Bollywood’s attempt of the horror genre has always been a mixed bag. This year, Ajay Devgn and R Madhavan, starring in “Shaitaan,” attempt to inject a fresh dose of terror, drawing inspiration from the 2019 Gujarati film “Vash.”
Shaitaan kicks off with a prologue that sends shivers down your spine, setting the stage for a chilling rollercoaster ride. We meet Kabir Rishi (Ajay Devgn), the quintessential family man with his ever-supportive wife Jyoti (Jyothika). They’re living the perfect suburban life, complete with a picture-perfect family and a successful career. Then, on a seemingly ordinary trip to their cozy farmhouse, everything flips upside down. But as the saying goes, good times never last forever, especially when a creepy dude with questionable intentions shows up at your doorstep.
At first, Vanraaj (R. Madhavan) seems like a harmless hitchhiker, and a well-read person, in need of a helping hand. But don’t let his smooth talk fool you – this guy is the ultimate party crasher; except the party he’s crashing is your daughter’s soul. The initial suspense builds beautifully as he engages in ordinary conversations with Jhanvi (Janki Bodiwala). However, his unsettling demeanour and cryptic remarks send a wave of terror that washes over you.
The film cleverly portrays the escalating terror through the eyes of a desperate mother. Witnessing Vanraaj’s growing influence over her daughter, she grapples with a mother’s worst nightmare. It’s a performance that will leave you clutching your pearls (or popcorn bucket, depending on your horror movie etiquette).
One of the most chilling aspects is his power of suggestion and manipulation. He’s like a master puppeteer, pulling the strings of Jhanvi’s innocence with a subtle yet pervasive touch. He plants dark commands that manifest as bizarre behaviours, leaving everyone questioning whether he possesses actual supernatural powers or if it’s all a mind game. This cat-and-mouse chase between good and evil keeps you glued to the screen, desperate to unravel the truth.
Unfortunately, the film stumbles a bit as it progresses. The initial focus on psychological horror starts to unravel, leaving the villain’s motivations shrouded in mystery. The narrative takes a detour into jump scares and increasingly violent acts by Jhanvi, tactics that feel repetitive and diminish the initial suspense.
The climax is predictable, which wouldn’t be a deal-breaker if executed well. However, the excruciatingly long sacrifice sequence and Madhavan’s over-the-top tantrik makeup leave you feeling more confused than scared.
The final victory scene, where the dad is obviously successful in saving his daughter, no matter how many cursed women he had to go through, mixed with the opening shot of a rotting rat, further weakens the impact. It’s a missed opportunity to leave a knot of unease in your stomach, the kind that lingers long after the credits roll.
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