| Cast: |
Dino
Moreo, Bipasha Basu |
| Director: |
Vikram
Bhatt |
| Producer: |
Tips and Vishesh Films' |
Tips
and Vishesh Films' RAAZ, directed by Vikram Bhatt,
is a psycho-thriller inspired by the Harrison Ford-Michelle
Pfeiffer flick WHAT LIES BENEATH.
It's
the story of a young couple, Aditya Dhanraj (Dino
Moreo) and his wife Sanjana Dhanraj (Bipasha Basu).
They are on the brink of a divorce. They decide to
give their marriage one last shot and go back to Ooty.
Ooty
- the place where they fell in love!
Ooty
and their dream house, however, turn out to be a nightmare.
Their house is haunted. There is someone there and
only Sanjana can see that. There seems to be a link
between their crumbling marriage and the haunting.
In
an era when patriotic films and family socials are
the order of the day, director Vikram Bhatt has dared
to be different by choosing a theme that defies the
stereotype. It's indeed thorny to make a film on the
supernatural since one has maintain consistency throughout.
Also, it is courageous to cast new faces in a script
that demands seasoned performers.
RAAZ
is a supernatural thriller that takes the viewer by
his hesitant hand and leads him through a series of
suspenseful occurrences. It reflects a fascination
for Hitchcock's classic thrillers REAR WINDOW and
PSYCHO.
Unlike
films of this genre, where the eerie atmosphere is
introduced after the mandatory songs and cliches,
director Vikram Bhatt and writer Mahesh Bhatt come
to the point in the first reel itself.
These
sequences have been canned with utmost care. The slow
camera movement, the usage of extended silences and
sudden noises, and thrill-seeking moments, like the
sudden double reflection in the mirror (interval point),
send a chill down the spine.
The
sequences between Bipasha and the spirit succeed in
terrifying the viewer. But after a promising first
half, the pace slackens in the post-interval portions.
The flashback, which is supposed to be the soul of
a psycho-thriller, starts off on a slow note and picks
up momentum gradually. Also, the 'sher-shiari' bit
was just not required and looks completely out of
sync with the mood of the film.
The
pace picks up again and the narrative gets absorbing
when the girl (Malini Sharma) starts getting extra
possessive. The telephone conversation, involving
Dino-Bipasha, and Malini's subsequent outburst is
simply brilliant. So is the death sequence that follows
soon after.
But
the climax looks contrived and doesn't measure up
to the expectations. Although deftly executed, the
end seems like too much of a cinematic liberty, with
the spirit, who has entered Ashutosh Rana's body now,
getting unconscious after Bipasha crashes her car
into him.
This
particular aspect seems a bit far-fetched, for the
extremely powerful spirit has the capacity to make
people fly, have blood pouring from the chandelier,
electrocute people and what not. In that context,
for the spirit to suddenly remain dormant temporarily,
more so when Bipasha is out to put an end to it, seems
implausible. A more appropriate sequence should've
been thought of!
Director
Vikram Bhatt has chosen the right story and even presented
it with elan, but he should've concentrated on making
the second half believable. However, the execution
of a few eerie sequences gives the impression that
one is watching a Hollywood flick.
Nadeem-Shravan's
music is easy on the ears. The songs are pleasant-sounding
and extremely popular with cinegoers as well. 'Jo
Bhi Kasme Khayi Thi Humne', 'Main Agar Saamne Aa Bhi
Jaaya Karu' and 'Aapke Pyaar Mein Hum Sawarne Lage'
are gems, although 'Kitna Pyara Hai Yeh Chehra' can
easily be deleted for it seems forced in the goings-on.
Pravin
Bhatt's cinematography is up to the mark. The background
score (Raju Rao) enhances the impact of several sequences.
Dialogues (Girish Dhamija) gel well with the mood
of the film.
Dino
Morea looks photogenic, but needs to work hard on
expressions. Although this is Bipasha Basu's second
film, the actress carries off a complex role with
aplomb. She shows a marked growth as an actress.
Ashutosh
Rana is excellent in a role that fits him like a glove.
His expressions, when he senses the presence of the
spirit around him, deserve special mention. Malini
Sharma comes in the latter half and although her role
is small, the impact is solid. A natural actress!
Shruti
Ulfat, as Bipasha's friend, is first-rate. Vishwajeet
Pradhan makes his presence felt.
On
the whole, RAAZ is a well-crafted film that has the
right combo required for a psycho-thriller - eerie
atmosphere and tuneful music. But a theme like this
always has its share of non-believers. In that respect,
the response to the film will be mixed. Business in
Mumbai should prove to be the best
