Review by: Faisal Saif
Aatma is a (Wannabe) Horror Film directed by Suparn Verma. Suparn Verma is the same director who made ‘Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena’ with Fardeen Khan, Koena Mitra and Feroz Khan. The film was a Copy/Rip-Off/Inspiration from Hollywood Movie ‘Con-Fidence’ which had Dustin Hoffman. He later made ‘Acid Factory’ with Fardeen Khan, Irrfan, Danny Dengzongpa and other big star-cast. Acid Factory was again a Copy/Rip-Off/Inspiration of Jason Statham’s ‘The Unknown’. Aatma is his third film as a Director.
Suparn Verma also spread a News through his PR Machinery (While shooting ‘Aatma’) that he has restricted the last 10 Pages of his film’s script to the film’s cast and crew members just to maintain the curiosity of the “Tight-Suspense” in the film. After watching the film, Aatma’s script should have been restricted from the Audience.
The film centres around one-time married couple Abhay (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) and Maya (Bipasha Basu) as they battle for their child Nia’s love. It’s as much about a father’s undying love for his daughter and it is about a mother’s unwillingness to make a sacrifice. Even though Maya silently suffers abuses from her psycho husband, she manages to cut him off legally but struggles to get rid of his devilish spirit. The possessive father who goes about punishing anyone and everyone and who taunts or punishes or teases his little girl. Also, The merciless husband who tortures his wife but stops only when he thinks his actions might have woken up his sleeping daughter.
The film only and only works for the performances of Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Bipasha Basu. And trust me, They both have carried this Script-less, Entertain-less film on their shoulders. Doyel Dhawan as the daughter Nia is very cute. Rest of the cast which includes polished actors such as Darshan Jariwala and Shernaz Patel acted well.
The film also reminded me of Jaya Pradha and Jeetendra starrer ‘Maa‘ (1992) at many points. The only change in Aatma, It’s the father who comes back for her daughter with his undying love for her.
Suparn Verma once again shows his weakness in an unconventional and abrupt climax making this horror trip rather uninspiring and an Old wine in a new (Wannabe) bottle. Cinematography is good and so is the background score.
Aatma is a film which is a waste of your time and energy. Please take a small ‘Holiday Vacation’ instead of entering a Cinema Hall to watch this one.
Starring: Bipasha Basu, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Darshan Jariwala, Doyel Dhawan, Shernaz Patel
Directed by: Suparn Verma
Ratings: 1.5/5
