Newcomer Adah Sharma in a still from Vikram Bhatt's film 1920.
Rajneesh Duggal, Adah Sharma, Ballu the Ghastly Gardener
Direction: Vikram Bhatt
Rating: **1/2
Boo, tywhoo and all that. Vikram Bhatt’s
1920: A Ghost
Story is about Elizabethan carriages, horses with the furriest feet this side of a panda, a
haveli in Yorkshire which is supposed to pass of as
Purani Mumbai, and best of all, Raj Zutshi who glares at the camera as he always does, to announce, “We have to do exorcism!”
About time Zuts, because the newly weds (Raj Duggal-Adah Sharma) are being shocked out of their coats and petticoats. Indeed, the man’s so devoted to his bride that he nearly has a fainting fit at a Rakhi Sawant dance nite. She should sue.
There are no surprises for anyone who has seen spine tinglers from Bees Saal Baad and The Exorcism to Whatever-Ramsay-You, but to Bhatt’s credit, after the intermission he goes full blast at the spooky, Satanic-possession stuff. In fact, the climax is one of the best executed attempts in special effects in recent times. Body bending, wall scaling, and booming sound effects, you bite your nails with worry at the flurry.
Adnan Sami’s music is several cuts above the commonplace with vocals by Pandit Jasraj and Shubha Mudgal. Of the newcomers, Rajneesh Duggal has a striking screen presence and goes at his role with absolute sincerity. He’s here to stay. Adah Sharma, in a difficult role, is likeable. If you’re into desi horror, here’s a more satisfying ticket than Phoonk 2008.