Raaz 3: The Third Dimension

Vishesh Films have recently found a new formula of success apart from their earlier fixed patterns of film-making, which is en-cashing the brand name of their previous hits through their so called sequels. The audiences easily relate to the 'Title' with their fond memories of the original and then opt for its sequel, expecting a similar kind of output from the same. And the Bhatts have easily managed to make some money from their last such ventures, even though they were all pretty weak films as per their subject and execution. But here in RAAZ 3 they surprisingly come up with at least something to watch, despite of having its usual flaws and drawbacks.

Beginning with its weaker points, the film strictly follows the decades old rule of Hindi Cinema wherein Horror Films must have some unwanted sex and songs too to provide the required relief to the viewers. So, RAAZ 3 also has many similar sequences wherein the camera starts from the legs itself, the heroine seduces the hero to commit a serious crime and the couple suddenly decides to lock their lips just after a terrifying moment, making you laugh instead of getting frightened. But what pinches you even more than these forced sex scenes are the songs which hinder the pace of the film hugely and don't really have some listening value too, which is usually not a feature of Vishesh Films. Background score also remains screechy and loud which fails to create any kind of terror needed before all those horrifying moments on the screen. In fact, while watching it I fondly remembered the subtle and intelligent use of minimum background score by the South Asian film- makers in their brilliant Horror films such as RINGU,SHUTTER, JU-ON and many more.

In short if you edit out that one funny kissing scene and all the songs from the film, replacing its routine background score with an experimental one, then RAAZ 3 does become a watchable movie (better than many recent trashy projects) having few positive points as mentioned below.

As its very first plus point, though not anything fresh but thankfully it does have a believable storyline written around the subject of love, jealousy and competition involved in the film business itself. One may call it completely imaginary and superstitious but there have been real life unconfirmed stories of allegations made by actors on each other of using Black Magic in the past. And that only becomes the basic premise of the storyline in RAAZ 3 which was also earlier used in HO SAKTA HAI (2004) and PHOONK (2008).

Secondly, the film cannot be called only a Horror movie as it does have some human relationship angles incorporated in its script which actually help in converting it into a one- time watch. So its not the same old, ugly looking Ghost following the whole cast and killing them one by one to take his revenge. R3 has got the elements of sibling jealousy, love and hatred along with an undercurrent of GUILT running throughout the film, felt by its lead hero Emraan Hashmi. Though I wished that this guilt factor could have been used more brightly in its second half but still the director doesn't waste it completely.

Thirdly RAAZ 3 also has few appreciable scenes like the one where Bipasha meets the Black Magic man for the first time, the climax confronting the Ghost and the Cockroach attack sequence post intermission which can easily be rated as one of the boldest suggestive scenes filmed on a lead actress in the recent times.

Regarding the performances, honestly there is nothing exceptional but still Bipashaemotes well caught in the rage of jealousy against her rival actress. However I really didn't find her enjoying her dances at all. Esha does much better than her previous films in the role of the victimized lady and Emraan Hashmi surprisingly plays it real cool in a controlled manner which works at times. Manish Chaudhari as the Evil Spirit doesn't get much scope but he still excels in his few scenes. The film's cinematography together with a fine art direction (Indoor Sets) manages to take you in and out of world of spirits successfully. Hence they all work together to a certain extent, majorly because the director remains focused on his story- telling too along with the Horror genre of his film.

Moreover, unlike Vikram's last venture (DANGEROUS ISHQ), he doesn't rely excessively on either the 3D factor or the Special Effects used, which eventually brings in a certain kind of balance in the film resulting in a better product. That is if you watch it in 3D then you are sure going to get many things coming on to you as expected. But if you prefer watching it in 2D then also the film remains the same as it is not hugely dependent upon the technology to generate any bigger impact.

In all, RAAZ 3 may not be anything great or path-breaking but it still has its moments which might work more in the smaller centers where the sex-horror genre has certainly got a mass appeal.

7/10 I liked the movie, The story is somewhat like an actress who is losing her fame now wants to take revenge with a new shining actress using black magic. Bipasha was brilliant, Emraan was good too but over shadowed by Bipss and Esha Gupta was OK OK. Story was good, Though the amount of horror scenes were a little less than i expected, but still those scenes that the movie has were really good.... Especially the scene where esha is surrounded by cockroaches, and a scene where her maid kills her self, these all scenes are really good... Vikram Bhatt has mastered this genre... The movie is worth a watch and better for 3D.

