Review of Dahshat

In spite of the cheesy special effects and some over the top histrionics, I found this movie to be quite engaging and entertaining in its entirety. I judge a movie on two merits---- its ability to entertain, and its potential to educate, and I felt "Dahshat" delivered on both counts. It is the Gothic story of a scientist/doctor obsessed with acquiring animal traits and powers, ending in tragic and disastrous consequences. I would commend the famous Ramsay Brothers on writing, directing and producing movies that were off the beaten path, and for charting new and unexplored territories in terms of Hindi cinema. The atmosphere, lighting,outdoors shots and palatial mansions depicted as well as the vintage cars all contributed to the eerie and disturbingly claustrophobic feel that perfectly complemented the script. I mean, we get to see Om Shivpuri handle an enormous LIVE BAT in his hands and dip it in some sort of a solution, along with myriad shots of monitor lizards, owls, sloths, venomous snakes and boas, and what appeared o be a very sad and demented lemur nailed to a wall! That in itself is worth the price of the ticket! I cannot recall a single movie, Hindi or Hollywood or otherwise, where live animals were used for these graphic experiments depicted. It certainly goes to the director and producer's credit to have incorporated such realism in the movie. The transformation sequences regarding Dr. Vishal were quite good too. Honestly, some of the recent movies have more cheesy graphics than what Ramsay Brothers portrayed back in the early 80s! It was a pleasure to see a slim and fit Indian heroine for once in Sarika, a rare commodity in the long line of overweight/obese Indian heroines in skimpy outfits showing more blubber than skin. Not a bad watch for some light entertainment and re-visiting the nostalgic Hindi Gothic horror of the early 80s.