"Shaitaan" Movie Review

 

"Shaitaan" : Script Analysis


    Ajay Devgn's "Shaitaan" is a remake of the Gujarati film "Vash" (2023), offering a promising premise with a mysterious character, Vanraj, entering the lives of Kabir and his family. The first half builds up well, creating intrigue around Vanraj's intentions and the unsettling behavior of Kabir's daughter, Janvi. Some scenes, like those involving a swing and encounters with the police, keep viewers engaged. However, the screenplay falters in the second half, particularly towards the climax, failing to deliver on the initial promise. R. Madhavan's portrayal of Vanraj lacks impact, and the narrative loses direction, leaving audiences impatient for answers. The lack of risks taken by the writer results in a predictable and ultimately disappointing conclusion, despite the potential of the original story. Overall, "Shaitaan" falls short of expectations, failing to capitalize on its intriguing premise and ending on a confusing and unsatisfying note.

Star Performance

    R. Madhavan delivers a captivating performance as Vanraj, infusing the character with mystery and spookiness, adding an unsettling tone to the story. However, there are moments where his portrayal may feel exaggerated. Ajay Devgn's Kabir resembles his previous roles in "Drishyam" movies, lacking the cleverness of Vijay Salgaonkar. While Devgn performs his part competently, the script doesn't offer him many standout moments. Janki Bodiwala impresses as Janvi, effectively balancing the portrayal of being possessed and terrified. Jyotika's performance is decent but lacks depth compared to Ajay's character.

 

Direction, Music

Director Vikas Bahl effectively creates an eerie atmosphere with the locations, setting the story in a farmhouse amidst dense forests during the monsoon season, accompanied by thunder and rain. Some scenes effectively portray Vanraj as creepy, generating concern for Janvi. However, overall, Bahl fails to give the story the treatment it deserves, particularly in the poorly executed climax. Despite the promising setup, the lack of frightening elements disappoints viewers. The ambiguity surrounding Vanraj's character also detracts from the narrative's impact. The film's music, composed by Amit Trivedi, receives praise, particularly the background score and title track, but fails to elevate the mediocre story's intensity.

 

The Last Word

In conclusion, "Shaitaan" had the ingredients to be a compelling supernatural thriller, but it falls short of expectations. While the first half is passable, the second half devolves into a messy and confusing narrative. The climax is particularly disappointing, leaving viewers with a sense of dissatisfaction and a lack of closure. Overall, despite its potential, "Shaitaan" fails to deliver a satisfying experience.

 

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