Bhoot [VHS] [2003]

Rarely does a movie explain itself so entirely in the first few seconds. But Bhoot does exactly that. The starting credits roll to jarringly loud sounds, forewarning that the movie is going to use sound as its primary weapon. A short message advises persons with heart ailments and pregnant women not to watch this movie, and also that incidents in this movie do not conform to the beliefs of the director. The first part is really good advice, and should not be laughed off. That is, unless you want to die in a theatre or have stillborn babies. And the remaining part concedes that the plot is quite unambitious and ordinary. That said, Bhoot is the slickest, spookiest and hence most enjoyable horror movie to be released in quite some time.
The story is about a haunted apartment in a flat, to which a newlywed couple move in. Firstly, the movie it has excellent casting. All the characters are reasonably well fleshed out (except for the weird housemaid) and played by proven actors. I know this is something that is noted only by hotshot critics to estalish their credentials but it really makes a difference to the movie. Especially interesting are the police inspector and the psychatrist. The shots in the apartment are positioned to include a lots of nooks; out of which the haunts could jump out. The movie seems slightly inspired by Sixth Sense, The Ring and later by The Exorcist, but only in devices and not story. The first half is really creepy and gives you shocks aplenty (somewhat like the first few minutes of The Ring). The second half has an awesome posession scene which is more menacing that of The Excorcist even without using the slightest bit of gore. In a truly chilling scene the possessed writhing heroine echoes the words psychatrist's ailing daughter said to him. Only minutes later the pschatrist learns of his daughter's death due to blood cancer. However, it falters a bit during the second half because of the ordinary plot. Thankfully, an ordinary plot also means no irritating holes in the plot(something that totally spoiled The Ring). As for other nitpicks, there is a theatre scene which shows all the people in the theatre as zombies, which could have been avoided.
My respect for director Ramgopal Varma has increased manifold with this movie as he dared to make a songless horror movie with mainstream stars, in an industry that thrives on generic ten song'd ten fight'd 'family masala' movies.
Despite its innocuous setting the movie could creep out the entire hooting and jeering audience (comprised mainly of me and my mates) to an uneasy silence. What more could you ask from a movie of this make?

Though I watched "Bhoot" some time ago, this is one Bollywood horror movie that has remained embedded in my consciousness compared to all the other trite offerings that purport to be Bollywood horror. What elevates this above average horror is the credible acting and pairing of leads Ajay Devgan and Urmila Matondkar who portray a married couple living in a haunted apartment, as well as credible performances by actors in supporting roles such as Rekha, Nana Patekar, Tanuja, Fardeen Khan, and Victor Banerjee. It also helps that the director, Ramgopal Varma, utilizes sound effects and lighting to create truly chilling scenes.

This is an atmospheric horror movie which though not wholly original - any fan of horror movies will find shades of "Ju-On", "The Exorcist" etc. in this story, does effectively deliver some authentic scares. The story revolves around married couple, Vishal (Ajay Devgan) and Swati (Urmila Matondkar) who are apartment hunting. Vishal is captivated by an apartment on the 12th floor of a building despite its ominous past - a young woman had apparently jumped to her death from the balcony. Being non-superstitious, Vishal leases the apartment without bothering to inform Swati.

Whilst Vishal goes off to work each day, Swati spends long hours in the apartment and before long, senses there is some creepy and supernatural presence in their home, one which she feels has malicious intent. Vishal dismisses his wife's concerns, attributing her "delusions" to a psychological problem and it is only much later, when his wife's very life and soul are at stake that Vishal struggles desperately against time to uncover the horrifying truth behind the manifestation.

The tightly-woven story and credible acting and good use of effects make this a creepy movie that has some genuinely scary moments. The fact that the movie has no songs in it, unlike many Bollywood movies is a plus point as it allows the story to flow without any jarring interruptions. All in all, this is well worth watching for fans of Asian & foreign horror movies.

Fast shipping. I couldn't find this anywhere in indian shops, can't wait to see!! I just wish I understood the language so I wouldn't have to read subtitles...