User reviews

Ram Gopal Varma is according to me one of the finest filmmakers India has seen. The artistic excellence of his works, the originality of his scripts, and the general unique finesse of his style are extraordinary. "Kaun?" is one of his better works. It is a very unconventional Hindi film for its time (or even today). It is a small, relatively short thriller, and as a thriller, it is simply superb.

It is atypical in that it is only one hour-and-a-half long, it has no songs, there are only three characters, and the entire story takes place in one house during one rainy night. This may resemble in many ways Yash Chopra's classic Ittefaq, and Varma might have taken some inspiration from Chopra's classic, but mind you, just inspiration; "Kaun?" is very much a film of its own.

The story develops at a steady pace and focuses the viewer's attention on every tiny detail. The background score, the taut, unpredictable script, the fairly peculiar characters, all contribute to the film's suspenseful mood. Every scene in the film is relevant, interesting and thrilling, never letting the viewer get distracted for even one minute right until the rather shocking end.

The film's main protagonist is played by the absolutely fantastic Urmila Matondkar, who displays fear, confusion and total madness through her ever so intense facial expressions and body language to create a memorably ambiguous and freaky lady. The two co-actors support well, and it's rather unusual to see the wonderful Manoj Bajpai playing the typical moronic fellow.

"Kaun?" is an honest attempt by Varma which works very well for various reasons. The film provides chilling entertainment, and its intensely dark proceedings as well as its surprising ending make it one of the greatest thrillers made in Hindi cinema in recent times. Sadly, not enough films of this sort are being made in India, and when they are, they get little notice. A must-watch.

After watching his film COMPANY, I thought I should check out another Ram Gopal Varma film. I found this obscure film of his, KAUN? With only three characters credited, I wasn't really sure what to expect. Boy was I surprised, in a somewhat typical plot that really doesn't go anywhere, there is humor, wit and solid character development. It's a small film that resonated even stronger with me than COMPANY. The woman Urmila is fantastic in the girl-woman role and she truly is quite remarkable. In a film like this, it shows how much the director has a part in shaping the project. This movie just on plot would have been nothing, but Varma's direction is first rate and it shows. An interesting Indian film for sure, without any songs, the film is still somewhat Bollywood with the forced elements.

"Kaun" is the classic "Who is the murderer?" Urmila is alone in her house on a rainy night. The TV news warns that a serial killer is on the prowl. Suddenly Manoj Bajpai knocks on the door . She is scared but he manages to convince her to let him in. After entering the house he behaves weirdly. He has a sinister look and she senses that Bajpai is the psychopath. Horrified she tries to escape but then Sushant appears. He too enters the house. The terrified Urmila with two strangers in her home does not know whom to trust while Sushant & Bajpai assumes the other as the serial killer. The shocked Urmila, now a prisoner in her own house waits for a brutal death,. It's the ending which truly astounds the viewer - the hallmark of a true classic. There are two corpses and one murderer (the serial killer).

"Kaun" is without doubt the best suspense film that has originated from Bollywood. Credit should be shared equally by the Director, Ram Gopal Verma and the script writer Anurag Kashyap. Urmila as the meek & terrified Ms Malhotra, and the menacing Manoj Bajpai are brilliant.

A must see, my rating is 9.5/10

I am posting this review 6 years after watching this movie at Chennai's second rate theatre. Though I did watch this movie recently on DVD. I went to watch this movie just sheer out of ignorance as this movie did not have any publicity. I went to kill my time and was surprised by the movie. It is a great movie because of Urmila and Manoj Bajpai (Bhiku Matre of Satya). Both have acted well, and the Verma has build the errii atmosphere very well. Background score keeps you at the edge of your seat. This movie deviates from Ramsay world of horror movies and makes you feel as if you are watching best of bollywood horror movies. I must say Verma deserves kudos for making a brilliant movie. There will be very few who are not aware of the climax of the movie, but even then this movie deserves a watch. If otherwise, you are in for a surprise.

