KATHMANDU, Sept 10: After much publicity clamor about its horror elements, Raaz 3 finally hit the screens on Friday. The latest horror movie from the Bhatt camp, Raaz 3 is not for the squeamish, that much can be said. You aren’t scared to death but there are moments that send a cold shudder down your spine.
The combination of Hollywood-style creepy shots and Bollywood melodrama makes this third installment of the Raaz series a watchable horror flick. A vicious clown in bright orange wig and a half-baked hand reaching out from the television aren’t all that convincing. But the shock factor, brilliant cinematography and a well told tale manage to evoke a few gasps and make up brilliantly for Bhatt’s temporary lapse of judgment.
The storyline is fairly simple. Raaz 3 narrates the story of a top movie star Shanaya (Bipasha Basu) whose powerful presence in the film industry is overshadowed by a newcomer, Sanjana (Esha Gupta). Shanaya resorts to black magic to bring down Sanjana.
She takes help from a director, Aditya Arora (Emraan Hashmi), with whom she’s been having a torrid love affair for three years. But as fate would have it (or in this case, a clichéd Bollywood love story), Aditya falls in love with Sanjana and tries to protect her instead.
A fading actress’s quest for vengeance and a bloody supernatural battle between good and evil are what the film is all about. With a few sleazy sex scenes, skimpily clad women and startlingly long and passionate kisses thrown in for added effects, of course – it’s the trifecta the Bhatts are best at using to their advantage.
The story, as most Bollywood movies, is predictable but manages to keep the audience enraptured because of a strong and convincing plot.
Emraan Hashmi looks lost between pecks and performance, as usual, though his acting capabilities have notably gone up few notches. Ms. Gupta, on the other hand, is just learning to act and so the dialogue delivery at times is quite pathetic, to be honest.
Bipasha Basu portrays a sultry, scheming character with absolute finesse. Her oomph factor, husky voice and feline grace give the character a solid and captivating presence. Raaz was the turning point in Basu’s career and now with Raaz 3, she’s proven it once again that she’s not just a pretty face but a talented actor as well.
The supporting casts have done a commendable job. But it’s definitely Bipasha Basu, and in some places Emraan Hashmi (yes, he’s getting better!), that steal the limelight though Basu at times is slightly overpowering, bordering on annoying.
The music is not at par with the other two parts of the movie and comes in bits and pieces between scenes. They are hummable tunes, yes, but nothing that sticks to the mind long after you’ve left the theatre. In this sense, it’s quite a letdown.
The editing is crisp and makes up for the movie’s shortcomings by keeping the story cohesive and fresh. Post interval, the story does drag on a bit but that’s forgivable as sequences like Sanjana being attacked by a bevy of cockroaches and Aditya’s effort to rescue Sanjana’s spirits for a “ghost” resembling an exhumed corpse have you gripping the edge of your seat.
Raaz 3 is mildly engaging while it lasts despite having countless flaws. The amalgamation of spooky scenes and love sequences is worth a watch if you have a few hours to kill. But let your children stay at home and watch “Cartoon Network,” please!
CILLA KHATRY, republica
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