Review of 'Pari: Not a Fairy Tale'.

PARI is the realistic version of all the Bollywood horror movies (of the recent years) combined together. Anushka jumps/flies, screams, almost eats a dog; does everything that we have already seen in the horrendous Vikram Bhatt movies that comes out annually. However there's something in the treatment of the material in hand that makes Pari stand out from the rest. There is an undefinable sense of realism in the film despite dealing with a subject matter that is evidently a mixture of horror, fantasy and folk legends.

As the title itself suggests: 'PARI: Not a Fairy Tale' but 'Pari' here means an evil child - the child of the devil. That's all I am giving away about the film, so those who haven't watched the film yet, this review is spoiler free (Well, almost). 

Now coming to the big question, 'Does the film scares the day lights out of you?' The answer is - no, it doesn't. So does it mean that the film is a failed cause? Well that depends on how you perceive it. For me the film works because it humanizes a non-human entity and still maintains a clear distinction between good and bad. The ghost/antagonist/Anushka Sharma (whatever you wanna call it) is not a supernatural being with otherworldly powers but she is vulnerable, gets hurt, have feelings and falls in love with her human counterpart (Parambrata Chattopadhyay). In a very cleverly written scene she uses an ear-phone as a shield against Godly chants/mantras that are uttered to render her defenseless. Anushka Sharma is a revelation in the titular role. Without her this film would have been a total failure. Kudos to her for consciously choosing to spearhead projects (as a producer) that are different and are female centric (as cliched as it may sound). Her character in the film is no 'Plain Pari', as she is strong enough to take revenge upon a man for beating up her 'lover' but at  the same time practical and cautious enough to fear those hunting for her. She puts a human face to a character that is evil by birth but not by choice.

Fortunately or unfortunately 'Pari' doesn't quench your thirst of watching a solid horror movie with lots of jump scares but it does make you think about her origin, her mission and her significance. 'Pari' is a way forward as far as horror movies in Bollywood is concerned. Like her previous home productions, 'Pari' is heavy on content but it leaves you desiring for more as far as execution and effect is concerned.

David Lagachu.
lagachu.david63@gmail.com
8011770756.