I was 16 years old when I went to see kaun in theatre and because the movie was rate adult I had to buy the ticket in black but even then the theatre owner wouldn't let me go in and so I had to request him to let me go in and so he let me. All the trouble I took for watching kaun was worth it. The ending was so surprising that after watching kaun I couldn't sleep at night. What haunted me was Urmila's performance. She was absoloutely brilliant. This one of RGV's best movie and is a must watch for anyone who likes thriller movies. My rating - 10/10

Ram Gopal Varma and Anurag Kashyap make a good team when Ramu is the director and Anurag the writer this was was really a great movie a simple movie with a surprising ending that knocks you off the chair it's about a girl home alone and how she confronts the 2 intruders that come into the house Manoj Bajpai is a great actor provides humor and frightens us it's superior dumb fun at it's best Ramu is a good director and will always be the " WHO'S THAT" song at the beginning is very nice and fits the theme perfectly really a great movie with actors that have a hidden talent to act you just have to bring it out and the director and scriptwriter are just the people needed to bring out the hidden talent thumbs up to the writer and director hope you continue to entertain us the way you have

In one line.. The best Thriller from Bolly/ Hollywood. Yes! You have read it right. Not even Hollywood has ever done a movie with such a superb script. I am sure no one from Hollywood has seen the movie, coz if I was a producer, that would be the first thing I would do. Without giving anything away, just let me tell you, how much can you do with a real time movie, with just two characters inside a house and a radio which says that a killer is running free in the city. JUST WATCH IT! I saw it back in 1999-2000, and I saw it yesterday and though you know the ending, you just cant get out of the movie, its so gripping. Ram Gopal Verma is undoubtedly the best director India has right now (Shekhar Kapoor doesn't make Hindi movies). Its not your "keep your brains out" typical 'Mass' movie directed by the Johars & Chopras with the Khans running around the Zintas and Mukherjees, its a thinking man's movie. No matter who you are, if you are reading this which means you KNOW MOVIES, you will enjoy this movie.

The story is very simple: one afternoon a young woman (who just happens to be beautiful) is alone in her luxurious home. She learns from the TV news that a killer is on the loose and becomes nervous at being alone in the house. A heavy storm begins and a man turns up on her doorstep asking for shelter until the rain stops. Being far wiser than the average Hollywood heroine, she politely refuses to let the stranger in as long as she can. When she does let him in, his odd and threatening behaviour convinces her he is the murderer... until another odd and threatening man also turns up.

In any movie, the film-makers have an unspoken contract with the audience. For example, high-pitched violin music at a moment of tension in the story signifies that moment and reinforces it. Either something happens, or the director subverts expectations when something pointedly does not happen. Another example regarding camera technique is when all shots are from a very low angle looking upwards at characters, as in the Shining where the technique lends the constant apprehension that someone or something is about to strike from behind. Directors can play with such conventions and invent new ones, but the fact remains that there are rules as to their use, and abuse of those rules alienates the audience.

This is the reason I nearly didn't make it past the first half hour of Kaun without walking out. The first 30 minutes consist almost entirely of the young woman looking in closets, flinging open shower curtains and looking under the bed, while the musical score is reminiscent of the moments of greatest tension from movies like Aliens or 2001: A Space Odyssey. In those movies the score rises to a thrilling crescendo as, respectively, Ripley et al escape from the exploding terra-forming site, and Dave encounters the Monolith and it transports him to parallel universes. In those movies, the directors used the score to heighten the images and move the audience in conjunction with the story - they played by the rules.

In Kaun, the young woman has no reason to be scared (yet) and her behaviour is as psychotic as the murderer she fears (notez bien!). To have a blaring soundtrack raise and disappoint expectations so many times in a row outside any real plot context so early in the movie - it was tiring and annoying. In addition, first person shots of the "camera as murderer", racing up the stairs, in this part of the movie also failed to play by the rules when the young woman looks directly into the "eyes" of the camera, then still doesn't see and has to look under the bed. Tiring and annoying.

