1920

1920 review :

1920. A uncanny name for a horror film. But trust Vikram Bhatt to make a franchise even out of this one. The first instalment, starring Rajneesh Duggal and Adah Sharma, appeared the oft repeated 'Exorcist' remake until the climax. Rajneesh chanting the entire 'Hanuman Chalisa' in possessed Adah's ears evoked loud claps at the normally silent Cinemax Eternity multiplex, Thane where I saw the movie in its first weekend. The audience truly connected with the religious intervention showed in the end and 1920 turned out to be a surprise hit of 2008. Jai Hanuman!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

This film wasn't particularly scary. The plot was great.

In a country like India, where the genre of horror movies started from the likes of Madhumati and Mahal, to the Ramsay Brothers till the Bhatts, there has only been a downfall, with Bhoot, by Ram Gopal Verma being the only exception.

1920, is a movie which is brilliant, but somehow did not get its due applaud and recognition.

Right from the starting scene, where the actor is humming Hanuman Chalisa to the end moments of the movie, its completely gripping. There is no typical exaggeration, stupid make up, a predictable plot or wasteful songs.

The cinematography of the movie, the Victorian era feel, the cultural conflict, the steady romance, some pretty good acting and finally a well directed movie by Vikram Bhatt does the trick.

The best part which makes 1920, the Best Indian Horror Movie of the last 5 decades is the fact at it is not stereotypical. It has been very well edited. No special effects have been used just to "create" a horror feel, the plot and flow is such that you can actually feel the horror.

Despite of all those saddened and painstaking negative reviews the people have given, one cannot disagree to the fact that this is one of the best Indian horror genre scripts till date. A say this mainly because of a strong and impressive story-line that keeps you interested throughout the film. Camera work are screenplay are good with a grand background score.

I love this movie for its simplicity and realism; something which Indian cinema blatantly exaggerates. A friend had mentioned this movie was good when it had hit the theaters in 2008, and now in 2012 I'm sad that I missed it. Thank God I was able to get my hands on a DVD. While the movie is not so great on the chills and effects, whatever it does do - it does do brilliantly well. Even the songs in the movie were well handled. I rarely every review movies, but this time I was compelled to. The same way I was compelled to write my first review after watching 'The Stoneman Murders'. I can't think of any movies that this one has been ripped off from; something which has plagued Bollywood since its inception. I will treasure this movie, which has once again resurrected my hope that not everything that comes out of India is copied and over-the-top.

Just found out that there is a sequel too... well hey, everyone wants to make an easy buck and I know best to stay away from that one.