Hansna Mana Hai... Review on Darna Mana Hai

Over hype leads to over expectations and high expectations lead to disappointments. That is exactly what I felt while and after watching Darna Mana Hai.

The initial hype kinda died down after the first weekend itself. Obviously because the film hasn’t lived up to its media hype and the television promotions.

Six stories with one ending and seven friends telling each other one horror story after another forms the basic plot of the film.

To begin with none of the stories are scary enough. The first one being a little scary to begin with. Especially Antra’s expression and her transformation from being a non-believer in ghosts to someone who doesn’t know what to make of what just happened around her is a little spooky.

But after that the basic definition of horror has just been given a harsh twist. One is to be scared of apples that can be bought cheap because you know what “apples can eat you!!”

And a headmaster’s guilt can drive him nuts …. Well, not everyone has had a childhood where you are a dumb student – do a criminal act at the age of seven – and grow up to be a school teacher… dah….

A psychopath refuses to let you leave his motel till you quit smoking. And you in turn in a span of six months turn to be the motel owner’s alibi.

The Vivek-Nana episode ends with a twist that is a typical horror story tale. And with performances from actors like Nana and Vivek just add more intrigue to it all.

And the last but certainly not the least story is the one with Aftab in it. And although a little too repetitive it is hillarious. And hardly scary.

I guess the film is saved because of the performances. Every single actor (most of whom have worked with Mr Ramgopal Varma earlier) does his best to put his best foot forward.

Even relative newcomers like Sameera Reddy and VJ Gaurav put up a decent show. Except for the rest of the gang of friends who are plain and in case you found Suman irritating – well cut him some slack – he is related to the producer Mr Ramgopal Varma. Now you know why he is the second last one to survive.

And not to mention the cameo role performed by Sushant Singh. Who made the climax and the entire film a little bit more interesting. And will someone tell me why was Gaurav’s ghost missing from the last frame????

The background score is just about okay not as exceptional as it was in Bhoot – considering the music directors are the same duo – Salim and Sulaiman. Although the remix version of the title song which plays during the credits is awesome. And so are the beginning credits for that matter.

The cinematography deserves full marks. And while people are appreciating the film because at least it is a different attempt from the regular commercial Hindi format – the effort could have been a little better.

Well, should you watch it.... why not ...