Ek Thi Daayan Review

One Line Review: The Arrival of a true blood curdling creepy tale after long years

Positive Points: Gripping Direction, strong screenplay, logical script, accurate costumes, art direction, amazing camera work, background score, fabulous performances by Konkona Sen Sharma, Emraan Hashmi and Vishesh Tiwari, perfect casting, social message

Negative Points: Weaker Climax , less thrilling content in second half

Plot: 'Ek Thi Daayan' narrates the story of a famous magician and illusionalist Bobo aka Bejoy (Emraan Hashmi) who is enjoying being at the zenith of his life. He is all set to marry his lady love Tamara (Huma Qureshi) and adopt a boy named Zubin. But Bobo constantly gets hallucinations and is haunted from his past. He seeks help from a psychiatrist who brings back his childhood memories with hypnotism. Bobo remembers his childhood where he sees his family consist of his father and younger sister. Young Bobo (Vishesh Tiwari) is very fascinated about the black magic and witchcraft. He loves to read more and more about it and is irresistibly drawn to magic. His younger sister follows the same and the duo try one trick which is mentioned in one book of witchcraft. Suddenly a new lady arrives in their neighborhood named Diana (Konkona Sen Sharma). Bobo's widowed father (Pawan Malhotra) falls for her and Diana comes to their home as a new bride and Bobo's step-mother. Her devilish smile and 'choti' makes Bobo believe that something is fishy and suspicious about her. Bobo believes that she is a 'Daayan'.

Is Bobo's doubting correct about his stepmother or its his wild imagination?

What is the reason behind Diana's disappearance at night?

Who is Diana in reality and what is the reason behind her arrival in Bobo's life?

For all these answers , don't forget to watch the film.

Direction And Other Technical Aspects: Director Kannan Iyer undoubtedly gives a spine chilling , storming and absolute thrilling experience with his creepy tale of the paranormal activity. The first half of the movie is almost flawless but the climax could have been stronger and better. The director has definitely become successful in providing the edge of the seat horror experience almost effortlessly. Kannan Iyer has given attention to all the details like costumes, hair, makeup, locations, light etc. which makes the movie concrete. The presentation is so natural and that's the reason why the movie successes to give you the spine chills. The script and screenplay by Mukul Sharma and Vishal Bhardwaj is just perfect. Looks like he has done lots of research on the subject before writing the script. The film does not seem illogical anywhere and relates to the 21st century technology savvy world. The accolades must go to the camera work by Saurabh Goswami, as he captures the ghostly air and bring out the intriguing evil with perfection. The plot is rock solid and there are some moments when you actually start believing that you are not sitting in the theatre but experiencing the things in reality. Costume design by Darshan Jalan adds natural feeling to the movie .The art direction and the natural make up by Ayusha DeVitre adds the horror flavor. Kannan Iyer with his gripping direction and whole team brings out the magnum opus in the genre of horror films.

Performances: Konkona Sen Sharma is just epic. She has given the versatile performances before. But in this movie, she shows totally different and unexplored side of her acting skills. She performs naturally and fabulously. Without an effort and make up she scares you. It is a treat to watch her as a Daayan. Emraan Hashmi managed to bring out his best in the movie. He scored faultlessly with an ease in this movie. It seems that his acting capabilities are not used adequately by his previous directors. Huma Qureshi and Kalki Koechlin are pleasant and remarkable. Both offer the confident screen presence especially Huma Qureshi who delivers her best part. And kudos to the child actor Vishesh who played young Bobo and the young girl who played Bobo's sister. Vishesh Tiwari delivers a gripping performance. The young lad will definitely rock the silver screen in the future.

Music: Music by Vishal Bhardwaj and lyrics by Gulzar is good as always. The song placement is accurate as well. The special mention must go to the background score by Clinton Cerejo which adds horror effect.

Final Verdict: After a series of so called horror films which had illogical and unrealistic things, 'Ek Thi Daayan' is a truly scary film. It is for the first time in Bollywood that the witchcraft is portrayed so sensibly. A must watch with friends, which gives you a true blood curdling creepy experience.