12 'O' Clock review :
In the 90s and early 2000s, Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) redefined horror genre in Bollywood with Raat (1992), Bhoot (2003) and Darna Mana Hai (2003). His latest horror offering titled 12 'O' Clock appears like a pale shadow of these super fine films, particularly Raat and Bhoot.
A college kiddo (Krishna Gautam) from a lower middle class family gets possessed by a ghost of a psycho killer who goes on a killing rampage. The hapless father (Makarand Deshpande) seeks help from one and all - doctor (Ali Asgar), tantrik (Ashish Vidyarthi), police (Manav Kaul) and even a top psychiatrist (Mithun Chakraborty) - but all efforts go in vain.
Admittedly, the film has its moments and some scenes like the girl sleep walking around the house and later, the chilling interaction with her parents has the vintage RGV touch. But some clumsy writing and a highly unsatisfactory climax kills the film completely. The solution given to cure the possessed girl is in very bad taste and will send a wrong message to the society, particularly the superstitious folks. Wonder how a noted director like RGV could even think of ending his film with such tripe!!
Of the cast, Krishna Gautam reminds us of the wonderful Revathi from Raat. Here is an actor to watch out for. Mithun Chakraborty has a small role but leaves a mighty impression. Makarand Deshpande aka Mak is convincing as the hapless paapa. Ashish Vidyarthi overacts in the two scenes he gets. Manav Kaul is earnest as the inspector. And yea, why is the oh so lovely Flora Saini wasted in such an inconsequential role. RGV hasnt utilised her at all. Or has he already planned a sequel which will be entirely based on her character. Well, time will tell!!
Regards,
Sumeet Nadkarni.