However, the movie begins to take off when the first stranger arrives. He doesn't look like a murderer, bespectacled and in his business suit. He could be a young Indian dotcom businessman the way he spouts English catch-phrases casually inbetween his Hindi - but then what does a murderer look like? He asks after a name the young woman doesn't know, although the address is correct. The woman tells him there is no-one by that name and he goes away, to come back in a couple of minutes, knocking again. And then again when he says he has locked himself out of his car. And then again for something to eat. And then again to complement the lady on her cheese sandwiches. And then again to watch MTV through the window, passing comments all the while. His behaviour becomes more and more hilarious and disturbing at the same time.

When he tricks his way inside, the audience, like the young woman is kept wavering between the two ideas that he is in fact the murderer, and that he is simply a man who wanted to get out of the rain. Is his increasingly erratic behaviour simply a response to hers, feeding off each other's paranoia? When the young woman is certain he is he murderer and runs from him to flee out the front door - there is another man waiting there. This one is somewhat dishevelled, butwhen she says the other man is a murderer, he reassuringly, and oddly, immediately levels a gun at the other man. This second man claims to be a policeman.

After the humour of the business-man standing outside in the rain asking to come in, then the fright once he was inside, the interaction of the two men, neither of whom can account for themselves convincingly, is once again a source of humour to the audience. Until, after both being held at gunpoint by the woman trying to argue their case, convinced the other is the murderer endangering himself and the woman, a brutal attack takes place, convincing the other one remaining that the attacker is the murderer and leading to a further circle of horror.

Without giving away the story, other facts become apparent, other attacks take place and another person, asking for the same name as the businessman asked after comes and goes. From a poor, overblown and heavyhanded beginning, Kaun (subtitled in Japanese as "Who?") develops into a fine pyscho-thriller which keeps the audience by turns amused, terrified and grasping at straws..

It's fair to compare Kaun to the original Scream in that they both add a new self-reflexive dimension to the horror-genre. However, what Scream accomplishes with improbable plot twists and snappy Friends-like characters and writing, Kaun achieves in a completely credible story with only three unfathomable characters and a single set.

This is a movie well worth watching on a stormy night with the lights out.

Ram Gopal Varma is definitley my favourite indian film director. His movies are now highly anticipated in India similar to a Spielberg or Kubrick flick.

Kaun is only 90 minutes long, has no songs, only three characters and takes place entirely in one house. All Indian movie conventions are thrown out the door. But, Kaun may be one of the best cult movies to come out of India. (RGV also directed the amazing modern gangster classic Company in 2002)

Kaun could easily be made into a Hollywood ala the recent horror flick The Ring. I will not give away the ending, but suffice to say it will catch you off guard, blow you away but still leave your head scratching.

If RGV had added a few songs, some additional characters and a love story into the mix, Kaun may have had better recognition. But it would have also been a film much weaker in narrative scope. RGV has said many times that, he will only place songs in his movies if the situation warrants it (thats the reason for almost 7 songs in his film Rangeela, a story about a girl making it as a star in Bollywood)

If you have not seen Kaun, do yourself a favour and rent it, then watch all of RGV's films and see a true talented Indian filmaker, trying to elevate Bollywood commercial cinema to a new level

I have seen many RGV films and this one could be put as one of his best movies other than classic COmpany. If you haven't seen this movie, i will recommend this movie. This movie has no songs and running time of about 100 minutes. The first 20 or 30 minute of the film is kind of slow, so if you can make it through it you will be up for a plesant surprise. Great acting by Urmila and Manoj Bajpai.

4/5

It's a good clean fun to watch this thriller. No story there... only the narration is what you see and listen to. It was a surprise from RGV right after Satya. Those times, the bollywood is running around trees singing songs, these guys made a 1 hour 40 minuts song-dance-less Hitchcockian thriller.

Need to watch this movie 10 times... once for direction, once for each actors acting, once for story, narration.....

Urmila's active tops in the movie. Anurag and Rgv have shown how a movie can be made with just 3 live characters, 1 dead character , and 1 out of the frame not-heard-to-the-audience voice character.

