Ghost Stories review and release live updates: Ghost Stories is streaming on Netflix.
Much-awaited horror anthology Ghost Stories is finally out on Netflix.
Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee and Anurag Kashyap, who have earlier collaborated on Bombay Talkies and Lust Stories, try their hands at the horror genre this time around.
Earlier, Karan Johar teased that his segment might revolve around a “big fat wedding”, while Zoya’s film will deal with “innocent kindergarten rhymes”. “Bird songs don’t sound sweet anymore,” said Anurag. Dibakar added, “Strange fascination and craving for certain kind of food.”
While Karan’s short film stars Mrunal Thakur in the lead role and Anurag Kashyap’s segment stars Sobhita Dhulipala, who has worked with him in Raman Raghav 2.0. Zoya Akhtar’s film sees Janhvi Kapoor as the lead along with Surekha Sikri.
Apart from them, Ghost Stories also stars Avinash Tiwary, Gulshan Devaiah, Sukant Goel, Kusha Kapila, Vijay Varma and Pavail Gulati.
Highlights
Indian Express critic Shubhra Gupta rated Netflix’s latest anthology series, Ghost Stories, 2 stars out of 5. In her review, she wrote, “Atmospherics-wise, all four segments come off fine. Each instantly creates a specific world, and we get drawn in. But surprise-wise, that jump-start of shock-and-startle, Ghost Stories doesn’t score high, and that’s where it falters: those who familiar with genre movies, or have seen enough horror/supernatural/critters will pretty much guess where things are headed to.”
Read More | Ghost Stories review: Where are the scares?
“#GhostStories very fine attempt, refreshing to watch. Dibakar sir jz nailed it”, posted user @iamsaikrishna24 on Twitter.
In an exclusive conversation with indianexpress.com, Gulshan Devaiah opened up on the challenges of performing under a getup. “It was really challenging. Without getting into much detail, this was a very physical performance, unlike what I have done earlier. I would want the audience to feel and enjoy the performance. As for me, it was mentally and physically very draining. I would be exhausted by the end of the day, and question myself why did I even agree to do it. But at the end of the shoot, I was actually proud of myself. It was difficult and I did suffer a lot, but I have a sense of pride that I went through all of it,” shared the Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela actor.
Read More | Gulshan Devaiah on Ghost Stories: It was a very physical performance
“First film of the year! Saw #GhostStories Dibakar Banerjee's short film is by far the best & exiting out of the four! Thalaivan @anuragkashyap72 film was super interesting & @sobhitaD was brilliant in it! Zoya Akthar's film was decent & Karan should stick to his cheesy Romantics,” tweeted user @arun661.
User @being_shevaal took to Twitter to post, “#GhostStories the short by #KaranJohar sets a great tone, the house and its interiors are beautiful. The story is predictable, The suspense built too late in this short for it to develop. The actors share great screen chemistry and are wonderful together.”
Indian Express critic Shubhra Gupta rated Netflix’s latest anthology series, Ghost Stories, 2 stars out of 5. In her review, she wrote, “Atmospherics-wise, all four segments come off fine. Each instantly creates a specific world, and we get drawn in. But surprise-wise, that jump-start of shock-and-startle, Ghost Stories doesn’t score high, and that’s where it falters: those who familiar with genre movies, or have seen enough horror/supernatural/critters will pretty much guess where things are headed to.”
Read more | Ghost Stories review: Where are the scares?
One of the directors of Ghost Stories, Anurag Kashyap, tweeted, “Happy new year to all.. #Ghoststories is streaming now on @NetflixIndia . Make sure you watch it with really good (noise cancelling) headphones.”
“I had so many expectations from #GhostStories but was so disappointed. The stories didn't have any shock value!”, tweeted user @spnfan2005.
User @Musicaraj rated Ghost Stories 2.5 stars out of 5. “#zoyaakhtar - starts off well, but an underwhelming climax #AnuragKashyap - starts off sweet, ends the creepiest #dibakerbanerjee - starts off brilliant, ends okayy not bad #KaranJohar - average-ish #GhostStories 2.5/5,” she added.
“Two stories down (#ZoyaAkhtar & #AnuragKashyap) and didn't feel any out-of-the-box "ghost" in #GhostStories. Not a horror genre fan but this one has been very mediocre so far. Next up, can #DibakarBanerjee & #KaranJohar's shorts balance out the expectations? I really hope so!”, tweeted user @mimansashekhar
In this exclusive video by indianexpress.com, Zoya, Janhvi and Vijay talk about working on Ghost Stories. They also share their spooky experiences.
Watch here:
User @SahilDSethi took to Twitter to post, “Naye saal ki start hi Darr ke sath huyi hai @anuragkashyap7 #DibakarBanerjee #ZoyaAkhtar @karanjohar #GhostStories Full of Mystery, Engaging Storyline, Loved it, Iska sequel jaroor Banta hai @NetflixIndia.”
“Only dibakar Banerjee shines in @NetflixIndia's ghost stories others were terrible at it. If you didn't have good story then you should have adapted from a book. I can't believe these are bollywoods lead directors #ghoststories #Bollywood #happynewyear2020 #2020NewYear,” posted user @suraj2475.
