Phobia

This is how I wanted room to be - based entirely within four walls, but that movie broke its rule and went 'Money Monster' way; moving out and then just staying in limbo.

Indian horror movies normally bring out unintentional laughs, but this was first Indian movie that got me scared. I am not talking of couple of jump scares, but genuine ones during key build ups and after and Ms. Apte sells them. She starts as a whiny and week woman but slowly succeeds in selling her fear and eventually caring about her. But more than that I was in love with its editing and bold choices it made of avoiding clichés. The story is tight, fast paced and believable; and without that irritation you get when you see plot holes in horror movies. The good thing about Phobia was it did not use props and relied on simple and obvious solutions like for example tying herself to move out of house. Here's hoping to see more of such cinema in near future and less of over hyped Conjuring 2.

That Phobia is not everyone's cup of tea is established in the opening frame itself with this intriguing quote of Franz Kafka: A cage went in search of a bird. What follows next is arguably one of the most significant prologues in Hindi Cinema; miss this and you won't get the essence of the film. Mehak Deo (Radhika Apte) is a painter and is narrating a creepily uncomfortable joke to her male friends at a party: An old man has been ogling at her because her face resembles his bitch that was killed in a car accident, eerily on the same day when Mehak was born. She then leaves the party in a taxi with her best friend, Shaan. On the way Shaan gets down and invites her to spend the night with him. She spurns the offer and continues in the taxi. The cabbie takes her to a secluded spot and rapes her.

After the opening credits, we see that Mehak has become a nervous wreck consequent to the rape and is being administered Virtual Reality therapy to cure her of Agoraphobia (fear of open spaces). When the therapy makes little progress, Shaan rents out an apartment and moves her there to recover. Rest of the film plays out in the claustrophobic confines of this apartment, whose former tenant, a stewardess named Jiah, has mysteriously vanished into thin air. Spooky things start happening. Mehak's traumatised mind plays tricks on her and the director plays tricks on our mind. There is a black cat and a black spider, both important symbols in case you want to psychoanalyse the film later.

Just when you feel that the director has pulled out all stops and you have sorted out all the conundrums, the film shifts to a different plane. Some extremely subtle hints are dropped, so fleeting that you will miss if you blink. Phobia is an extremely clever film; it is revived miraculously from the precipice of an almost hilarious ending. Director Pawan Kriplani goes for the jugular, just when your muscles were beginning to relax. Radhika Apte more than lives her part. Background score works non-intrusively on the subconscious.

The film ends with a red dot (Bindi?) being applied on Mehak's painting to indicate that it is sold. Phobia works at multiple levels. At the visceral level it is a solid thriller with a potential to wet your pants. But at the psychological level, it makes you think long after you have left the cinema hall.

This movie isn't everyone's cup of tea. It makes you question everything & everyone. Radhika Apte is brilliant. It's a good workout for your brain.

This movie was wonderful just because of Radhika Apte's great acting. I feel she is one of the most talented actress of Indian cinema till date. Great work Rahika Apte. Keep going!!!!!!

he first reaction one will have after watching this movie is that this is just not a simple thriller movie but also has a thought- provoking message and of course Radhika Apte's acting is amazing.

Starting from the trailer- The movie looks promising and you are reminded of Ram Gopal Verma's Kaun (starring Urmila Matondkar). Here I would like to clarify that Phobia's story or concept is completely different from Kaun, even the circumstances are totally different.

Movie- As almost all thriller movie this also starts with a tragedy but slowly builds up to be much more than a movie of a personal experience but one also thinks of how we(society) thinks/acts in many situations. As the movie progresses it transforms from a movie about a 'phobia' to the protagonist's character to a great and very fresh climax (Credits to the director)

I don't do movie reviews. No. Not that often for sure. But sometimes, you are left with no choice. Sometimes, the film as a whole has something so compelling about it, one can't not applaud the immense effort put into it, turned into sheer brilliance that's come out on screen. If I ever have to talk about a film which I can proudly say is a psychological thriller beyond ordinary, I will pick 'Phobia' If I ever have to talk about a film which is a visual treat and an audio one alike, I will pick 'Phobia'. If I ever have to talk about an artist who puts in her heart and soul into the role and still manages to make it all look effortless, i will pick Radhika Apte. If I ever have to talk about a film which I enjoyed to the core, I will pick 'Phobia'. With some real unnerving moments, splendid performances and brilliant holistic cinema, Phobia should not be missed. ‪#‎LoveForPhobia‬