Cast: Ahsaas Channa, Sudeep, Amruta Khanvilkar, Jyoti Subhash, Zakir Hussain, Ashwini Kalsekar Director: Ram Gopal Varma Producer: Azam Khan Music: Amar Mohile

Most people go to cinema for pure entertainment. And in between there are some who cherish cinema which upholds values and also serves as a mirror of the society. Hence, where does a horror story fit in is something often debated. And yet there are attempts to make movies in the genre; some do well and most do miserable.

Of all the well known horror movies, Ram Gopal Varma is probably the only one who has been moderately successful with Bhoot, while his Darna Zaroori Hai and Darna Mana Hai were ridiculed. And this time he is back with another supernatural, Phoonk. Though this one is not based on ghosts, but black magic.

The story of Phoonk is simplistic. It's about a Rajiv (Sudeep) who is an achiever and an atheist even though both his wife and mother are religious. One day he fires his close friend and associate out of his company on charges of fraud. The wife of this person (Ashwini Kalsekar) decides to charge back with black magic. And she picks out Rajiv's daughter Raksha (Ahsaas Channa) as she is the person Rajiv loves most

What's hot about Phoonk is the background music. The director uses the music really well to send chills down your spine from time to time. However, the story is not as gripping as the music and hence the fear factor never really holds onto you. Phoonk rides more on the emotion between a father and his daughter. Though that emotion comes out well, the film fails the target audience who will walk in to enjoy some nerve wrecking moments.

To add to that, the film is too slow. Elaborate shots – though beautiful – are used often to build the suspense element. The movie could have been shorter and better without a doubt. The editorial at fault. Plus, the special effects towards the end make the movie look like a low end television show!

The performance from Ahsaas is something to look forward to. And Sudeep does a good job in his debut, showing the subtlety that his usual performances do not have. Amruta is fine as Sudeep's wife. Jyoti Subhash gets irritating with her head shaking all the time. Ashiwini Kalsekar's character is too loud and extremely irritating.

Overall Phoonk scores low on the scare-o-meter. Ramu could do better with better stories. High time we get out of the horror of this 'great director making bad movies'. The film will take a good opening though riding on Ramu's challenge that it's too scary a movie.

            Rs 5 lakh is way too much an attraction. May be free tickets for a couple would have been better.