User @nitinshriwas88 shared via Twitter, “So far I have seen two stories of #GhostStories on @NetflixIndia ,one by Zoya Akhtar and another by @anuragkashyap72 .Very interesting aspect of storytelling. The most important aspect is that they aren't very cliche ghost scripts.”
In an exclusive chat with indianexpress.com, Anurag Kashyap spoke about his short film that features Sobhita Dhulipala in the lead role. He said, “It’s about a woman who goes through a miscarriage and is trying to conceive again. There’s a lot of fear and anxiety in the story. There is a lot more which you will know once you watch the film. The story came from Isha Luthra, and the credit must go to her. She wrote this when she was just 22, and really surprised me with her talent.”
Read More | I enjoyed making Ghost Stories: Anurag Kashyap
“#GhostStories a colossal disappointment. Only Dibakar Banerjee's movie I liked. #ZoyaAkhtar's had premise but faltered at the end. Rest two quite abysmal. @NetflixIndia needs to work on its content. #Netflix,” user @vroy38 tweeted.
User @ExMachina1196 took to Twitter to post, “As expected #GhostStories was shit; it's always Dibaker making something good out of this recurring series of anthologies that no one asked for, since 2013. The story is same here, too. When these makers can't even make original shorts, it's too high to expect from their features.”
“Ghost stories is like a perfect recipe to ruin your New Year's Eve. None of the stories are good or even watchable. Highly disappointing. Would rather recommend peeps to watch Bombay talkies 2013, a worth watching anthology #GhostStories”, shared one user @mayanksledger on Twitter.
User @breathemovies tweeted, “#GhostStories on #netflix is underwhelming! While Zoya and Karan ‘s storylines were conventional and kinda predictable, Anurag and Dibaker’s unconventional storytelling failed to impress.”
“#GhostStories is ridiculous... Not even a single story stands out... No element of horror at all... @anuragkashyap72 ‘s story is the worst !! Disappointed @sobhitaD @karanjohar #ZoyaAkhtar,” user @DhruveshShahXXX posted.
“#GhostStories has been seen. It's not your typical horror film. Zoya Akhtar can make even Jhanvi Kapoor act. Her story with Jhanvi & Surekha Sikri started off well but ending was a bit underwhelming @anuragkashyap72's story was interesting but I couldn't understand it completely,” tweeted user @Biorahul.
In an exclusive chat with indianexpress.com, Janhvi spoke about working with Zoya Akhtar and her segment in Ghost Stories. She said, “It was really interesting to be a part of the film. However, the biggest takeaway for me was that I was getting to work with Zoya. All my energies and focus was towards that. It is a new space and genre for me.”
Read more | Janhvi Kapoor: Working with Zoya Akhtar was my biggest takeaway from Ghost Stories
User @SunishthGoyal shared on Twitter, “@NetflixIndia pleaseeeee invest more on scripts than actors or big names for a change. I was really looking forward to be scared but it was a big bust. Also,even if there's a contract, add a failsafe mediocrity/eww clause to not air everything. #GhostStories #Drive #BardOfBlood.”
“A colossal disappointment to start the new year and the decade! #GhostStories on @NetflixIndia is not a horror but a horrible movie! Avoid!#BollywoodMakesAnotherDisaster #GhostStoriesSucks,” posted user @AshwathDesai on Twitter.
User @Wolfy_999 tweeted, “Just watched #GhostStories. It's for a reason KJ's short is the last one in the series. It's embarrassingly bad. The best ones were from - Zoya & Dibankar. Okay fare - @anuragkashyap72. Really Bad - @karanjohar. Also, the child actors in this series were surprisingly bad.”
User @SinhaSomesh rated Ghost Stories 3 stars out of 5. He tweeted, “#FinalVerdict: CHILLING! Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️@RSVPMovies' #GhostStories may not be the eeriest experience, but tales from #ZoyaAkhtar, #DibakarBanerjee, @karanjohar and @anuragkashyap72 are sure to send a shudder down your vertebrae. Go, get ready to be spooked on @netflixindia!”
“Dibakar Banerjee definitely won #GhostStories . What a chilling portrayal of India's current socio-political climate! Too real to call it fiction!”, posted user @Hitezsh1 on Twitter.
A user @ShreyasS_ posted on Twitter, “Finished #GhostStories Anurag's & Dibakar's were fully engaging with the latter's one being the best for me while Anurag's story - I'm still confused a bit...Too creepy... Zoya's was good but predictable while KJo's one was the least engaging for me… Decent overall…”
“Directors #ZoyaAkhtar, #DibakarBanerjee, @karanjohar and @anuragkashyap72 pursue the journey adroitly. Producer @RSVPMovies' #GhostStories is suitably atmospheric, full of character and sensibly spine-chilling. It reliesmon a well-told tale without making it appear ludicrous.” shared user @SinhaSomesh on Twitter.
@Sachinovic tweeted, "Ghost stories was okay, but WTF is the endings? More like directors showing off their horror movie direction skills. #GhostStories #Netflix."