Trigger warning: Mention of sexual abuse/violence.
Vikram Bhatt’s Horror-Verse seems to be long dead and resting, no longer in demand as it once was in the early to mid-2000s. And while the filmmaker has been running low on creativity of late, some of his previous filmography such as “Haunted 3D” are worth a revisit. So far this actually seems to be the running theme of the reviews I’m churning out for Halfway to Halloween. Also, before we get this review underway, the movie’s title is derived from it being the first Indian stereoscopic 3D horror film. So, there’s that out of the way
The movie opens in on Rehan (Mahaakshay Chakraborty), a realtor on his way to Glen Manor to close a deal. However, he soon realises something amiss at the picturesque hillside mansion. It’s not haunted by a singular phantom, but by two. He later discovers a suicide note from the previous owner, a young lady named Meera (Tia Bajpai), who reveals herself to be one of the restless ghosts held captive in her own home by the sinister spirit of her perverted piano teacher Iyer (an unnerving Arif Zakaria). Thus, she’s forced to relive and endure sexual assault at his hands long after her demise.
Features Bhatt’s Usual Trademarks
“Haunted 3D” can be likened to Tamil filmmaker Mysskin’s “Pisaasu” (2014), where romance is central and the core of the storyline with horror treated as an afterthought. Yet Bhatt’s film is instead a tale of destiny, the power of love and the interconnection of body and soul, with a focus on humanity. This is portrayed via Rehan’s (Mimoh Chakraborty’s) insistence on rescuing a woman he’s never met, through whose lifetime he’s never even lived, from the morbid fate that awaits her. He shares Meera’s mental torment and is also visibly shaken by the same.
Since it is a Vikram Bhatt outing, “Haunted 3D” features the director’s trademarks. These include casting photogenic novice actors who double as playback singers (the talented Tia Bajpai lending her voice to the haunting melody “Sau Baras”) as well as bizarre, unorthodox, and inexplicable methods of time travel. An occurrence of this is a homeless man who blows hookah smoke into Rehan’s face to transport him to the 1930s (don’t question it) as well as the usual exorcisms, religious imagery, possessed maids and morbid decapitations in the manner of “The Haunting” remake.
Romance that Fights the Film’s Real Horror
However, all the clichéd B-grade horror elements and tropes pale in comparison to the real terror: Meera is entrapped in a time loop and raped over and over by her abuser, which is difficult to stomach. Her inability to escape even 80 years after her demise is a thought that’s horrifying in itself. Thus, with such an unsettling concept, there’s no need for jump scares, though the movie does force a few uninspired ones into its climax. The sound effects such as piano music wafting and echoing through the manor, Meera’s chilling shrieks, and Iyer’s heavy lustful breathing are enough to send shivers down the spine. Some major character revelations are also saved for last.
While the special effects feel dated, the prosthetics and makeup department, on the contrary, deserve a raise. It also gets extra points for colour grading.
In her debut role, Tia Bajpai is a good fit as the damsel in distress Meera, even though the first half of the movie only requires her to mostly scream until her lungs hurt (a basic requisite for most leading ladies in a Vikram Bhatt horror feature). Yet Bajpai is charming and simultaneously evokes sympathy for the character’s ordeal.
Gained Cult Status of Late
The movie also served as a pivotal turning point for co-star Mahaakshay, especially after his disastrous debut in “Jimmy.” He is somewhat stilted in his second outing, but shares a tender chemistry with Bajpai in the intimate/emotional portions. Wholesome moments of Rehan playfully flirting or breaking into dance to cheer up the distressed Meera stand out, and an instance of him explaining modern technology to the clueless Meera evoked a chuckle from me. It serves as a break from the otherwise intense proceedings. The beautiful compositions by Chirraantan Bhatt and memorable background score pair well with the gothic aesthetics and further elevate the love story that gradually develops between the star-crossed pair.
If you’re expecting a straight horror flick, then this movie might disappoint due to the romance overpowering the jump scares. It drags towards the final act and features a fair share of imperfections. Yet ultimately movies like “Haunted 3D” and “Shaapit” remind you that once upon a time Vikram Bhatt’s movies boasted of heart and endings that healed the soul rather than simply setting up a spate of never-ending franchises. If you’re planning on a Bollywood horror marathon, “Haunted 3D” is an essential since it’s gained cult status of late. And while it isn’t the scariest movie in existence, it conveys a lovely message: that a miserable fate can certainly be thwarted through the powerful actions of a determined, pure, and selfless soul.
“Haunted 3D” is available on Youtube.
