Shaitaan Movie Review: Greater Fluff than Fear in this Underwhelming Film

Shaitaan Story: When an unsuspecting family welcomes a stranger into their farmhouse, they unwittingly fall prey to his mysterious influence, particularly over their teenage daughter. She becomes a pawn in his dangerous and inexplicable schemes, obeying his every command, no matter how bizarre or life-threatening. As the family grapples with the stranger's malevolent hold, they must uncover the dark secret behind his power and find a way to break free from his twisted game before it's too late.

Shaitaan Review: Jyothika shines amidst the chaos, while the male characters fail to make an impact.

In a clichéd battle between good and evil, "Shaitaan" revolves around a seemingly happy family of four facing off against a sinister modern-day sorcerer who manipulates a young girl to carry out his evil deeds. The film attempts to instill fear, but ironically, it's more of a letdown than a spine-chiller.

"Shaitaan," a remake of a recent Gujarati film, caters to Ajay Devgn's fan base, portraying him as the tough hero who tackles any challenge, whether as an invisible police officer or a protective father.

Despite aiming for high fear levels, Vikas Bahl's execution falls short. The scenes intended to terrify are predictable and lackluster, failing to deliver the intended impact.

Following the disappointing reception of "Ganapath," Bahl ventures into uncharted territory with a fusion of supernatural horror and psychological twists in "Shaitaan." While some aspects of the film succeed, particularly the committed performances of the lead actors, including Devgn who also serves as a producer, the screenplay often veers into excessive territory. No character or element is left untouched by the film's ambitious but sometimes overwhelming narrative.

The peculiar events unfold with unabashed exaggeration, leaving no space for subtlety amidst the film's gaping flaws.

Director Bahl benefits from working with a proven script, "Vash," a 2023 film by Krishnadev Yagnik, as it sets the stage for the confrontation between a family on a weekend retreat at a hillside farmhouse and an enigmatic intruder whose malevolent intentions disrupt their tranquility.

Kabir and Jyoti, portrayed by Devgn and Jyothika, find themselves at a loss when their daughter Jahnvi (played by Hindi cinema newcomer Janki Bodiwala) falls under the spell of a seemingly harmless yet mysterious stranger. Initially allowed into their home to charge his mobile phone, he refuses to depart, seizing control over Jahnvi with his mesmerizing hypnotic abilities.

For the lead actor, Shaitaan delves into familiar narrative territory. In the Drishyam series, adaptations of Malayalam thrillers featuring Mohanlal, he portrays a father determined to safeguard his family at any cost.

Here, he embodies another paternal figure confronted with the urgent need to shield his daughter from imminent peril. There's a recurring motif in such films where daughters of these "my-daddy-strongest" protagonists become vulnerable targets for lurking predators disguised as allies.

Produced by Jio Studios, Ajay Devgn Films, and Panorama Studios (also associated with the Hindi versions of Drishyam and its sequel), Shaitaan initially builds tension and suspense after R. Madhavan's character, the unyielding guest, reveals his sinister intentions and begins wreaking havoc on the family through Janhvi. Madhavan's portrayal veers into hammy territory, but given the character's despicable nature, it's somewhat forgivable.

However, once the plot unfolds completely, the film descends into a frantic yet lackluster sequence that struggles to evoke genuine fear, only occasionally succeeding. Despite its shortcomings, Shaitaan might still resonate with audiences drawn to twilight zone thrillers, provided they aren't overly critical.

For discerning viewers, enduring the 132-minute runtime of Shaitaan might prove challenging. While the antagonist's actions are comprehensible, his motivations remain murky. The film's tone fluctuates erratically, but the performances consistently hover around mediocrity.

Jyothika stands out amidst the absurdity, managing to infuse some semblance of credibility into her role. However, the male characters, including the protagonist and antagonist, are ensnared in a narrative devoid of redeeming qualities.

Ultimately, Shaitaan's climax disappoints, failing to redeem the film from its preceding missteps. If you're willing to overlook the lack of imagination in the script for the sake of your favorite actors, Shaitaan might offer some entertainment value. Otherwise, it's best to steer clear.