So, it's good clean fun to watch this movie any time.

If anyone asks me which is the movie that changed my life I will certainly say that it is KAUN. I saw this movie when i was 14. What caught my attention about this movie was the distinct and innovative approach that varma and team took.

To make a full length movie with just 3 characters for instance is something really special. Can u imagine a Hindi movie taking place completely inside a house?? and no songs or romance for that matter. The script keeps it simple and engaging till the end. The direction is truly amazing. It never keeps you boring . It entertains you and keeps one guessing...

To add on to all these excellent performance from the 3 actors - urmila was really superb...she always is in ramuji's movies , manoj was at his excellent best and sushant singh completed the perfect cast. In my opinion varma and kashyap were the real stars . It was an audacious attempt which will be remembered for a long long time.

The climax was the best part of the movie and is a stroke of genius. After seeing this movie I was so impressed that I became a fan of Ramuji from then on. The fact that so much can be done with direction and scripting in a movie impressed me the most.

I think this movie should have affected some others too. Please try the movie if u haven't

This is quite a good thriller starring Urmila (who plays a scared girl alone at home) and how she confronts the 2 intruders into her home (manoj Bajpai and Sushant). Background music is chilling. Overall a very good movie and quite short with no songs. Like most RGV movies the other characters are completely overshadowed by Urmila who is the cynosure of the film and has come up with a knock-out performance.

Kaun? Is a psychological thriller that redefined the genre in Indian cinema. Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, the film is a claustrophobic exploration of fear, paranoia, and the human psyche. The film stands out for its minimalist approach, relying heavily on tight storytelling and innovative cinematography rather than large-scale sets or an ensemble cast.

Set entirely within a single house, the film follows a woman (Urmila Matondkar) who is alone at home when a mysterious stranger (Manoj Bajpayee) arrives. As the night progresses, the situation escalates into a terrifying ordeal, with the lines between victim and perpetrator blurring. The narrative unfolds in a tight and engaging manner, with twists and turns that keep the audience guessing until the very end.

Urmila Matondkar delivers a career-defining performance, showcasing her versatility as an actress. She delivers a powerful performance, effectively portraying the character's vulnerability and strength. Her expressions convey a range of emotions that resonate with the audience, drawing them into her predicament. Her transformation from a vulnerable woman to a survivor is both terrifying and compelling.

Manoj Bajpayee is equally impressive as the enigmatic stranger, creating a character that is both menacing and pitiable. Bajpayee's portrayal is a masterclass in subtlety, where the character's true nature is gradually unveiled through his actions and demeanor.

The interplay between these two characters is at the heart of the film's tension. Their dynamic shifts constantly, keeping the audience on edge. It's a testament to the actors' performances that they manage to create such complex and memorable characters in a relatively short amount of screen time.

Ram Gopal Varma's direction is a standout aspect of the film. He skillfully builds tension, using shadows, sound, and abrupt cuts to disorient the viewer, effectively mirroring the protagonist's fear and confusion.

The film's strength lies in its ability to create a sense of dread and anticipation. The claustrophobic setting, coupled with the eerie background score, heightens the tension. The screenplay is taut and economical, with every scene contributing to the overall atmosphere of suspense.

The cinematography by Santosh Sivan captures the film's dark ambiance perfectly. The use of lighting and camera angles enhances the suspenseful tone, making each scene feel claustrophobic and immersive.

The sound design plays a significant role in creating an unsettling atmosphere. The rain, thunder, and eerie silences contribute to a feeling of dread that permeates throughout the film.

The climax of Kaun? Is a masterstroke. The film's final moments are both shocking and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impact on the audience. The ending is open to interpretation, adding another layer of complexity to the film.

While "Kaun?" successfully delivers a suspenseful experience, some viewers might find the film's pacing slow at times, especially those accustomed to faster narrative arcs. Additionally, the film's twists, while effective, may feel predictable to seasoned thriller enthusiasts.

