Shaitaan, the Hindi film starring Ajay Devgn, R Madhavan, and Jyotika, promises a chilling supernatural thriller. While the premise grabs your attention, the overall execution leaves you wanting more.
Intriguing Setup, Uneven Delivery
The film opens strong. A seemingly perfect family’s weekend getaway takes a horrifying turn when a stranger (Madhavan) enters their home. He calls himself a “bhagwan” (god), but his actions are far from divine. He exerts a dark influence over their teenage daughter, Janvi (Janaki Bodiwala), through black magic. The first half builds suspense as the family grapples with this terrifying situation. We see a helpless father (Devgn) and a petrified mother (Jyotika) struggling to protect their children.
Performances Keep You Engaged
The performances are a saving grace. Madhavan is particularly captivating as the menacing Shaitaan. He sheds his good-guy persona to portray a chillingly casual villain. Devgn delivers a solid performance as the desperate father, and Jyotika effectively conveys the mother’s fear.
Where it Falls Short
Unfortunately, the film falters in the second half. The initial mystery around the Shaitaan’s motives unravels too quickly. The reliance on horror tropes and exaggerated rituals lessens the impact. The script, while intriguing at first, fails to deliver a satisfying explanation for the events or a strong resolution.
Shaitaan: A Mixed Bag
Shaitaan is a film with immense potential that doesn’t quite live up to its promise. The impressive performances and initial suspense are overshadowed by a weak script and predictable plot devices in the later half. If you’re looking for a genuinely scary movie, this might not be it. However, for fans of the actors or those curious about a supernatural thriller with Bollywood flair, it might be worth a watch with tempered expectations.
Review Score: 2.5 / 5
