A Wedding Story Movie Review : The powerful concept builds intrigue but narrative and scares fall short

Story: When a man dies during an inauspicious period called Panchak, his son refuses to conduct a ceremonial ritual to ward off negative energies. Shortly afterwards, his cousin’s wedding becomes a nightmare as ominous spirits haunt the family.

Review: According to Vedic astrology, Panchak—the last five days of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August-September)—is an inauspicious time when one must avoid certain activities and rituals. When Tarun Nain’s (Lakshvir Saran) father passes away during this period, the pandit recommends burning five statues of flour in the funeral pyre to ward off a curse. However, an enraged Tarun refuses to allow this charade, casting away the statues infused with life. The same night, he and his cousin, Vikram (Vaibhav Tatwawadi), drive to stay at their farmhouse and inadvertently take the statues with them. A series of ominous episodes ensues, jeopardising the family and Vikram’s fiance Preeti Bharadwaj’s (Mukti Mohan) lives.

Writer Shubho Shekhar Bhattacharjee and director Abhinav Pareek’s horror film has an intriguing premise, injecting a unique hook into the genre. The film's first half effectively builds tension, exploring the eerie atmosphere and the mysterious consequences of the interrupted ritual. However, the narrative loses momentum in the second half and the scenes become disjointed. While the film offers atmospheric scares, they are inconsistent and fail to maintain the initial intrigue.

The script leaves many questions unanswered, such as Tarun's experiences, which convince him that the family is cursed. The focus oscillates between the mystery and family dynamics, disrupting the narrative's flow. The film’s 110-minute runtime feels rushed, particularly after the interval. A slightly extended runtime could have allowed for a more in-depth exploration of certain plot points. For instance, the focus abruptly shifts away from the central couple, only returning to them near the conclusion.

Despite these shortcomings, the film has its strengths. Pareek’s direction is commendable, and Supratim Bhol’s cinematography is the highlight, capturing the eerie atmosphere with skilful camera angles and lighting. Sucheeta Bhattacharjee’s music adds to the film’s atmosphere, and the soundtrack by Rahi Syed stands out.

The performances are good, with Vaibhav Tatwawadi and Mukti Mohan delivering strong chemistry as the couple. Lakshvir Saran, while limited in screen time, makes an impact. However, character development leaves much to be desired.

A Wedding Story is a decent watch with a strong concept, promising premise, and atmospheric visuals. But, a more focused narrative and seamless screenplay would have elevated it to a more haunting experience.