Kaun? (1999)

SPOILER ALERT.

This is one of those movies that make you question everything- in the first half hour, it makes you question the person who recommended it to you; in the next, it makes you question your ability to "read" people; and finally, it makes you question your own sanity. And of course, everything that just happened on screen. Because it can't be real, right? No one can be that psychot- never mind, I just remembered Urmila's expression in the last shot. Yes, it will haunt me forever, and no, I don't really mind.

The most exceptional part about the movie is how many questions it leaves unanswered, and how many details it fails to provide. It's these absences, these giant gaping holes in understanding that truly unnerve the viewer- was Urmila the serial killer who was being talked about on the TV earlier? Who was Mr. Malhotra? Why was Manoj Bajpayee such a massive creep in the beginning of the movie? Can we even take the first half of the movie as fact, after knowing what we know about Urmila? Or was RGV playing with us, presenting us with an unreliable narrator through whose point-of-view we experience things, who controls what we see and how we see it? Who killed the cat? And of course, the question that will give me goosebumps for a long time to come- WHO WAS URMILA? I wish I could articulate better what I feel about her, but all my incoherent thoughts can be summed up by a long, terrified scream. Such was her impact that even though I had suspicions about her, I was still super scared. And also super thankful that I abandoned my plan of watching this movie when I was living alone. Maybe I do know how to look out for myself after all, huh. Who woulda thunk.

Special mention to Sandeep Chowta, who did the background music and pretty much dictated what the viewer thought and felt. I will even go as far as to say that it also dictated what one SAW. And of course, coming to the man himself- RGV is problematic, creepy, an attention-seeking asshole of a man, but he is also a damn good filmmaker. At least in the previous century. According to some sources, he has not made a single good movie in this century with the exception of Rakta Charitra (2010), which is based on the life of Paritala Ravi, who allegedly tonsured Pawan Kalyan (yes, I just wanted to state that fact because I love it). Anyway, back to RGV- I can think of no other filmmaker from that time in Bollywood who would have made a movie with just three characters (I am trying and failing to come up with another Hindi film that does this or something similar). The way he utilises space, the way he uses it to deceive, or rather, to hide in plain view certain facts is nothing short of genius. Also the way he uses the trope of the angelic looking heroine (Urmila is even dressed like an angel, all in white) turning out to be the deranged killer is brilliant. Even though I suspected her of being shady ever since Manoj Bajpayee discovers the phone cord being cut, nothing in the world prepared me for what was to follow. I am running out of words, because yes, I am still in the process of getting fully spooked. Why must things hit me so late, but so very hard?

Lastly, Urmila- I can never emphasise enough how that final shot scared and scarred me. She was perfect throughout the movie. If her fear was palpable, her psychotic-ness was tangible. Not just one of her best performances (I have not even seen that many Urmila movies) but probably one of the best performances of Indian cinema in this thriller/horror genre. If the film is a cult classic today, at least 80% of the credit goes to her alone. I really want to watch more films of hers now, and I also want her to have an active career in the industry again. Repeat after me- it's the women who carry this industry on their shoulders and they deserve much more credit and appreciation than what they currently get.

In conclusion, even though I am super sleepy, I don't know how I'll sleep tonight. Just praying for my poor little soul. Maybe watching this movie on the same day I finished Gillian Flynn's Dark Places (2009) wasn't such a good idea after all. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shyam Singha Roy (2021)

There is honestly nothing more annoying than a movie that has flashes of being a good movie, but turns out to be a bad one anyway. Not only have you watched a bad film, but you have also been cheated of all hope and it's exhausting, to say the least.  Also, when this movie is a first day first show, you can't help but feel betrayed. Full "I trusted you!" moment only.  The first half was so tedious to sit through, I genuinely thought of leaving after the interval at one point. I didn't though, because Sai Pallavi only made her entry in the second half, and let's face it, she was the real reason for me to go watch it anyway. I mean, Nani was a huge pull factor too, but after Tuck Jagadish (2021) and V (2020), I was a little wary of trusting this man completely. As I should, because look what he made me sit through... again! (I swear to god, if the Nazriya film isn't good, I just might never watch a Nani movie ever again). Back to Pallu though- she is the onl
Read more

Aasai (1995)

My only regret is that I wish I knew absolutely nothing about this movie before watching it. I know I'm 26 years too late to the party, but honestly, not knowing the basic premise would have made things even more scary and messed up, not that there wasn't enough of those sentiments already. But to watch it unfold like the psychotic drama it was on the big screen, while innocently expecting another cute sweet love story featuring foetus Thala... I would give anything to have that experience. I know we love poking fun at Prakash Raj for being the evergreen villain, but it takes an Aasai for one to truly understand why he's earned that reputation. He really brings to life the evil but powerful psychopath who can manipulate people and situations to get what he wants, and I swear I was shaking a little when the movie ended because he is just that good at driving the point home. That's the thing about well-written thrillers- they work excellently as horror movies because you
Read more

Pokiri (2006)

Sairam, thank god I had forgotten the "twist", despite having seen Bhai's Wanted (2009) when it came out. Not only was I majorly zoned out (so much that I don't even remember for sure if I slept for sometime in the middle) but I have also actively tried to erase all memories of it. Which is why I was shocked enough to legit scream when the big twist came along.  From what I have heard about Pokiri , it sounds like some kind of cultural reset. And going by that, I must say that it totally lived up to that hype. Prince Mahesh seems to be at the peak of his career, and it's a performance that is memorable in more ways than one- he really shines through as the cool, stylish hero who outsmarts villains and beats them up. Of course, he needs a solid story and some killer dialogues as well, both of which are amply present here. I loved how understated his commitment dialogue was, especially in comparison to Bhai's exaggeration, the memory of which still gives me war
Read more