Bhoothnath Movie Review

Banner: B R Films

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Juhi Chawla Shahrukh Khan, Aman Siddiqui, Priyanshu Chatterjee

Direction: Vivek Sharma

Production: Ravi Chopra

In Nath Villa, situated in Goa, there lives the spirit of the owner who frightens away anyone who comes to live there. However, the ghost meets his match in a kid who befriends him and even makes him doubt whether he really is a bhoot!

Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla move to Goa after SRK gets an official transfer. With them is their naughty son Banku (Aman Siddiqui). As SRK has to report for duty the next day, it's left to Juhi to get the bungalow in order. But no one is willing to work in this house, as tales of it being haunted is folklore in Goa. In his quest to frighten the family away Bhoothnath (Amitabh Bachchan) fails, and instead falls in love with Banku and the two are soon inseparable.

Bhoothnath teaches Banku that life is not magic, but lots of hard work. He follows him to school for some hilarious episodes. Juhi is rattled with Banku's constant chatter about his 'Angel Friend'. Banku then requests his friend to meet his mother. The story then unfolds. Bhoothnath is Kailash Nath, the owner of the bungalow, 'Nath Villa'. He sends his son to America for further studies who returns only for his mother's funeral. He also tries to sell the bungalow. Kailash Nath is not interested. For him, his house is a treasure of memories. Unable to get his way, the son leaves for the US with his wife and kid. In trying to stop them, Kailash Nath falls down the stairs and dies. His spirit continues to reside in the bungalow.

This film is perfectly timed. With the holiday season well into its second month, it's sure to find a huge audience with kids tagging their parents along.

It's your normal, ordinary drama that we see on screen, but credit to the makers for adding an interesting twist in the form of a ghost with loads of special effects. Amitabh as Bhootnath is scary at first. He portrays well his transformation; from scary to lovable. His yearning for being with his son is well enacted which traps him in the house as a ghost.

Aman as Banku is likeable. Comparisons are likely to be made with TAARE ZAMEEN PAR star Darsheel Safary. To be fair to Aman, he does a decent job. Juhi Chawla plays her sweet self yet again and Shah Rukh Khan in a guest appearance adds his special touch to the proceedings.

Music is where the makers could have scored heavily, peppering the film with peppy numbers. Sadly, it fails to pass muster. They make up in special effects though. There is one particular scene, when Kailash Nath falls off the steps and runs out of the house after his son. When he comes back in, he is in for a shock because he realizes he has just died. You can't help but think of the Demi Moore-Patrick Swayze starrer GHOST. Also there is one particular scene when Banku falls off the steps and he is rushed to Holy Spirit Hospital. This one is in Mumbai! Another sore point is the sudden disappearance of Rajpal Yadav who plays Anthony the drunk. There is no link to his sudden absence on screen.

On the whole, BHOOTHNATH is a well-told story that has all it takes to appeal to kids and kids at heart, besides striking a chord with the families. Has the merits and potential to end the dry spell at the box-office.

Verdict: BHOOTNATH will have lots of kids for company.

Rating: 4 stars on 5