Shaitaan

[spslf]

*Shaitaan*, a remake of the Gujarati horror film *Vash* (2023), follows Kabir (Ajay Devgn), his wife Jyoti (Jyothika), and their children, Jahnvi (Janki Bodiwala) and Dhruv (Anngad Raaj), as their peaceful retreat to a remote farmhouse spirals into chaos. Their lives are upended by Vanraj Kashyap (R. Madhavan), a sinister tantrik who manipulates Jahnvi’s will, turning her against her family. Vanraj’s ultimate goal is to sacrifice Jahnvi and other girls in his quest for power, forcing Kabir to fight for his daughter’s life.

Despite a disclaimer against promoting superstition, the film delves deeply into the tantrik theme, with Vanraj’s powers and motives presented without much context or credibility. The climax, involving mass hypnotism and sacrificial rituals, borders on the absurd, leaving viewers questioning the lack of depth in the antagonist's backstory.

Ajay Devgn brings gravitas to his role as a protective father, channeling shades of his *Drishyam* character while adding an emotional layer of vulnerability. Jyothika shines in her comeback to Hindi cinema, portraying a fierce and devoted mother with authenticity. Her chemistry with Devgn adds emotional heft to the narrative. Madhavan delivers an engaging performance as the villain, balancing menace and charisma, particularly in the film's intense first half. Janki Bodiwala impresses in her Hindi debut, capturing the audience’s empathy as the tormented Jahnvi.

While *Shaitaan* boasts strong performances and gripping psychological tension, its reliance on supernatural tropes and an unconvincing climax detract from its potential. As a psychological thriller, it’s engaging, but the execution falters in its attempt to marry horror with realism.