A couple, Aditya (Dino Morea) and Sanjana (Bipasha Basu), try to save their failing marriage by going back to Ooty to recreate the magic that was once in their marriage where they got married. Settling in their farm home, Sanjana learns that a wandering ghost wants her attention. What does this ghost want? What is the raaz (secret)?
I suck! October is here. Halloween is almost over, and I'm here trying to hurry up and write this review for Raaz!! I've been meaning to do this but for some reason October has been quite a busy month for me (more like lazy!). I freaking love Raaz! Not only does it star my fave gal, Bips, but also I love horror films! Bollywood is not very successful in the horror film genre. Raaz is one of the few films that is modern, tasteful, enchanting, haunting, you name it! I do wish the climax was a bit different and felt it was rushed. But overall, not a disappointment at all! For me, I was happy to show my Hmong friends this movie since we love horror films and not only that but Bollywood can come out with a good horror film as well! With a good looking cast. (Remember we're shallow people) Raaz has been dubbed in Hmong too and is very popular.
Most of the movie is set in beautiful Ooty, south of India in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Sanjana is the lonely wife of business man Aditya. She yearns for her husband's affection and attention. What they used to have in their marriage is missing.
Raaz is actually Bipasha's break-through film. Sure she got the Best Female Debut from Filmfare for Ajnabee but it was Raaz that proved she has a place in Bollywood. Yes, Raaz is Bipasha's film all the way! I thought she was still slim in Raaz but realized that now she has lost so much weight!! Her face is much fuller in Raaz. Oh yeah, Bips' voice is dubbed in this film. I prefer her husky voice anyday! Well it is a Bhatt film, most of the stars (when they are newbies), their voices are dubbed -- look at Dino Morea, John Abraham, Udita Goswami, Aftab Shivdasani, even Rani Mukherjee!!!
Did you also notice in most horror films -- it does not matter what language it is, whether it's Hindi, Telugu, Chinese, Korean, Thai, English -- the main star is usually a female. IMO, men can not appear to be weak and be in charge. For example, it's okay for a female to run and scream but men should not do that -- they should be the one to protect the female. Plus most ghosts haunt you because (1) they want you to know something or (2) they want your help.
Too-busy-for-his-wife Aditya has a "raaz." He neglects her and doesn't realize it until she threatens to leave him. Trying to reconcile the love, he takes her back to Ooty where they fell in love and got married. However, many secrets are there as well.
The cutie-pie, half Italian-Indian Dino is not a great actor, I admit. Many people do not go and watch his movies for him. However, I do think he's gotten better over the years. Not only do I watch films just for him because he's good-looking, but I've been seeing progress in his acting overtime. Recently he's been in more multi-star films than solo films. Regardless he'll still have me as a fan to support him. :)
Professor Agni helps Sanjana find answers to why this ghost wants her. He is an expert in Vastu Shastra -- (taken from Wikipedia) deals with various aspects of designing and building living environments that are in harmony with the physical and metaphysical forces. Building practices based on limited interpretations of these principles are still sustained in parts of India. Though Vastu is conceptually similar to Feng Shui in that it also tries to harmonize the flow of energy (Also called life-force, and Prana in Sanskrit, similar to Chi in Chinese) through the house, it differs in the details, such as the exact directions in which various objects, rooms, materials etc are to be placed. Ashutosh Rana is awesome, like always. I've been of fan of his since I saw him in Dushman.
What I love about Priya is she is there for her friend, no matter what!! In Bollywood, you rarely see two girl friends have a lot of screen presense and has her friend's back!
She's been Sanjana's friend before their marriage and is still her friend. Without her support, Sanjana wouldn't be able to have a shoulder-to-cry on since her husband neglected her.
With Priya's support and friendship, Sanjana was able to deal with the ghostly situations. Although Priya's husband and Aditya work together, you see more bond with the females.
The actress who plays Priya is Shruti Ulfat. I looked her up and she has a very short filmography. It seems that she was in Aetbaar with Bips as well. She doesn't have a big role in that movie because I don't remember her!
But seems that she is in more Indian dramas than in films. I really like her and would like to see more of her in the future.
Since Raaz is a Bhatt film, of course, the movie is inspired by Hollywood. Not a big surprise! If you've seen What Lies Beneath with Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer, then you basically know what the "raaz" is. However, the climax is totally different. Raaz focuses more on marriage being a strong bond. The music rocks! Love it! One of my all-time favorites!
Song #1 - "Yeh Shehar Hai"
Aditya is too busy with his co-workers and ignore Sanjana.
Watch Below
Song #2 - "Tu Agnar Samne"
Memories of Aditya and Sanjana's marriage
Watch Below
Song #3 - "Jo Bhi Kasme"
Aditya tries to win back Sanjana's love with good memories
Watch Below
Song #4 - "Aap Ke Pyar Mein"
The truth comes out
Watch Below
Song #5 - "Kitna Pyara"
Sanjana leaves Aditya but he misses her
Watch Below
Okay, okay. Since this is suppose to be a Halloween post, I didn't scare you enough. No worries. More caps below.
Otty is beautiful but look at it in the horror phase.
Okay, did I get you yet? Here's a poltergeist scene.
Here's Sanjana being possess. Her eyes are defined very well too! Very different from lonely Sanjana.
The ghost in Sanjana
Sanjana sees the ghost -- the ghost reminds me of Carrie
Now, go watch this film! It really is good. The music makes it. The music fits perfectly at the right moment too!
You know what. This movie is so popular...there is a Raaz 2 coming out soon! However, it doesn't star Dino or Bips. It stars Emraan Hashmi and Kangana Raunat. Bips was rumored to be in it, but it was never confirmed. I checked out the trailer and it looks sooooo good!! Glad the storyline is different from the first part. Watch Below.
