Director: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Ajay Devgn, R Madhavan, Jyothika, Janki Bodiwala and others
Where: In theatres near you
Ratings: 3 stars
A subject like black magic has been untouched by Hindi filmmakers certainly from a long time, but director Vikak Bahl of Queen, Super 30 fame brings an official Hindi remake of 2023-Gujarati film Vash that is surprising enough to be considered as a decent adaptation in the genre.
A happy family of Ajay, Jyothika and Janki is disrupted when a mysterious Madhavan slyly walks into their house and manipulates the daughter against her own family. The first look of the film depicts the core narrative but there are several jump-scare moments beneath it.
As for director Vikas Bahl, who has been associated with films like Shaandaaar in the past, audiences had no hopes left from him or his further filmography but Super 30 saved him big time, and Shaitaan surely stands tall in almost every aspect. Although, the second half could have been chopped off, it is manageable.
Black magic is an interesting bet on a film like this that is a remake with two male stars and one female star primarily belonging to the South film industry, who marked her Hindi comeback with Shaitaan. The film sails smoothly until second half’s slow-paced narrative. Vikas has definitely made a taut film but keeping the original in mind, it is more of a safe and smart film.
The highlight of the film is its background score. Be it Shivaay, Bholaa or Runway 34, Ajay has an observable pattern of being technically sound and upto the mark always. Shaitaan is packaged well to serve modern-day India and its sensibilities.
R Madhavan, an epitome of an actor, shines out right from the start. He even overpowers Ajay’s usual good performance this time. He is the heartbeat of Shaitaan. Ajay impresses you in most of his portions. Jyothika is someone you can’t ignore either, her presence in the film makes you feel like a happy viewer. Janki does her part so aptly. The cast surely upholds the film beyond Vikas’ frame.
Vikas’ Shaitaan is palatable and somewhat does justice in the space of psychological-supernatural thrillers but the question here is whether urban audiences are willing to see a superstitious and fictitious tale of black magic in the era of social media.
Shaitaan is a decent attempt at making something unsuitable for the ‘Netflix and chill’ generation. But do give it a try!
