the performances remain a saving grace. Devgn portrays the father’s desperation convincingly, while Jyotika delivers a powerful performance as the mother battling to protect her family. The film also benefits from Amit Trivedi’s atmospheric music and some well-crafted cinematography that creates an unsettling visual landscape.
Should you watch it?
Shaitaan is a film with both strengths and weaknesses. If you’re looking for a tightly woven horror masterpiece, this might not be it. However, if you’re intrigued by the premise and appreciate strong acting, it could offer a moderately entertaining watch. Just be prepared for the initial scares to be overshadowed by a somewhat underwhelming conclusion. Article is written by Gemini