Generally
speaking,
a
film
starring
relative
newcomers
and
helmed
by
a
first-time
director
comes
with
zilch
expectations.
And
if
the
film
in
question
happens
to
be
a
suspense-thriller,
the
debutante
director
has
to
walk
a
tight
rope.
One
false
step
and
chances
are
he'd
fall
on
his
face.
Debutante
director
Shawn
Arranha
surprises
you
in
his
very
first
outing.
It
may
not
be
the
most
captivating
thriller
you've
watched,
but
there
are
moments
that
keep
you
hooked
to
the
proceedings.
Also,
a
suspense
saga
works
if
you
continue
to
play
the
guessing
game
till
the
end
and
in
this
case,
you
can't
tell
who
the
culprit
is.
That
is
nothing
short
of
a
victory
for
this
film!
On
the
flip
side,
the
making
could've
been
better
in
terms
of
production
values
and
at
times,
it
does
give
an
impression
of
being
a
rushed
job
as
far
as
the
writing
is
concerned.
Love
slasher
movies?
Watch
Hide
&
Seek.
It
has
ample
adrenaline
pumping
moments!
They
were
kids
-
Om,
Abhi,
Jaideep,
Imran,
Gunita
and
Jyotika.
And
it
all
started
as
a
game
on
a
chilly
Christmas
night.
But
little
did
they
expect
that
night
that
the
game
would
change
their
lives
forever.
Twelve
years
later,
while
some
still
wrestled
with
memories
of
that
fateful
night
and
others
left
it
buried
deep
within
them,
it
was
a
past
that
came
back
to
haunt
them
again.
Twelve
years
later,
someone
was
bringing
them
all
together.
To
play
that
game
all
over
again.
Six
best
friends
turn
into
worst
enemies
when
trapped
in
a
shopping
mall.
If
you
let
logic
take
a
backseat,
chances
are
you'd
enjoy
this
ride
more.
Just
don't
question
how
one
person,
single-handedly,
kidnaps
his
friends
the
same
night
and
assembles
them
at
one
location,
without
any
help
whatsoever.
If
you
skip
this
gaffe,
the
journey
ahead
would
be
riveting
in
most
parts.
It
takes
time
to
get
used
to
the
plot.
It
does
get
confusing
when
the
film
goes
back
and
forth
with
regularity
and
you
wonder,
what
is
the
director
trying
to
say?
But
the
jigsaw
puzzle
slowly
gets
solved
in
the
post-interval
portions,
although
the
end
sends
out
confusing
signals.
In
view
of
the
fact
that
it
is
his
first
film,
Shawn
does
a
commendable
job.
Only
thing,
he
should've
simplified
a
few
things,
especially
the
end.
The
songs
are
okay,
while
the
camerawork
lacks
finesse.
The
performances
by
the
lead
actors
are
neat,
with
every
member
putting
his/her
best
foot
forward.
Purab
Kohli
is
super-efficient,
as
always.
Arjan
Bajwa
gets
the
look
and
feel
of
the
character
right.
Samir
Kochhar
leaves
a
strong
impact.
Ayaz
Khan
is
decent.
Mrinalini
Sharma
springs
a
pleasant
surprise
with
a
'spirited' performance.
Amruta
Patki
impresses
as
well.
On
the
whole,
Hide
&
Seek
is
a
gripping
suspense
drama
that
keeps
you
guessing
till
its
end.
Go
for
it,
if
a
good
suspense
thriller
is
what
you're
looking
at!
Directed
by
-
Shawn
Arranha
Starring
-
Purab
Kohli,
Arjan
Bajwa,
Mrinalini
Sharma,
Samir
Kochhar,
Ayaz
Khan,
Amruta
Patki