Eerie, suspenseful, and unsettling, this film brings a chilling twist to the horror genre. Starring Nushrratt Bharuccha in the lead role, along with Mita Vashisht, Rajesh Jais, and Saurabh Goyal, this 2021 horror thriller dives deep into a rural village setting haunted by dark secrets. Set in the present day, the movie unfolds in an isolated village, where age-old customs and mysteries create an atmosphere thick with fear and unease. The genre is a blend of horror and psychological thriller, aiming to disturb with its powerful themes of societal issues wrapped in a terrifying supernatural narrative.
The story follows Sakshi, a young, pregnant woman, who, after facing threats in her own home, seeks shelter in an isolated village with her husband. As she tries to adjust to the unfamiliar rural environment, she begins experiencing eerie, supernatural occurrences that seem linked to the village’s history and its unsettling attitudes toward women and motherhood. Sakshi quickly realizes that she and her unborn child are in grave danger, and as she digs deeper into the mysteries of the village, she finds herself on a terrifying journey of survival.
Nushrratt delivers a strong performance, capturing Sakshi’s vulnerability, fear, and determination. Known for her roles in romantic dramas and comedies, she explores new territory here, demonstrating her range by portraying a woman trapped in an unimaginable nightmare. Her portrayal of Sakshi feels authentic, her body language and expressions capturing both terror and inner strength. Mita Vashisht, as the mysterious local woman Bhanno, adds to the film’s eerie quality, her performance laden with an unsettling calmness that makes Bhanno’s motivations hard to decipher. Together, the cast elevates the horror and suspense, making the audience genuinely worry for Sakshi’s fate.
Directed by Vishal Furia, the film combines elements of traditional horror with a psychological undercurrent, making it more than just a jump-scare thriller. Furia carefully builds tension, using slow pacing and prolonged moments of silence to heighten the fear factor. The direction is reminiscent of traditional horror techniques, with shadows, creaky floors, and ominous sounds becoming characters in their own right. Furia’s vision brings a raw and realistic horror experience, using the village’s desolate and decaying atmosphere to create a sense of confinement. His direction emphasizes the claustrophobia and helplessness that Sakshi feels, and the decision to focus more on psychological horror rather than constant jump scares sets this film apart from many other modern horror films.
Cinematography by Anshul Chobey significantly contributes to the film’s dark, foreboding atmosphere. The camera work captures the rural setting’s isolation and bleakness, amplifying the horror element. Wide-angle shots of the barren fields and decrepit homes enhance the feeling of loneliness and entrapment, while close-ups emphasize the characters’ raw emotions, making the audience feel each moment of fear alongside Sakshi. The color palette is deliberately muted, with washed-out greens, browns, and grays that reflect the lifeless, haunting vibe of the village. The visual storytelling here is effective, adding layers of psychological depth to the supernatural elements.
The musical score and sound design add another layer of intensity to the horror, using minimal yet impactful background music to underscore key moments. Relying on silence and natural sounds, like the rustling of leaves and whispers of the wind, enhances the suspense, making the viewer hyper-aware of every slight noise. This approach works well, as it reflects Sakshi’s growing paranoia and fear. The subtle, almost invisible music blends into the environment, creating an auditory tension that plays with the mind, which is more unsettling than a loud, invasive soundtrack. The sound design effectively complements the slow-burn horror style and leaves a lingering unease that stays long after the scene ends.
Costume design and production play an essential role in grounding the horror in reality. The villagers’ traditional attire, the crumbling houses, and the eerie, deserted fields all create a setting that feels authentic, grounding the supernatural elements within a harsh, realistic environment. Sakshi’s transition from city attire to more simplistic, traditional clothes also reflects her psychological shift as she becomes part of the village’s dark legacy. The production team deserves praise for its attention to detail, ensuring that every visual and tactile element reinforces the village’s oppressive, haunted vibe.
The film doesn’t rely on excessive special effects, but the few used are subtle and effective, designed to enhance rather than dominate the horror. The supernatural scenes are handled carefully, using practical effects and suggestive camera angles rather than elaborate CGI, which keeps the horror grounded. This minimalistic approach works well within the film’s tone, allowing the audience’s imagination to fill in the blanks, heightening the terror. The restraint in visual effects keeps the focus on the emotional and psychological elements, making it a much more intense and immersive experience.
This film offers an intense, gripping experience that explores themes of motherhood, fear, and societal expectations through a horror lens. Its portrayal of horror is not just about supernatural scares but also about the horrors of age-old societal practices and how they impact women. The psychological element keeps the audience engaged, and the depth of storytelling makes it more than just a typical horror flick. If you appreciate a horror movie with a message and an authentic, unnerving atmosphere, this film is highly recommended. It’s haunting and thought-provoking, shedding light on real-life fears wrapped in a supernatural narrative.