With Raaz 3, the Bhatt camp continues to explore the viewer's fascination with the afterlife and the occult, liberally borrowing plot elements from a host of Hollywood movies that have acquired a cult following. These would at least include "The Exorcist" (priest exorcism), "House of Wax" (abandoned studio), "Resident Evil" (close-ups of freaky monster), "Nightmare on Elm Street" (the girl can't sleep), "Drive-thru" and "We all scream for ice-cream" (for the scary clown).

Apparently, the Bhatt camp took the misquoted sentence "Copying from one source is plagiarism, copying from multiple sources is Research" in a plain wrong way. In the words of Emraan Hashmi from this very movie, do they think the audience is dumb enough not to care about this kind of "chutia-paa"? Come on, Mr. Bhatt, give us something original, just sprinkling some Indian flavour where Ganeshji loans a trident to the hero so he can fight Evil in the end doesn't quite absolve you of plagiarism.

The worst part is the didactic manner in which the Bhatts explain stuff about the afterlife; almost, as if Class 6 students are being introduced to a History subject. "This is called Black Magic", "This potion of water is laced with black magic", "Now you go to the world of souls where you fight the baddies", "If God doesn't answer your prayer, come to the Devil. He might help you." Every time one of these dialogues flashed on screen, I couldn't help but yawn.

The only redeeming feature about this movie is Bipasha Basu. I think she showed some strong conviction in her acting - Esha and Emraan looked jaded and Esha's histrionics were a bit over-the-top. Manish Chaudhary, I generally consider him a good actor but this time, he somewhat failed to convince in the role of Satan.

It definitely has to start with Bipasha Basu,the SHOW STEALER of the movie. Bipasha Basu is both hero and a villain in the movie.She left no stones unturned if you look into her acting talents. With portraying the struggle of an actor's life to attain fame and success,Bipasha is in her best shoes this time. She caught the character in a very apt and accurate manner.

With script being weightless and the horror scenes looking funny or to laugh at,the movie on a whole is not one to be scared of. Sanjana(Esha Gupta) is very average.Though looking beautiful in most of the scenes she has to work really hard on her acting and dancing skills. Emraan this time got to be in good terms with both the actresses(kissing scenes!!)definitely,he has done justice to his role but again Bips has overshadowed him in almost every term due her profound expression, psyche behavior and arrogance . Well plotted, really! The movie is an amalgam of vendetta, jealousy, conflict, drama and sexuality.With showcasing the staunch Indian beliefs about black magic and all again our young generation need logic behind everything which this movie lacks a lot.The so-called famous cockroach scene enacted by Esha did not have a goosebumps effect either.So watch it for fun,not to be scared.~ Sheetal Sharma for ratemovieshere.com

For Emraan lovers, there's plenty of what he does the best, this time he does it with two opposite actors in one single movie. However these acts are the only isolated events where Emraan maintains his sheen. Rest of the movie, he doesn't seem to put an effort to do more than being bossed around by two strong characters. Bipasha carries on with her typically conventional approach of acting, with plenty of leg room in her dresses wherever possible. Esha, being a new comer, has a few places where she seems to have been allowed to be herself and those are the only moments where she delivers. She has put extra conscious effort on shouting and cribbing scenes. Sorry but this is sales biz lady! if it doesn't show, its not called effort!

The viewer is assured that this is a horror movie by way of iconic sadistic horror vocals in feminine voice and in dark scenes it is the morphed sound of toads. And there are some scenes where you confuse Atma (Spirits) with Aliens, particularly where the Pret Atma (unholy spirit) enters the hospital room door in the form of a thick centipede and suddenly starts piling up upon itself into a human form. Another instance where the Atma sends virus into Sanjana's body through a centipede which crawls into her ear. Din't spirits use to enter human body just like that? since when did they start using transport? Thats unconventional horror!

The sets are sprawling rich. Music is bearable and slightly hummable too. While entering the hall, take tub full of pop-corns for munching in free time and do order a mid-movie snack.