"Kaun?" is a commendable effort that showcases the power of simplicity in storytelling. With strong performances, expert direction, and a haunting atmosphere, it remains a notable entry in the thriller genre of Indian cinema. It challenges the notion of trust and fear, making it a psychological experience that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. For those who appreciate suspenseful narratives without the fluff of elaborate subplots, "Kaun?" is undoubtedly worth a watch.

I cannot believe this movie was made in 1999.such a perfect writing Everyone should watch this once in their lifetime. Wish more movies were made in bollywood like these.

Who's There? (1999) A girl who stay alone in her house and saw news regard serial killer... Soo she closed all doors and make sure she safe until a stranger visit her home... Totally 3 main characters in this movie but it's good to watch... In climax they didn't answer for everything but unexpected climax... One time watchable movie..!

Other reviews...

It's a rainy day and a young woman is all alone in the house. She is shown talking to her family on the phone, anxious for them to come back to the house. Adding to her anxiety is the television, which announces that a killer is on the loose. And then, the doorbell rings. Who could it be?

A house. A stormy evening. A young paranoid girl alone in the house. A TV report about some serial killer on the loose in the city. A stranger knocks the door.... The movie begins like this and the gripping suspense does not waver a bit throughout the movie. The whole movie has only three characters - one paranoid girl and two guys who both appear weird and capable of being a serial killer. The ending is guaranteed to throw you off your chair... It's been ages since I saw a brilliant movie like this. Scream, I know what you did last summer all pale in comparison to the gem that Ram Gopal Varma has directed. While the movie seems to be a tad bit slow in the first twenty minutes or so, it gains pace after that and never stops to surprise, shock and thrill us until the end. I simply cannot give away the end - it is too good! The movie has no songs and is less than 2 hours long - a novelty for an Indian movie.

I personally feel that it's the best Indian thriller to date, and one of the best thrillers in the world!

I was never fond of Urmilla's acting, therefore, comfortably avoided watching 'Kaun' for a very long time. It was not well publicised and the director and the cast was not very appealing at the time.

On a very lonely and quiet Sunday night, Channel 4, broad casted this film, as I had nothing better to do or watch, I decided to watch it hoping it would bore me to sleep.

The first 20-25 minutes the plan was starting to take affect, watching a home alone scared and annoying little girl (Urmilla) prance around; my eyelids were feeling heavy and then suddenly Sameer A. Purnavale (Manoj Bajpai) knocks on the door. Man, after that my plan failed horribly and it's the first time I was glad it did.

The intensity in which Urmilla, Manoj Bajpai and the débutant Shushant Singh played their characters were superb. I couldn't take my eyes of the telly. The direction by RGV was fantastic and the eerie atmosphere created by him was never experienced by me from any Bollywood movies.

I have always rated the movies which have great ending and 'Kaun' certainly doesn't disappoint in that department.

I will have to say this is the best Bollywood movie in this genre. I will put it up there with the likes of 'The Ring' – Japanese version.

If you have not seen it yet, what heck have you been doing? Don't be stupid as I have or else you will miss a classic Bollywood thriller.

10/10.

I think I've seen too many movies in my lifetime cause I figured it out and without reading any spoiler. Still good acting and suspense creation for most of the movie, the rain helps with the latter.

Who? Should be Why? Why would Ram Gopal Varma make yet another ridiculous "horror/comedy" movie? Why would Urmila agree to take this horrible role? Why did I waste several hours of my life watching this? There were too few characters in this movie(three)and it was limited to one set, which made it more suitable for a stage play versus film. That alone did not make it a bad movie, the plot alone would probably make an incredible stage play. However, Urmila's bad acting (this coming from a big fan) and the ridiculous script made it insufferable. And of course, RGV's insistence on atrociously bad "horror movie music", you know the kind that -bump bump bump, thump- shakes you up waiting for something bad to happen and it's just the wind. It's not innovative, not thought provoking, not even interesting. Plot twists abound to the point where you don't even care. Halfway through the movie you hope everyone dies so you don't have to suffer anymore.