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Bhediya movie review: Varun Dhawan excels in a finely balanced horror comedy with astounding special effects
What: Bhediya – Varun Dhawan is in top form in this finely balanced true blue werewolf entertainer that blends horror and comedy in perfect proportion and pumps it with astounding special effects/vfx for a hauntingly howling entertainer.
Bhediya movie synopsis
The basic premise of writer Niren Bhatt is simple based on the formulaic werewolf genre - man turns into a wolf. The movie opens with a father (Sharad Kelkar) telling a folklore about a wolf to his daughter.
The movie then cuts to Delhi based Bhaskar (Varun Dhawan) a small time road contractor working for a well placed Bagga (Saurabh Shukla). Varun has cracked a big contract to construct a road through the jungle in Ziro – a dense forest area in Arunachal Pradesh.
Bhaskar and his friend/cousin Janardan (Abhishek Banerjee) reach Ziro. Jomin (Paalin Kabaak) a localite has been assigned to look after the daily routine requirements of Bhaskar and Janardhan.
To initiate the road contract work, Bhaskar has to get the approval of the forest authorities, government officials and most important the local inhabitant/tribal’s of the area from where the road construction will begin.
Panda (Deepak Dobriyal), has been assigned to help Bhaskar in negotiating with the village locals and government authorities.
On a full moon day, Bhaskar gets attacked by a wolf. Fearing backlash from the tribal villagers which may cause danger to the road construction project, Jomin takes Bhaskar to a veterinary doctor Anika (Kriti Sanon). Anika does the treatment to the best of her knowledge.
Suddenly from very next day, strange/weird, scary and funny things starts happening with Bhaskar.
Ziro gets haunted by the fear of the dreaded ‘vishanoo’ – a deadly wolf is on the prowl.
From the incredible classic The Wolf Man (1941) starring Lon Chaney Jr, that can give goose bumps to anyone in any era to its progenitor Werewolf of London (1935) to the amazing Jack Nicholson starrer Wolf (1994). To those Twilight sagas, to Hugh Jackman’s The Wolverine, to the amazing Werewolf Within to the brilliant Ginger Snaps to the full on masala Ramsay’s Jaani Dushman ( Sanjeev Kumar as the human turning into a creature out of the half a dozen top billed stars of those era). Not to forget Mahesh Bhatt’s Junoon that saw Rahul Roy turning into a tiger or the Malayalam Wolf (1921) by Shaji Azeez. Werewolf /creature horror is a genre that gives goose bumps by its sheer mention.
Stree and Bala fame Amar Kaushik who has a unique knack in his sense for comedy and Niren Bhatt's smartly structured screenplay that balances the quirk and scares so marvelously that unpleasant toilet humour involving sh** doesn’t make you howl in disgust but smile gleefully.
A perfect balance of comedy (at times parody) and horror with a message for loving nature and protecting environment makes Bhediya a stand out, a cut above.
The humour thanks to the amazing lines by Niren Bhatt given to Abhishek Bannerjee (should thank his luck) strikes the chord to the core.
The scary werewolf portion is shot brilliantly and its sheer goose bumps. The transformation of Varun Dhawan is terrific and with the help of 3D glasses the impact multiplies. The fans of Varun Dhawan and the genre are in for a tremendous treat. Bhediya is paisa vasool right from the word go. Dhamaal.
And the climax. It’s scary, pulse rising and emotional.
Bhediya is a complete packet/bouquet of entertainment that comes with a message.
Varun Dhawan gives it all he has. Varun is an entertainer but he is also a fine actor. After Badlapur, October, Bhediya is his best and here he gets a chance to showcase varied emotions and he excels.
Kriti Sanon looks fabulous as veterinary doctor Anika (less hair more charm). Kriti is amazingly natural and spontaneous.
If Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon are the milk and tea leaves, Abhishek Banerjee is the adrak that enhances and captivates the proceedings with his unique humour.
Deepak Dobriyal delivers an amazing performance once again.
Paalin Kabak is amazing.
Madang Pai the actor who plays the Ojha is remarkable.
Sharad Kelkar is fine.
Technicalities
MPC's VFX deserves a special pat on its back. Incredible. I don,t remember seeing something like this from Bollywood on big screen.
A special shout for Jishnu Bhatacharjee's cinematography is a must. Mind blowing. What a treat.
Editing by Sanyukta Kaza is crisp. Mayur Sharma and Apurwa Sondhi's production design is fantastic. Sheetal Iqbal Sharma's costumes are apt. Darrell Mclean and Riyaz - Habib's action is clap worthy.
Music
Sachin-Jigar's music is functional but moves along and entertains. 'Jungle Mein Kaand' is peppy. I enjoyed 'Baaki Sab Theek'.
'Apna Bana Le Piya' was beautiful but was not properly established. Special mention for the use of 'Aayega Aayega' is a must. Sachin-Jigar's background score is as par the doctors ordered.
Flaws
Varun Dhawan ki back story kya hai…. What was Saurabh Shukla (though amazing) doing here. This could have been done by any one yaar. Jungle, creature, tribal, development, a passing deja vu of the incredible Kantara crossed my mind. A divine influence in ‘vishanoo’ folklore could have created further wonders. And Mithun Dada se kya dushmani hai bhai.
Bhediya is a damn good hauntingly howling horror comedy that sets high standards in Bollywood werewolf/creature feature filmmaking that sees Varun Dhawan in top form, Kriti Sanon flaunting extra charm and Abhishek Banerjee making you laugh and smile with ease.
A child born from life & fed by cinema. A filmi keeda from child & a film journalist for the last fifteen years. a father, seeker, foodie who loves crooning bollywood melodies twitter.com/cineblues More By vishal verma