Shaitaan Review: Walks a fine line between simple and epic, but stumbles in the finale
The official remake of the Gujarati movie “Vash,” titled “Shaitaan,” has garnered attention for its mix of simplicity and intensity, with the film holding its ground until the final act.
Shaitaan might be one of the quickest remakes to have arrived in just over a year of the original’s release. While it starts off as a compelling narrative, the movie’s descent into an attempt at being epic ultimately mars its impact.
Being set with just five primary characters, director Vikas Bahl does the core job well – which is to keep you hooked and intrigued.
The plot revolves around a raucous hostage drama featuring Ajay Devgn as Kabir Rishi, a father confronted with the challenge of saving his daughter from a diabolical intruder, played by R Madhavan. Jyotika, playing the mother’s role makes her Hindi film return after almost 25 years. The film, however, leans heavily on Ajay Devgn’s established character mould, portraying him as an unwavering hero fighting for family and honour.
“Shaitaan” raises eyebrows due to its reliance on brutality, torture, and the vulnerability of young women, echoing themes seen in many of Ajay Devgn’s previous films. The antagonist’s menacing plot involves hypnotizing and abducting teenage girls for a sacrificial ritual, injecting a dose of supernatural horror into the narrative.
While the movie begins with simple and raw scares, the finale takes an unexpected turn into the realm of the epic. Unfortunately, this shift does not resonate well with the audience, as the climax becomes predictable, and the sacrificial sequence feels excessively drawn out. R Madhavan’s portrayal of the sinister intruder, coupled with tantrik makeup, contributes to the film’s descent into clichéd horror tropes.
Moreover, the film faces criticism for elements that come across as off-putting and dated, including the gaze on young women, particularly Janhvi. The portrayal of transphobia in certain scenes further adds to the discomfort.
Despite the film’s shortcomings, performances by Jyotika as Janhvi’s mother, and Ajay Devgn’s portrayal of the determined father receive a positive acknowledgement. R Madhavan, despite occasional hamming, manages to extract humour and cold comfort in the midst of a grim plot.
In summary, “Shaitaan” shines when it adheres to simplicity and raw scares, but its aspirations to be epic in the finale prove to be its undoing. The reliance on outdated themes and the film’s struggle to maintain a consistent tone detracts from its potential impact, leaving audiences with mixed feelings about this horror-thriller.
