If screaming aloud unnecessarily, stupid melodramas, tacky sound effects and poor execution is what defines a horror film, then Varma’s Phoonk 2 is the best horror flick Bollywood has seen so far. Hope Varma still remembers his bet of giving away 10,000 US dollars to those who dare watch his trophy flick alone.
Is it really this film for which Ram Gopal Varma told people in India to go through their ECG tests to check their heartbeats! Varma is still sticking to the horror that limits itself to confusions, illusions, but nothing concrete. You keep on waiting for the ghosts to appear on the screen to scare the hell out of you for two hours only to end up disappointed.
Though Phoonk 2 follows its first sequel traditionally, it doesn’t appeal to the expectations the audiences had from the celebrated director and producer like of Varma’s stature.
Varma has maintained his signature style in cinematography of the film, but this alone does not establish Phoonk 2 as the scariest movie Bollywood has produced in recent times. Considering Vikram Bhatt’s recent horror release Shaapit, Varma’s Phoonk 2 is a travesty.
Director Milind Gadagkar’s screenplay often goes haywire with the story stretching itself without holding the audiences’ interest. While Varma and Gadagkar attempt to evoke fear through characters in the film, the plot plays the spoilsport.
The Kannada star Sudeep Chatterjee and actress Amruta Khanvilkar are the only characters who deserve some appreciation. Amruta is good at her histrionics, especially in the climax.
And why is violence in abundance not censored? Scenes where human flesh has been shown tearing into pieces are abominable. Go for it only if you are desperate.
Phoonk 2 is being screened at Kumari Cinema Hall.
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