The
great
debate
between
science
and
superstition
continues,
but
RGV's
new
film
Phoonk
tilts
in
favour
of
superstition.
Surprising,
isn't
it?
The
makers
of
the
film
had
organized
a
contest.
You'd
be
given
a
handsome
reward
if
you've
the
courage
to
watch
Phoonk
all
alone
in
a
theatre,
we're
told.
Honestly
speaking,
Phoonk
isn't
scary
by
any
standards,
but
as
a
subject,
it
works
big
time
because
somewhere
deep
within
us,
we've
heard
of
the
power
of
the
unknown.
Whether
you're
superstitious
or
not,
you
may've
heard
tales/experiences
concerning
jaadu
tona.
And
you're
all
eyes
and
ears
the
moment
someone
comes
up
with
an
alibi.
Phoonk
is
easily
amongst
RGV's
finest
works
[although
BHOOTH
was
scarier]
and
it
holds
your
attention
all
through.
As
a
viewer,
you're
keen
to
know
how
RGV
would
culminate
this
story.
The
culmination,
of
course,
would
meet
with
extreme
reactions.
Some
would
rubbish
it,
but
the
believers
might
endorse
the
finale.
In
my
individualistic
opinion,
it's
outstanding!
All
said,
Phoonk
is
a
fantastic
experience.
The
subject
--
black
magic
--
is
its
biggest
star
and
that
alone
would
ensure
House
Full
boards
outside
plexes/cinemas.
Rajeev
[Sudeep],
a
successful
construction
engineer,
with
a
loving
wife
and
two
children,
is
an
atheist
to
the
core.
He
scowls
at
people
who
believe
in
the
dark
forces,
till
one
day
when
an
evil
is
let
loose
in
his
happy
home,
which
threatens
to
destroy
his
family
and
shake
up
the
very
foundations
of
his
convictions
and
beliefs.
Thanks
to
the
hype
and
curiosity
generated
around
the
movie,
you
expect
to
be
scared
from
Scene
1
itself.
And
RGV
emphasises
on
lighting
and
artefacts,
besides
an
eccentric
woman
[Ashwini
Kalsekar],
to
create
the
right
atmosphere.
Of
course,
you
do
get
the
jhatkas
in
a
scene
or
two,
but
you
don't
clasp
your
hands
tightly
even
once,
nor
does
your
heart
goes
dhak-dhak
at
a
lightening
speed.
Gradually,
RGV
plays
with
the
camera
[excellent
camerawork
by
Savita
Singh]
and
sound
[Kunal
Mehta,
Parikshit
Lalwani]
to
heighten
the
impact.
Like
all
RGV
films,
the
camera
angles
bear
the
unmistakable
RGV
stamp,
while
the
background
score
[Bapi-Tutul]
takes
an
ordinary
scene
to
the
next
level.
RGV
is
back
with
a
bang.
There's
a
certain
consistency
from
start
to
end
and
this
time,
he
gets
the
right
subject
to
prove
his
detractors
wrong.
Every
sequence
bears
the
stamp
of
a
genius
that
RGV
is,
hits
and
flops
notwithstanding.
The
performances
are
uniformly
good.
Sudeep
impresses
you
with
an
excellent
performance.
Amruta
Khanvilkar
is
efficient.
Baby
Ahsaas
Channa
makes
a
strong
impression.
Ashwini
Kalsekar
is
top
notch.
Zakir
Hussain's
tantric
act
is
superb.
Ganesh
Yadav
lends
good
support.
K.K.
Raina
and
Lilette
Dubey,
both
doctors,
are
competent.
Kenny
Desai,
Anu
Ansari
and
the
actress
enacting
the
role
of
Sudeep's
mother
are
perfect.
On
the
whole,
Phoonk
is
a
fascinating
cinematic
experience
on
a
subject
that's
rarely
tackled
by
the
dream
merchants
in
Bollywood:
Black
magic.
The
subject
itself
is
the
biggest
star
of
the
film,
which
would
ensure
a
flying
start
at
the
box-office
and
in
turn,
prove
a
jackpot
for
its
producers
who've
distributed
the
film
themselves.