I saw this movie yesterday, with my friends Salim and MS member TiC. TiC had got the tickets like a sweet friend, and ensured that we get the I-Max effect by getting us the first row seats. We were in the stall, the film was in the balcony.
I remember the times when I and my friends used to sit under a dim light and talk about ghosts. Those were the good old college days, when I was not married and ghosts were enough to scare me.
One story, I remember, was of a young boy who had his vacations and reached his village at midnight. He was surprised to find a friend at the bus depot. As no one had come to recieve him, he requested this friend to give him a ride on his bicycle. Just around half a mile from his village, his cyclist friend told him that he had to go some other way, and that he would have to walk the rest of the distance. He also asked him to stop by at his own place and inform his mother that he had gone to a another friend for the night. So saying, both of them said goodbye, and our young friend made his way on foot.
As he passed the cyclist's home, he remembered his errand, and after informing his mum, came to his own house and went to sleep.
The next morning, his folks inquired as to how did he get home. On hearing about his bicycle ride, they were shocked, and informed him that the friend he was talking about had died two months ago. Zapped, the young lad refused to believe them, saying that the boy's mother would have said so if that was the case...but she seemed quite normal.
She died last week, too- his father informed him.
This story had taken us unawares in those adolescent days. Such stories do! I have an uncle who is an established writer in Marathi literature. His name is Ratnakar Matkari, and his forte is mysterious thrillers.
One of his stories tells us about two friends who over a drink, start talking about ghosts. One friend believes in them, the other doesn't. Finally they decide to have a bet. Accordingly, the non-believer goes to a nearby lodge and spends the night there. The villagers believe that the hotel is haunted. In the hotel there is a manager who takes Rs.150 as advance and takes him to the room.
The night goes peacefully, and in the morning, when our friend decides to leave the lodge, he is horrified to find the manager dead...stabbed in the back. He knows that the police will hold him at task, as he is the only person staying in the hotel when the murder took place. He rushes out of the hotel, back to his friend and tells him everything. After being convinced that the only way out is by going and registering the complaint, both the friends reach the police station, only to be informed that the murderer is serving his term for the last six years....
If the above two stories have you interested....do make it a point to watch Darna Mana Hain.
THE PLOT
A group friends are on their way to Goa when they decide take a shortcut...a lonely shortcut. As luck would have it, they have a flat tyre in the middle of the jungle. After a lot of discussion, they decide to investigate a lantern that is visible in the darkness all around. So, leaving one chap in the car, the others reach the lantern, which illuminates a small shed in the wilderness. The friends decide to wait for the owner, in hope of some help, and to kill time, start telling each other some stories.
The First Story...
...is of a couple who is driving through a similar jungle, when their car breaks down. The husband opens the bonnet to investigate the problem, and mysteriously vanishes. As the wife frantically searches for her husband...something wierd happens...
My rating: Predictable
The Second Story...
...is of a traveller on Nasik road. He decides to stop at a wayside hotel. He is surprised to find the strange owner who imprisons him, hellbent on making him quit smoking. This owner prides himself on his 70% success rate in making people leave their smoking habit. The other 30%....well, they too stopped smoking!
My rating: Good
The Third Story...
...is of Pandeyji, a school teacher, who is very strict on his students, specially on a little girl who does not do her homework. And one day, she starts doing her homework properly. But, ironically, instead of being happy, Pandeyji starts getting uneasy at this unexpected development. Something disturbs him...
My rating: Good
The Fourth Story...
...is of a housewife who goes to the market to buy apples. After bargaining with some vendors, she is surprised when she gets an unbelievable deal from a vendor. What is the secret of those apples? Are they really apples? When she finds out the secret, her whole world changes in as much time as one needs to...eat an apple, perhaps?
My rating: Silly
The Fifth Story...
...is about Amar, who gives a lift to Mr.John, from near a graveyard. On the way, John tells him that he is dead and is going to town to meet some more dead friends. Is John telling the truth? Or is he playing a prank? Who knows...
My rating: Brilliant
The Sixth Story...
...introduces the viewer to Purab, a collegian who lacks confidence in everything he does. Frustrated to no end, he suddenly acquires a supernatural power. What happens then? I guess I will stop here and ask you to move on and find it out.
My rating: Predictable
Throughout all these narrations, one by one, the friends are leaving the shed for the car...never to return again. Oblivious of their fate, the remaining friends keep on telling their short stories, till finally only two remain. That is when the owner of the lantern returns...and joins them in telling a seventh story- Darna Mana Hain!
THE CAST AND CREDITS
First and foremost, it is not a great film....but yes, it is definitely a different film, an experimental film.
Ram Gopal Verma has, for a change, taken a backseat and just produced this film.
This film marks the directorial debut of Prawaal Raman. He has done a wonderful job, and has ensured that his mentor's image does not get tarnished. A brilliant effort, indeed!
The background music is by Salim-Sulieman, and honestly, much against the public opinion, I felt it was too mediocre. Too predictable. Their use of techno stuff sometimes gets on your nerves. A blend of raw instruments could have done miracles.
The film has no songs. However, the film does have some songs which they have published only in the audio market.
The stories by Atul Sabharwal, Rajnish Thakur, Abbas Tyrewala are nice...short and to the point.
Vishal Sinha's camerawork is brilliant.
From the cast, the people who deserve special mention are Nana Patekar, Raghuveer Yadav, Boman Irani, Sameera Reddy and Shilpa Shetty.
IN CONCLUSION
I recommend this movie for a one time viewing. I do not think that the film has the potential of getting a second time viewer. As I said, it is not a great film. Just watch it for its experimental aspect. It is new, it is different!
As the movie finished, I and my friend Salim tried hailing a rickshaw in vain. Finally, with rains pouring over our heads, we decided to dare them and walk all the way (TiC, you listening?). After all....who is afraid? Not us!
