REVIEW: Agyaat-The Unknown

Is it a ghost? Is it a snake? No, it is Agyaat-The Unknown. Looks like the writers took the title too seriously. Because everything about this movie, from the plot to purpose leaves you guessing.

Filmmaking is obviously all that keeps RGV busy. So at any given time the director is in the midst of starting or finishing a film. A good day at work for Varma translates in to gems such as Sarkar and Company – while the rest are pretty mundane and insignificant. Agyaat is another of RGV's excuses to show off some fancy camera movements and deafening sound effects. In the past, his play with technique to create a sense of eeriness worked brilliantly in Bhoot.

After an arresting opening sequence, Agyaat slips into a tale of Bollywood power struggles. So you have arrogant superstars, frustrated technicians and exploited assistants shouting at the top of their voices. Later Varma uses these clashes as reference points for his big message in the film. His point being that fear is the greatest leveler of them all. And social hierarchies have no meaning when you face death. But the entire first half is wasted in establishing the characters.

Placing a bunch of people from diverse backgrounds in an unknown, horrifying situation reminds you of the classic Gumnam. There it was a haunted house, here it is the jungle. But the dramatic portions of that horror flick worked because of the talented cast. Agyaat is filled with a bunch of hamming, unknowns (no pun intended). Even the clashes on Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachcao seem more believable.

Nisha aka Priyanka Kothari is the only known face around. Varma continues his fixation with making her do aerobics on screen. So there's enough screen time devoted to her arms, thighs, abs and so on. We know Kothari can't act, but she has a certain raunchy sex appeal that's unfortunately gone unnoticed so far. Someone please offer her a reality show. A skimpily clad Kothari is far more watchable than the dense forest this movie is set in.

Agyaat picks up post interval. But the death sequences are so monotonous that you wish someone just killed them all at one go and finished the film. Varma was obviously out to make a desi mix of Predator, Blair Witch Project and Anaconda. But surprisingly even his technical wizardry doesn't make much impact this time. Agyaat lacks the spooky fun of Phoonk or constant eeriness of Jungle. What Agyaat might always be remembered for is its bizarre climax. Only Varma can go ahead with something like this. Agyaat is less scary and more absurd.

Verdict: If the sequel he promised (read threatened) ever gets made, we wish him luck. For now, Agyaat lacks the chills and thrills to make an impact.

Rating: 1.5/5