A Family’s Nightmare Unfolds in ‘Shaitaan’: A Movie Review
‘Shaitaan’, a supernatural horror film, takes audiences on a thrilling rollercoaster ride filled with elements of home invasion and black magic. Starring Ajay Devgn as the loving husband and smart father Kabir, the movie explores the terrifying events that hijack a family’s weekend getaway.
A Gripping Plot
The story begins with Kabir, who diligently keeps an eye on his teenage daughter Janvi, played by Janaki Bodiwala. He is also aware of his precocious son Dhruv’s activities. However, their peaceful weekend takes a dark turn when a mysterious ‘shaitaan’ (played by R Madhavan) suddenly appears, intent on taking over their lives.
Fast-Paced Thrills
‘Shaitaan’ benefits from its crisp and fast-paced narrative. The intruder is swiftly introduced into the family’s plush farmhouse, creating an atmosphere of tension and fear. As the story progresses, the ‘shaitaan’ reveals his knowledge of ‘vashikaran’ (control), manipulating Janvi and instilling fear in Kabir’s wife (Jyothika). The helpless father finds himself pushed to his limits.
A Parable of Control
The film also attempts to explore themes of control over young women. Janaki Bodiwala delivers a compelling performance, conveying both fear and helplessness as she is forced into dangerous situations. Moments of genuine terror are scattered throughout the film, such as a character crouching on a leaking gas cylinder with an open box of matches, their face contorted in fear and anger.
Diminishing Tension
However, the film’s prolonged confrontation between the family and the ‘shaitaan’ leads to a gradual loss of tension. As surprises become predictable and familiar, the impact of the scares diminishes. Even a straight-up lift of an iconic scene from ‘The Shining’ fails to inject new life into the narrative, leaving the audience feeling somewhat fatigued.
A Hero vs Villain Story
‘Shaitaan’, a remake of the Gujarati film ‘Vash’, ultimately prioritizes the hero vs villain dynamic over the supernatural elements. After building anticipation through well-staged command and control sequences featuring Janaki Bodiwala, the focus shifts to Ajay Devgn’s character. While Devgn delivers a solid performance in his role as the family man and savior, the outcome becomes predictable. It is difficult to imagine a hero not emerging victorious, even after enduring a brutal beating.
A Campy Villain
R Madhavan embraces the campy tone of his character, delivering a chilling performance as the ‘shaitaan’. With a demonic snicker here and a sinister smile there, Madhavan captures the essence of the role. However, the script ultimately defangs the villain, robbing him of the opportunity to have the last word and leaving the audience yearning for a more satisfying conclusion.
Final Verdict
‘Shaitaan’ offers moments of genuine scares and a gripping premise, but its extended narrative and predictable hero vs villain storyline prevent it from reaching its full potential. Ajay Devgn and R Madhavan deliver commendable performances, but the film’s failure to fully explore its supernatural elements leaves the audience wanting more.
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