BHOOTHNATH Review

The months of April and May are the ones during which the year’s biggest flicks release and generate a huge profit at the BO. But not

this year! Couple of biggies released but none of them did a great business. Therefore, a lot of expectations were riding on Bhoothnath. The industry was hopeful that Bhoothnath will at last end the dry period at the box office. Well, this hope has big chances of getting satisfied because Bhoothnath is a wonderful entertainer which touches your heart. And the credit goes to the talented actors (Big B, child actor Aman and Juhi) and the equally talented writer-director (Vivek Sharma)!

The story

View next photo

of the movie: Aditya (Shahrukh Khan) and Anjali (Juhi Chawla) were married and had a son Banku (Aman Siddiqui). When they shift to Goa, they decide to live in a mansion named ‘Nath Villa’. Now it was believed that the spirit of the dead former occupant Kailash Nath (Amitabh Bachchan) lives in the house. But the couple rubbishes it off as a rumour and move in. The ghost is first encountered by Banku. But to the ghost’s surprise, Banku doesn’t get scared. This shocks Bhoothnath but later, they both turn into best buddies. To find out what happens next, watch Bhoothnath and get entertained!

Bhoothnath is well crafted and though it is promoted as a kids movie, it is not. It is a family entertainer and has something for each kind of an audience. The sweetest thing of the film is the way the director has shown the relationship of the ghost who was bent upon removing everyone from the house and the kid, who considers him an angel, not ghost!

Though the film deals with a ghost, it is not at all scary. Only the beginning 5 minutes are spine chilling (but wonderful!). After the credits end, the film turns into altogether different kind of a flick. There are lots of scenes in the first half which were remarkable and funny. The ghost’s entry was however the best of all! However, the hospital scene just before the intermission was also one of the best.

The second half dragged a bit and it seemed the director didn’t know what to ‘fill’ in between. But though, the film doesn’t turn boring. And the film goes to a different level with Amitabh’s flashback sequence. It was excellent and the way the flashback ends was shocking! Also the climax was powerful. However, the last scene was like the one in Paheli. (In Paheli, SRK was the ghost while BigB was not; here it is vice versa!!).

However, some of the viewers (esp the kids) who’ll go for Bhoothnath expecting a complete fun-filled flick will be disappointed as the film doesn’t have many funny moments in the 2nd half. But though, the film satisfies and will surely be loved by the people!

Amitabh Bachchan was as usual the best! No other actor would have done justice like the way AB did! And it’s really great to see Amitabh giving such brilliant topnotch performance in his each movie. Each year, he gives at least one performance which can be termed as ‘outstanding’. Last year, he gave two outstanding performances in Cheeni Kum and Eklavya; in 2006, it was in Family and KANK and so on. This year, it is Bhoothnath and I hope he gives such equally brilliant performances in his forthcoming movies-Sarkar Raj, The Last Lear, God Tussi Great Ho, Shoebite and Aladdin too!

Aman Siddiqui also does an equally brilliant job. In fact if the child actor would have failed to provide a decent performance, the film would have failed too because his was a leading role. But he does a fabulous job. Everyone including kids will surely love his performance!

Juhi Chawla also does an amazing job. She went completely into the skin of the character and looked charming and cute, just like Banku! Her performance surely deserves a nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category!

Shahrukh Khan is hardly there in the first half but gets enough scope in the second half. And as usual, he rocks! Nice of SRK to sign this flick! Priyanshu (as Kailash Nath’s son) who had given fabulous performances in movies like Dil Ka Rishta, Madhoshi, Tum Bin and Pinjar does a great job in Bhoothnath too.

Rajpal Yadav (as Anthony) was as usual funny! His scenes with Juhi Chawla in the first half were extremely hilarious. However, I was disappointed as he was hardly there in the 2nd half. It also reminded me of his performance in Partner which was also damn funny and like Bhoothnath, he didn’t have much role in 2nd half. Satish Shah (as Principal Irani) was also funny and reminds you of his role in Main Hoon Na. But the best thing about him was the nature of his role-he had a fetish for the student’s lunch boxes and the lunch inside! Never ever had I seen such a principal in any movie!!!

Ashish Chaudhary and Nauheed Cyrusi were there only for a scene. Both were good.

Vishal-Shekhar’s music was okay and not as exciting like their previous flicks. This is the first time that the music director duo disappoints a bit. I strongly feel that they shouldn’t have agreed for this film as it was not ‘their type’.

As for the songs, the best was ‘Chalo Jaane Do’. The lyrics penned by Javed Akhtar were very touching. ‘Hum To Hai Aandhi’ was unnecessarily added but the picturisation was quite unique. The ‘Bhoothnath Theme’ (by Salim-Sulaimaan) was quite haunting!

Dialogues were perfect! Ditto for cinematography and art direction.

Vivek Sharma the debutant director does a fantastic job and in future, shall rank as one of the best directors! He brilliantly handled the film and does full justice to the movie.

Some of the best scenes of the movie:
1.    The first scene
2.    The taxi scene
3.    Banku’s first day at school!
4.    The scenes of Rajpal Yadav with Juhi (very funny!)
5.    The first 2 encounters of Banku with Bhoothnath
6.    The songs ‘Chalo Jaane Do’ and ‘Banku Bhaiyya’
7.    The hospital scene and the intermission point
8.    The scene where Bhoothnath visits Banku’s school
9.    Bhoothnath’s flashback
10. SRK meeting Priyanshu
11. The climax

On the whole, Bhoothnath is a well-made movie which shall appeal to all kinds of audiences. It may disappoint some as the movie is not completely funny. But though, the film shall surely click with the audiences and will work at the BO. Go for it!

(PLZZ RATE MY REVIEW AND ADD A COMMENT)