Bhoot Returns (Hindi)

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3.5/10
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2.0/10
Release Date:
October 12, 2012

Tarun, an out-of-towner architect moves in with his family to a luxurious bungalow that he has acquired on a rather cheap rent. His wife Namrata's curiosity over the seemingly low rent is quashed by their kids who readily approve of the new house. Soon 10 yr. old Taman and 6yr old Nimmi who are often at loggerheads find their own activities to do in the new house. Taman spends his time on videogames and TV whereas the curious kitten Nimmi spends her time exploring the various spaces of the house. During one such exploration Nimmi finds a cute looking doll. Soon after the discovery of the doll Nimmi starts including 'Shabbu' in all her activities. The family mistakes Nimmi's new doll to be Shabbu. But they are left gob smacked as Nimmi introduces the doll as 'Dolly' and points at an empty space and introduces her invisible friend as Shabbu. The parents suspect Nimmi's playfulness and wild imagination as the reason for her new 'friends'.

Soon Tarun's younger sister Pooja surprises the familyby visiting them straight after a wildlife photography assignment. The prankster in Pooja decides to scare Nimmi but instead gets jolted by a Shabbu remark. As Tarun, Namrata and Pooja discuss Nimmi's fixation over her imaginary friend Shabbu; the domestic help Laxman is sure of the presence of a spirit in Nimmi's life. Laxman's worries receive severe backlash from Tarun, an ardent rationalist. Soon, each night at the bungalow seem to turn for the worse, all with knocks at unearthly hours, demonic sounds and eerie movements throughout the house. 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 explainsNimmi'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 cameras at various places in the house. The footage from these cameras is proof enough for the already disturbed Namrata to take a decision to vacate the house. The otherwise cool-headed Tarun's mind starts reeling as he sees the captured footage. The family finally decides to vacate the house. But the house has other plans of its own as Nimmi is found missing.

Tarun, an out-of-towner architect moves in with his family to a luxurious bungalow that he has acquired on a rather cheap... Show More

Wogma

Editor   Oct 12, 2012 20:08  

With next to nothing happening in the first 70 minutes and a disgustingly horrifying last 20 minutes, Bhoot Returns pretty much yells 'don't watch me'. Even if the aim of the film is to disgust and horrify you, the approach it takes doesn't make the film any more palatable.

Prakash Gowda

Editor   Oct 18, 2012 07:39  

Bhoot Returns to torment you

Is it a remake of Vastu Shastra? Or Rehash of Paranormal Activity? Or is it a spoof of all RGV films? These questions pop up in the mind while watching Bhoot Returns. The auditorium appeared spookier than the film, with mere six to seven people seated – two at one corner, two on the opposite and two at the last row. Now I understood director Ram Gopal Varma’s caveat: Don’t watch Bhoot Returns alone!

The film begins with a line that elicits laughter than shock – ‘Some people can’t wait to move into new houses and some houses can’t wait for new people to come in’. Tarun (JD Chakravorthy), his sister (Madhu Shalini), his wife (Manisha Koirala) and their two kids move into a new house. There’s also a younger version of Ramu Kaka – a servant who warns them of ghostly consequences (Now I know he was warning the audience, suggesting a quick rush towards exit door).

The entire family does nothing but play hide and seek all night and discuss the servant’s involvement in playing the spooky guy. One wonders how the family manages to pay the rent and do up their home with those scary artifacts!

The story is as invisible as the film’s ghost, screenplay goes for a toss and plot is thrown out of the window. The camera work gets shaky at one time and grainy at the other, which confirm your suspicion that it was shot by film school students or perhaps the bored spot boys.

Sandeep Chowta tries to scare you with his eardrum splitting background score – doesn’t work. The point where you find the film interesting is precisely where the film ends. The bhoot hints a comeback, but the audience surely won’t. The scariest part of Bhoot Returns was that I chose to watch it.

RAHUL and RD

  

Ishan AspiringActor