IMDb RATING
2.9/10
1.9K
YOUR RATING
Based on the Far Eastern myth of the snake woman who is able to take on human form.Based on the Far Eastern myth of the snake woman who is able to take on human form.Based on the Far Eastern myth of the snake woman who is able to take on human form.
- Awards
- 1 win
Mahmoud Babai
- Snake Charmer
- (as Mahmood Babai)
- …
Parvez Khan
- Guard 4
- (as Parvez Fazal Khan)
Javed Rizvi
- Man trying to rape Nagin
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJennifer Lynch disowned the film after it was 'taken away' from her in the editing stages; according to her the film that she perceived and wanted to be made as a love story eventually took the shape of a horror film after the producers took creative control of it.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Shruti Hassan: Beyond the Snake (2010)
Featured review
Grisly, but not scary, with flashes of brilliance
I was interested in checking out 2010's "Hisss" mainly because it's an East Indian horror production ("Bollywood") and I've never seen an Indian horror flick. The plot has to do with a Hindu snake god coming to life in the form of a beautiful Indian woman (Mallika Sherawat) and preying upon the dastardly inhabitants of the slum city. A detective tries to solve the case (Irrfan Khan).
As noted in my title blurb, this is a gruesome movie but it's not really scary, at least not to me. But that doesn't mean it doesn't have points of interest. The first act features a dynamic sequence at a painting festival on the streets and it's so energetic and creative that it possesses a "Wow" factor, sort of like the innovative dancing scenes in "The Day the Fish Came out" (1967). Later there's a cool chase thru the village (on foot) between the snake woman and a snake charmer with the detective tagging along. There are some other flashes of genius.
Of course Mallika Sherawat is a gorgeous woman, Indian or otherwise, and she's featured in numerous stages of dress or undress, but it's Maya Gupta, as the detective's wife, whose beauty truly shines here, and she's fully clothed at all times (what's that tell ya?).
The film was shot in various areas of India (West coast, East coast, South-Central, etc.) and is a visual feast of India in all its glory or disgrace. The movie's interesting in this regard.
Another highlight is the score & soundtrack. Take, for instance, the compelling and rockin' score during the foot chase.
I also thought the effects were pretty well done. For instance, when the snake woman morphs into a half-snake, half-woman monster at the end it brought to mind Lin Carter's Thongor comics from the early 70s.
Unfortunately, the story's not all that compelling despite the occasional bursts of brilliance. It's also too gruesome for my tastes -- loads of gore and worse -- albeit nothing I can't handle. Plus the detective's stepmother is really annoying (but maybe that's the point).
The film runs 98 minutes.
GRADE: B-
As noted in my title blurb, this is a gruesome movie but it's not really scary, at least not to me. But that doesn't mean it doesn't have points of interest. The first act features a dynamic sequence at a painting festival on the streets and it's so energetic and creative that it possesses a "Wow" factor, sort of like the innovative dancing scenes in "The Day the Fish Came out" (1967). Later there's a cool chase thru the village (on foot) between the snake woman and a snake charmer with the detective tagging along. There are some other flashes of genius.
Of course Mallika Sherawat is a gorgeous woman, Indian or otherwise, and she's featured in numerous stages of dress or undress, but it's Maya Gupta, as the detective's wife, whose beauty truly shines here, and she's fully clothed at all times (what's that tell ya?).
The film was shot in various areas of India (West coast, East coast, South-Central, etc.) and is a visual feast of India in all its glory or disgrace. The movie's interesting in this regard.
Another highlight is the score & soundtrack. Take, for instance, the compelling and rockin' score during the foot chase.
I also thought the effects were pretty well done. For instance, when the snake woman morphs into a half-snake, half-woman monster at the end it brought to mind Lin Carter's Thongor comics from the early 70s.
Unfortunately, the story's not all that compelling despite the occasional bursts of brilliance. It's also too gruesome for my tastes -- loads of gore and worse -- albeit nothing I can't handle. Plus the detective's stepmother is really annoying (but maybe that's the point).
The film runs 98 minutes.
GRADE: B-
helpful•41
- Wuchakk
- Sep 27, 2013
- How long is Hisss?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Nagin: The Snake Woman
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $6,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $1,591,841
- Runtime1 hour 38 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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