Bhoot Returns

Watched this as a horror fan, but really there's nothing special in this film. They have tried to combine the features of a documentary + TV serial + horror film+ camera recording like Paranormal activity.

A family of 4 moves in to a house whose previous tenants have simply gone missing, and then their sweet little daughter starts to see things and hear things no one else can, and then you know how it goes .

The good? Maybe a few thrills, the acting of the actors at times.

The bad? The film is nothing NEW and is just a mix of ideas from paranormal activity, Poltergeist and even from RGV's own films like Phoonk 2. Acting gets weak at times, effects aren't that good really. The film is quite predictable – white figures at night, sudden blasts of music, swing moving by itself, mirror images not moving after the person has moved from the mirror, doll….we've seen it all before.

Perhaps this film was made on a very low budget. I wouldn't recommend watching this. Bhoot was much better

After watching this one we'll wonder "Is it really a venture of Ram gopal?" Where is the horror? Why Manisha Acted in it? There is no such events that make you stand up from your seat or increase your heart beat.You will feel weird after watching this one and think if there is any horror flick ever created like this one? I think RGV direct this movie after got an hallucination by watching English horror flicks. The plot is very weak any way The movie is about a family who start living in a new house and the situation they has to face there.Bad script,worst direction,nothing positive in it.

My view: Don't waste your time.

Well i went to see this movie as a Horror one. But except last 15-20 min, its a comedy movie which does not make any good progress through out the whole movie.

When you go to watch a horror movie, you always get excited by the surprises. But in this movie you could pretend every next scene.

They copied some scene from Exorcist & some from Paranormal Activity but could not justified at all.

So don't buy tickets to watch this movie. Best option is to download or get a CD from any friend and finish in 30 to 40 min. max.

I hope RGV will not make the next part of this movie ....

What's the matter with Mr. Ram Gopal Varma? Surely a man who once directed cult films like Shiva (1989), Raat (1992), Satya (1998), Kaun? (1999), Bhoot (2003) & Phoonk (2008) can do better than this.

But since then his directing capability is seriously in doubt. I think he should refrain from directing any more films and stick to producing them instead.

Plot of film: it is about a spirit of a girl(or entity) that lives in a house and likes to possess the body of any child that it makes contact with.

We see Tarun, an architect, moving into a luxurious bungalow with his wife, Namrata, and their children, 10-year-old Taman and 6-year-old Nimmi. During an exploration of the house, Nimmi finds a doll, and includes someone named 'Shabbu' in all her activities. The family mistakes Nimmi's new doll to be Shabbu but are surprised when Nimmi points to an empty space and introduces her invisible friend as Shabbu. Her parents suspect her wild imagination as the reason for her new 'friend'.

Soon, Tarun's younger sister, Pooja, surprises the family with a visit. As Tarun, Namrata and Pooja discuss Nimmi's fixation over Shabbu, the family servant, Laxman, is sure of a spirit's presence in the house. Laxman's worries receive severe backlash from Tarun, an ardent rationalist. Soon, each night at the bungalow seems to turn for the worse, with knocks at unearthly hours, demonic sounds and eerie movements. Tarun suspects Laxman to be the mischief-maker, trying to prove his points. As Nimmi's fixation with Shabbu increases, the family decides to consult a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist explains Nimmi's imaginary friend as a result of her loneliness and terms it as a common technique used by children to grab attention.

Laxman's sudden disappearance and the increasing curiosity in Pooja to find answers for the ongoing activities make her install wireless cameras at various places in the house, which record Nimmi playing with what seems like a ghostly apparition. Tarun's mind starts reeling as he sees the captured footage; it is proof enough for the disturbed family to finally decide to leave the house. But the house has other plans: Nimmi is found missing the next morning. The police are called in to investigate but they consider the family delusional and do not take much interest in the matter.

Tarun receives a mysterious phone call, after which they find Laxman murdered. The house seems to be on lock-down and the phones jammed. Taman is mysteriously killed. Nimmi appears possessed by the spirit and tries to kill both her parents, until she's finally burned and defeated as the remaining family flee, bloody and injured. Nimmi then introduces herself as Shabbu to the neighborhood children.

Cast: We see J.D. Chakravarthy in an ineffectual role as well as Manisha Koirala. The acting is highly dubious. Manisha Koirala tries hard but the script and plot is so bad that even these established actors cannot make the film work. I was especially disappointed with the Satya star J.D. Chakravarthy. I wonder why Varma chose Manisha Koirala over Urmila Matondkar. Urmila is excellent in these roles. Also Manoj Bajpai would have been a better choice over J.D. Chakravarthy.

Script: bogus. The climax itself is laughable to seasoned horror veterans. If I was a director I wouldn't have directed a film with a pathetic script like this.

Effects: lack of decent special effects. You need a very scary atmosphere for a horror film to work. The camera-work is also dull and does nothing to improve the mood of the film.

Verdict: this film is an insult to the fans of Varma who have watched good films of his in the past. Don't waste time or money on this film.

Hindi Horror Cult Films: Sannata, Darwaza, Purani Haveli, Veerana, Tahkhana, Dak Bangla, Guest House, Purana Mandir, Bandh Darwaza, Saamri, Shaapit, 1920.

Most of these films can be viewed/downloaded for free on Youtube and hindilinks4u.net.

Bhoot Returns made by the versatile filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma sadly offers nothing new and paves the same nails of the director's earlier flicks like Phoonk and Raat. I wonder what made RGV think that he could replicate the success of the novel Bhoot.

Like Phoonk, the story of BR is about a small girl possessed by a restless evil soul whom she calls "Shabbu". Her parents (J.D. Chakravarthy and Manisha Koirala) realise what a grave mistake they made by moving into a new apartment, like in Bhoot. Add to that, the hero's sister (Madhu Shalini) decides to install cameras into the house to see if there's really a spirit present in the house (attention: Paranormal Activity). I wonder why RGV is obsessed with not giving his horror flicks a happy ending or leaving the plot incomplete like he did in Raat, Darna Mana Hai and Darna Zaroori Hai. Is another sequel to Bhoot Returns on the way? I hope not!

The way the story is fashioned, there's not much scope for histrionics. Manisha Koirala battles with giving her expressions of fear and confusion. She handles most of the part with ease but looks lost in others. J.D. Chakravarthy tries his best with expressions. Madhu Shalini tries to bring some novelty to the plot but again, her efforts are restricted by the plot. Alayna Sharma shows promise.

I like the way how RGV handles the scary scenes without sound effects. The silence helped to enhance the mood of the film in most portions but the chills and thrills in this film are limited.

Overall, Bhoot Returns disappoints. By the time, the film ends you'll have popped several anti-depressant pills and went straight ahead to bed!