'Sssshhh' came out when most of the hopeless directors were either running short of ideas or glamorizing trashy tales with hi-tech SFX. Despite being a bastardized version of Wes Craven's well-received cult flick 'Scream', 'Sssshhh' succeeds in creating atmosphere of its own. The atmosphere it builds is not because of the plot, but outstanding locations. The locations are both fantastic and spooky at the same time. I remember when I left the cinema hall, I didn't have much to say about the plot but at the same time praised the director for being so wise in choosing locations that successfully induce the sense of solitude in one's mind. Amateur Tanisha doesn't have much god-gifted charms to throw on screen and Suvarna Jha looks like a slut with her horribly groomed and badly 'damaged' hair, and has nothing else to do than acting promiscuous; Nevertheless the role of female protagonist didn't fall to her. Well, better luck next time! Till then keep enjoying your slice of dumb family operas.
'Sssshhh' begins with Malini (Simone Singh), playing squash in the squash court, when she hears a strange and horrendous voice talking to her via announcement speakers. The voice (obviously a male voice) tells Malini of the imminent horrors she would soon be a part of. While Malini thinks that her boyfriend is trying to play a prank upon her, the voice makes clear that it is not her boyfriend's voice. Malini soon witnesses brutal murder of her boyfriend, who is stabbed mercilessly and is shoved on the glass wall of the squash room. A frightened Malini tries to save herself, but the killer, who has put on a joker mask and is clad in a black dress from head to toe, is bit too smart and manages to grab and stab her to death.
After six months, we meet Mahek (Tanisha), a free-spirited and innocent teen, who is tormented by the untimely death of her elder sister Malini. Mahek has good chums, namely Rocky (Dino Morea), Nikhil (Kushal), Priya (Tina), Gehna (Suvarna) and Rajat (Gaurav). Mahek lives with her mother Mrs. Gujral (Maya Alagh), who separated from her husband Mr. Gujral (Nasir Abdullah) long back, when Malini and Mahek were young. The real story starts when Mahek meets a sober young man Karan (Karan Nath) at a departmental store and mistakes her for Malini's killer. Mahek finds that Karan is a student at her college and welcomes him in her group. Mahek's group, however, gives an unfriendly welcome to Karan. Few days later, one of the lady professors is ruthlessly killed in the lady's room. Inspector Kamath (Shivaji Satam) and Inspector Aakash (Aly Khan) arrive at the college for investigation. The only clue to the killer are his shoe impressions. At first the cops are skeptical about both Rocky and Karan, but they don't have anything more than shoe impressions to prove their guilt.
Karan and Mahek enjoy good times together and soon go hand-in-hand. An obviously turmoiled Rocky despises Mahek's relationship with Karan. However, he keeps things to himself and Rajat, his shabby pal. Everything seems fine, until Mahek is attacked by the killer. She somehow saves herself and mistakes Karan for the killer and calls for his arrest. Karan is taken to the police station but is soon released. Mahek feels sorry for her behavior and tries to rebuild her relationship with Karan. Meanwhile the friends are planning for a pleasant trip to Thailand. They soon go there and after few days end up at a lonely island. It is there when one by one they are killed by the killer, who has stalked them all the way and is looking for a remorseless payback.
So did you enjoy the story? I didn't. I told you, there is nothing in the story. What make this film great are the charismatic locations of Thailand. The deserted sea beach of the lonely island forces the viewer to remember the idyllic life Alexander Selkirk spent at Juan Fernandez Islands. What looks beautiful is mostly fatal. The vast expanse of sea and the fear of being alone at an abandoned but pristine beach will give you shivers. You set out all the way with your friends to enjoy the raw and unspoiled beauty of nature and suddenly realize that you are not able to bear the tremendous sense of isolation and are devoid of any means to reach the mainland. I really can understand what Tom Neale must have felt when he penned down his experiences in his book 'An Island For Oneself'. So friends, if you are looking for untouched but creepy, beautiful but lethal, and picturesque but grotesque locations, please go for it.
