REVIEW: BHEDIYA

Producer-Dinesh Vijan

Director-Amar Kaushik

Star Cast- Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Abhishek Banerji, Deepak Dobriyal and Paalin Kabak

Genre- Horror Comedy

Platform of Release- Theatres

Rating- ***

Jyothi Venkatesh

Bhediya comes up with its own unique tight grip on linear storytelling and cinematic treatment, without dragging or for that matter falling flat on the way. To his credit, Amar Kaushik, who had helmed the horror-comedy Stree by the same banner, handles both genres skillfully in his latest outing and strikes the right balance to deliver a movie that is not just spine chilling in some instances, but also rib-tickling, leaving you with something to ponder about.

The film dwells at length about a road construction contractor, Bhaskar (Varun Dhawan), who sets out to go to Arunachal Pradesh to build a highway through the dense jungle of Ziro. Besides opposition from the local tribal community, his companions including his cousin JD, his North East friend Jomin and he, have a bigger challenge, when a series of unexpected deaths take place soon after Bhaskar is bitten by a wild wolf and the principal character turns into an ‘icchha-dhaari’ wolf.

Kudos to the writer Niren Bhatt for the exquisite narrative, that very smartly, includes the mention of several movies that continue to remain in public memory for many reasons, including Jaani Dushman, Rahul Roy-starrer Junoon, the 90s animation show Jungle Book and its title track ‘Chaddi pehen ke phool khila hai,’ which leave you guffawing in the theatres.

As a viewer, you get turned on instantly by the detailed turnover, from human to werewolf, even if the creature swings between looking scarily real to one which is constructed-by-graphics, all the time, with then CGI guys having a good time backflexing, hair spouting, tail sprouting and teeth sharpening.

Though the character of Kriti Sanon as the veterinary doctor Anuika has not been clearly etched and the actor is seen ill at ease, it is Varun Dhawan who shines all the way, followed equally by Abhishek Banerji. Paalin Kabak also has his own lines and impresses in the film as a character from the North East who is vexed at being called a Chinese. Deepak Dobriyal, as Panda goes unrecognizable in a shaggy wig and acts as a bridge between the misguided city guys, and the people of the region who care for their environment and come up croppers.

There's also a delightful surprise at the end, which I do not want to reveal lest it serves as a spoiler. All said and done, I‘d say that, to sum up, the film that releases in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu is recommended to be best viewed in 3D, as it is a right blend of horror, comedy and a liberal dose of ‘howlarious’ entertainment, that also doles out pertinent message cautiously