Ek Thi Dayaan - Spooky, Not Spectacular

A film that boasts of a credibly proficient star cast- Emraan Hashmi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kalki Koechlin and Huma Qureshi – undoubtedly this would believed to be leaving you in an awe; as till date they have delivered performances that leave you with a 'craving' for more (If only we can drag Hashmi to the same league – am leaving this judgment to audience).

‘Ek Thi Daayan’, directed by Kannan Iyyer, will definitely impress you in a way as because the performances of the actors are truly mentionable. They have poured just the right amount of emotions, actions, expressions and everything else needed as per the script - at the right place - and - at the right time. However, on the far side, the film lacks substance and comes across as a median illustration of necromancy and about the old belief of the existence of ‘Daayans’.

Written by Mukul Sharma and Vishal Bhardwaj, ‘Ek Thi Daayan’ revolves around the life of Bobo (Emraan Hashmi), a famous magician, who shares his space with his lady love Tamra (Huma Qureshi). They are a happy couple and are willing to adopt an orphan – Zubin (Bhavesh Balchandani). Bobo’s life is near good, till he's haunted by a Daayan. He seeks the assistance of a hypnotiser, Dr. Palit (Rajatava Dutta), to assist himself unravel mysteries of his past and to own a briefing with the eerie facet of his life. Where is once he was reminded of his sister (forgot the child's name), his father (Pawan Malhotra) and his step-mother Diana (Konkona).

In a state of mental void, Bobo remembers his passion for necromancy and varied alternative incidents that result in a spooky revelation.
It was however a refreshing sight to see Emraan don a mature avatar. As Bobo, he delivers a performance worth to be praised with a clapping. Huma Qureshi exhibits beauty and has established her acting skills to superiority yet another time. But for me the one who can mesmerize you is - Konkona. She was like a breeze. She possess the ability to take a role to exclusivity – you'll be left with the feeling that this role was written keeping her in mind. An actor par excellence, the ‘Mr and Mrs Iyer’ player is impeccable here as a step mom as well as a Dayaan. Kalki Koechlin as Lisa Dutt, whom you'd meet in the last half of the film, is refined and realistic at the same time.

But to be true, for me the match winner is Visheh Tiwari (young Bobo). In won't be wrong to state that he is a powerhouse of talent. Sky is that the limit for the child. The entire first half of the film belongs to this kid. Kudos..!! He deserves an ovation.

The art direction team has done a commendable job by giving a visible illustration to the eerie facet of their creative thinking. The sets emit ways of supernatural presence and facilitate a differently middling story.

Despite the positives, somehow the story fails to substantiate the emergence of a Daayan in Bobo’s life and the subsequent happenings. The film could have been a milestone in the horror genre of Indian cinema, if only the treatment could have be thought or implemented in an unconventional manner. No doubt, spooky sequences send shivers down your spine, but still the remainder fail to grip your senses.

The eclipse, the bissextile year, the screeching sounds of the Daayan and the constant projection of a lizard - are injected to create a sudden hugger-mugger and they do create some; but the end was too predictable – childish and hurried; and it spoiled everything.

But I would not hesitate to comment that Kannan Iyer, the captain of the ship, is spectacular in his work of detailing and directing. Obviously, songs composed by Vishal Bhardwaj soothe your soul and sure to be kept in your private collection. The track ‘Kaali Kaali aakhon ka kaala kaala jadu hai’ is marvelous – my personal favorite .

Overall, I would say the film fails to live up to the expectations it created during its promotions. It could have, if they would have thought of an 'out-of-the-contemporary' end. You may watch the film for the satisfactory show placed up by the actors and if you have a specific liking for spookiness.