Shaitan movie review | Moviefair.com

The film is a remake of the Gujarati horror film Vash (2023). Janki Bodhiwala reprises her original role here. Kabir (Ajay Devgn) and Jyoti (Jyothika) go to a secluded farmhouse to spend some quality time with their teenage daughter Jahnvi (Janki Bodhiwala) and her son Dhruv (Angad Raj). Head there by car. Their peace is shattered by the appearance of a stranger. Vanraj Kashyap (R Madhavan) enters their world. He somehow completely controls Jyoti’s will and makes her a slave of sorts. She hurts herself, almost kills her younger brother, slaps her father, and quarrels with her mother. All this is revealed in intuitive detail. The viewer is spared nothing. Kabir and Jyoti try to make Janvi listen to them but in vain. The situation continues to escalate. Vanraj wants to take Janhvi away, but will do so only with explicit permission. It turns out that he is an evil tantrik who is trying to conquer the world. And to do that, you have to sacrifice a lot of girls. He succeeds in luring Janvi out and it is up to Kabir to save her and her other girls from being killed.

The film begins with a disclaimer that the film does not promote superstitions, and continues to promote superstitions over the next two hours. Vanraj identifies himself with God, claims to be able to control anyone he sees fit, and indulges in mundane mumbo jumbo that even street magicians avoid. The climactic scene of mass hypnosis involves young girls attempting to throw themselves into a fire. There’s no backstory as to why he became an instrument of evil. He is made to spew nonsense about controlling the lives of people all over the world, and we are made to believe it.

Ajay Devgn, who played a laid-back man who uses his wits to save his family in the Drishyam series, seems to have returned to the Drishyam mold for this film. He is perfectly cast as a very caring father who keeps a close eye on his children but at the same time gives them plenty of freedom. The film perfectly brings out the powerlessness and dedication of his loving father, who does his best to save the collapsing world, and the action scenes are also great. Jyothika, who has made it to Hindi cinema after a long time, is cast as a caring mother who fights like a wounded lioness to save her daughter. Her reaction seems completely genuine. She uses body language and her expressive eyes to convey her different emotions. She shares a good relationship with Ajay Devgn. It’s good to see middle-aged stars co-star and act their age. It’s certainly a step in the right direction. Madhavan and Jyothika have previously starred in romantic comedies like Dum Dum Dum (2001) and Priyamaana Toj (2003), and Shaitaan marks a reunion of sorts. But he plays the villain here, not her lover. Maddy is seen getting the best role and spending so much time essaying it. Especially the first half is really mean and scary. Janki Bodhiwala makes her impressive Hindi debut in the role of a possessed daughter. She makes her viewers root for her and empathize with her plight.

All in all, apart from the tantric angle, Shaitan is a good psychological thriller with great performances in all aspects. The movie takes a nosedive at the ending, but it could have been executed better.