Raat

I have recently been revisiting Bollywood because I felt I had been neglecting such a large and prestigious industry as a film fan. I first saw Raat with English subs on TV when I was on vacation in Bangalore, India, and was impressed by it, so impressed, in fact, that I went to the video store nearby and bought a VCD of the film. Years later, after much searching, I found a very scratched CD in my collection with no cover and it was "Raat", so I decided to watch it.

Ram Gopal Varma is apparently something of a legend over in Bollywood, but I've only seen two other films of his (Sarkar, the Indian remake of "The Godfather", and another very good horror film, "Kaun", which I have fond memories of), so I can't really vouch for that, but his direction here is stylish and he sets the mood perfectly. The movie itself reminded me a lot of several different Hollywood films, the possession scenes were reminiscent of "The Exorcist" and the majority of the opening half hour eerily reminiscent of "Evil Dead", but it has enough respect for those classics not to blatantly copy them, and it's successful because it learned from the very best, and applied it damn well.

9/10

I had started to become a fan of Ram Gopal Verma when I saw this movie. And I was all the more impressed by this talented film maker. The movie can remind us of Exorcist. But only as far as the main theme goes. Otherwise it is shot completely differently. Believe me, you will be kept on the edge of your seat if you see it in full attention. The atmosphere is kept tense all the time from beginning . The movie has many innovative scenes which I had never seen before (the one in the theater, and the one in the jungle off a road for e.g.). Not to mention, the background score, Revati's performance, and Om Puri's role. The possessed Revati's expressions really scared me.

Final note : See it !!

(Actually I was disappointed when I saw Bhoot recently. Why did he have to make a not-that-good horror movie when he had already accomplished more successfully in Raat ?)

Normally, Indian films are anything but subtle. The horror films are even more crude, so it is a treat to watch something as well-made as this. Varma's direction is tight and stylistic, and the movie maintains suspense throughout this tale of the supernatural. Revathi's acting is especially fine. Recommended.

This is one of the best horror movies and the milestone of Indian Cinema. Ram Gopal Verma is really a genius. Wonderful cast with wonderful acting. Om Puri is a well reputed theater artist of Indian Cinema. RAAT is the story of a family that moves into a haunted house, and the eventual possession of their daughter Minnie.

At the releasing time of RAAT people were fed up with Ramsay brothers types movies which contains several sex scenes, some dirty faces and some Haunted Hawelis but this movie gave audience new experience.

You will not see any high class special effects in this movie but the sound effect and acting are out of the world. Hats off to Ramu. I will give 10/10 to this. A must watch.

Pick anything out of Ramgopal Verma Part I and you will find a gem mostly, as was Raat, which to my mind is the best ever ghost movie Bollywood has produced. Revathi is the star of the show, stupendous acting, and the eeriness felt throughout is unmatched in even the directors's later movies. 8/10