Sa8230; Sasucha

It is a bold attempt for Kishore Pandurang Belekar to make his directorial debut with a horror film.

Karthik and Ashwini get married much against the wishes of his father Jayantrao. The young couple then moves into a new house built by Karthik. This house is just opposite the old one built by Jayantrao and his wife Yamuna. Karthik was born in this house. After Yamunas death,Jayantrao leaves for Pune but the house is never locked.

After three years of marriage,strange things start happening in the old house and Ashwini is the only one who notices it. She starts seeing wierd dreams. One day she hears a strange noise in the old house and goes there to find a snake. Another time she finds smoke coming out. Empty liquor bottles are also found one day. A Vastu expert warns her of spirits and advises that the house be demolished. He tells Ashwini that she cannot conceive till the spirits are roaming in the empty old house. He even scares her by saying that there will be a death soon.

Karthik decides to get one of his workers from the factory to reside in the old house. Suguna and her farmer husband start living there. They have been married for six years but it is only after coming to that house,Suguna conceives. Ashwini is happy but she is still chased by the dreams. Now she sets on her journey to find answers.

One wonders if people today are interested in superstitions. This film is full of them but unlike any horror film,this one is not supported by special effects. How convincing is it that the unfulfilled wishes of a dead mother would affect her son who has been her life?

Sunil Barve plays Karthik,an educated guy who does not support the tales told by his wife and thinks practically. He has done a good job of a balanced guy who loves both his wife and father. Sonali Kulkarni as Ashwini looks pretty. But one does not feel for her even when she is struggling to solve the mystery. Vinay Apte as Jayantrao is okay. Shubhangi Gokhale is the mother-in-law who mostly conveys her desires through her painting on the wall.

It is a bold attempt for Kishore Pandurang Belekar to make his directorial debut with a horror film. There are quite a few flaws but the effort to make such a film has to be applauded for a first-timer. Strangely there is nothing scary in this horror film. Actually there seems to be a confusion as to whether the film is a suspense story or a paranormal thriller.

Rating: Two stars: One for the performances of the lead pair and one for the story and direction.