Apr 19, 2013 10:18 AM
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Horror films have become a regular fare in our cinema but most of them, several times, are more or less clones of each other. Most of them focus on aatma, tantriks or haunted houses, with slight variations. Ek Thi Daayan however is an exception. It is unlike any other horror flick one has witnessed in Bollywood. Storyline is novel and Kannan Iyer’s gripping direction makes Ek Thi Daayan an absolutely riveting fare. And yes, it does give a scare as well!
The story of the movie: Bobo (Emraan Hashmi) is country’s most accomplished magician and illusionist. He’s all set to get married to Tamara (Huma Qureshi). But all of a sudden, his tragic childhood comes to the fore and starts haunting him. Two more women, meanwhile, enter his life – Daayna (Konkona Sen Sharma) and Lisa (Kalki Koechlin) and the more Bobo tries to get out of his past and the wrath of a certain ‘daayan’, the more he gets sucked into the trap.
Ek Thi Daayan maintains a great balance. It is scary and spooky, yes, but still fit for universal viewing (the U/A certificate is just apt). Moreover, rarely a film in Bollywood has dealt with daayans. Kannan Iyer, hence, ensures that the concept and characteristics of daayans is deciphered well by the audience, but not to the point of spoon feeding. Also, the special effects are simply outstanding and again, unlike, something seen in Hindi cinema before. Hence, all those who love horror fares but have reservations with filmy and tacky VFX can be assured for a thrilling ride with Ek Thi Daayan!
Ek Thi Daayan commences well with Emraan Hashmi’s entry but surprisingly soon falls for around 10-15 minutes. However, the film picks up as the flashback commences which turns out to be the best part of the enterprise. The intermission point is scary as hell. Things go great in the second hour too. The climax is exciting but one wishes things were not so convenient at this juncture. After all, it’s a face-off with a daayan! Surely, more drama (and arguably, more violence and more torture) would have made things even better. The other issue with the film is the cheesy dialogues, expressions and situations in between which just doesn’t go well with the realistic feel of the film. One can easily make out the audiences in Emraan’s shows are not actually amazed and are acting. Few conversations of Emraan-Huma seem plastic. Also, the very final scene and dialogue in the film doesn’t serve the purpose well.
Ek Thi Daayan is embellished with some great performances. Emraan Hashmi once again excels and delivers a stupendous performance. Surprisingly, he’s relegated to backseat in the first half and overall, he allows the heroines to take over. Yet, he manages to maintain a strong position. Moreover, he seems absolutely convincing when he’s performing those eye-popping magic tricks! Another fine performance from this talented performer!
Out of the three heroines, it’s Konkona Sen Sharma that takes the cake, without a shred of doubt! The manner in which she essays her mystifying character and comes out with victory is just seen to be believed. Konkona has delivered several hard-hitting performances but Ek Thi Daayan shall be one of her most memorable performances for sure! And one hopes we get to see her often! Huma Qureshi looks charming and as expected, delivers a fine performance. She shines in several scenes, especially the climax. Kalki Koechlin sadly gets overpowered by the other two heroines but does manage to leave a mark, nevertheless. Pavan Malhotra (Emraan’s father) is natural as always. Rajatava Dutta (Emraan’s doctor) overacts a bit but is overall excellent. Vishesh Tiwari (young Emraan) is absolutely rocking and essays his complex role with élan. Bhavesh Balchandani (Zubin) and the actor playing Emraan’s sister are adorable.
Vishal Bhardwaj’s music was good, although arguably there was no need for most of the tracks in the film. Launtungi Main is the best of the lot and its haunting feel is perfectly in sync with the mood of the film. Kaali Kaali too has a haunted feel while Totey Udd Gaye is quite peppy. Clintin Cerejo’s background score enhances impact. Sets are spooky enough and special mention should go to the vintage flat and the elevator where significant portions of the film are shot. Brilliant! Story, by Vishal Bhardwaj and Mukul Sharma (Konkona’s father) is novel and imaginative Bhardwaj’s dialogues are more or less fair. Kannan Iyer’s direction is rocking and it’s hard to imagine that it’s his debut film. The director doesn’t waste time and packs in a lot in those 130 minutes. Also, the entire witchcraft element, alien to most, is neatly put forward. One wishes the climax was more exciting and also the concept of ‘pisaach’ (male equivalent of ‘daayan’) was better explained because audiences are caught unawares when it suddenly comes to the fore. But overall, a fine effort for sure!
Some of the best scenes:
The opening titles (haunting!)
Bobo’s entry
Bobo opens the chest in his house
Bobo’s flashback (outstanding!)
The interval point
Lisa’s entry
The last 25 minutes
On the whole, Ek Thi Daayan is a brilliant, imaginative horror flick and one of the best to have come out of Bollywood. The film maintains a great balance in the sense that it is spooky but at the same time, fit for universal viewing. Also, it’s artistic but has trappings of a ‘commercial entertainer’ as well, thus brightening its prospects at the box office. Surely, worth a watch, and that too in theatres! Go for it…let the daayan scare the daylights out of you!
