Dobaara: See Your Evil

Dobaara: See Your Evil is an exemplary chilling horror tale intertwined with the certain level of profoundness and emotional depth that leaves the audiences on the edge of their seats. One of the few contemporary horrors to come out of Bollywood, this 2017 film is directed by prominent filmmaker Prawaal Raman and stars a high-powered cast, including Adil Hussain, Huma Qureshi, and Madalina Bellariu Ion.

Dobaara: See Your Evil is a unique film for Bollywood standards, one that takes conspicuous inspiration from Hollywood horror aesthetics but is distinctly indigenous in its essence. The story revolves around a brother-sister duo - Kabir (played by Adil Hussain) and Natasha Merchant (played by Huma Qureshi). The story's supernatural elements center around an antique mirror with an ominous past, which the siblings believe is responsible for the tragic demise of their parents.

The plot swings between the past and present, maintaining a thrilling pace that keeps the audience engaged and guessing. The film explores the emotional and psychological toll the trauma takes on the siblings. It formulates a query – is the mirror genuinely haunted, or are the siblings dealing with unreconciled guilt and psychological issues stemming from their childhood tragedy?

Adil Hussain convincingly essays Kabir Merchant, with his strong acting chops coming to the fore as he effortlessly oscillates between the scared child and tormented adult. Huma Qureshi as Natasha Merchant delivers a passionate performance, being the one most affected by the past events. Her character is the driving force of the narrative, the one most bent on seeking revenge from the evil forces and putting an end to the mayhem.

Romanian actress Madalina Bellariu Ion takes on the role of Anna, a key character who plays an essential role in unfolding the mystery, mesmerizing the audience with her screen presence. Other performances that add value to the film's narrative include Lisa Ray and Saqib Saleem, in the roles of the siblings' parents.

Aesthetically, Dobaara: See Your Evil stands out as one of the well-executed horror films in Bollywood. Acclaimed cinematographer Anuj Dhawan utilises the techniques of light and shadow to weave a visual narrative that enhances the spooky overtures of the story effectively. The production design subtly incorporates elements that lend a gloomy, menacing atmosphere to the screen, further intensifying the horror quotient.

The soundtrack of Dobaara: See Your Evil underscores the chilling narrative with tunes that range from eerie to soulful, amplifying the film's dramatic moments and adding depth to the characters' emotional turmoil. The direction of Prawaal Raman stitches all these elements seamlessly, creating an immersive horror experience that strikes at the deepest fears and insecurities of the viewers.

The film is an official adaptation of the widely acclaimed 2013 Hollywood horror film - "Oculus." However, the remake retains its own identity by placing the conventional horror trope of a haunted object within Indian cultural contexts and grounding the narrative in the siblings' emotional journey.

Dobaara: See Your Evil is a horror film that stands out in the crowd of conventional Bollywood horror films. It pushes the boundaries of the genre by integrating the supernatural with the psychological, and the thriller with the drama. Its deeply unsettling yet emotional narrative takes the audience through a rollercoaster of chills and feelings. It’s a worthy watch for fans of intelligent horror films and those looking for a Bollywood film that dares to tread the less trodden path in the genre.