Abhinetri - Movie Review

What's it about!

Thirty-four year old Krishna (Prabhu Deva) yearns for a modern girl, but all he gets to marry is Devi (Tamannah), a dairy farmer whom he has to marry because his ready-to-die grandma okays her while in an unconscious state.  Such is his fate that the village belle becomes an Aparichituralu, switching to the character of a self-absorbed starlet who dances as if she is possessed.  

She in fact has been possessed, courtesy Ruby, the in-house devil in their haunted house.  No prizes for guessing that Ruby wanted to be an 'abhinetri' (star), but her dreams got shattered and her life ended abruptly.  Superstar Raj Karan (Sonu Sood) is a character whose mere presence is enough to keep us guessing about the cause of Ruby's death.  Thankfully, it's made clear early on that Ruby wants fame and she is not baying for blood.  Thanks for the small mercies.

The rest of the film is about how Krishna deals with Ruby and even Raj Karan to retain his wife in his fold.  

Analysis:

First things first.  Director AL Vijay didn't have illusions about scaring the audience.  As was made clear even before the film's release, this is a horror film that doesn't have the devil seen anywhere.  The idea was to create a comedrama around three-four characters - namely, Devi, Krishna, Krishna's sidekick (Sapthagiri), Raj Karans sidekick (Murali Sharma).  

In doing so, the director was oblivious to the importance of keeping the audience guessing.  The story is very predictable and bears thematic resemblance to Trisha Krishnan-starrer 'Nayaki'.  The very title makes it clear as to what is the hidden agenda (or rather, unsatisfied desires) of Ruby.  From this point, surprises should have been delivered visually.  There is only one special effects scene and that's all.  

Emotions are given a short shrift.  Neither Krishna's crisis nor Devi's psychological trauma (as she doesn't remember what happened to her during day time for days on end, she starts believing that she is suffering from a terminal illness) get any detailing.  

On the other hand, Sonu Sood's talent gets wasted.  He is like a glam doll out there to fall and fail in love without much seriousness.  Krishna's travails get a comical shape in the presence of the film star's character.  

Thanks to Prabhu Deva's presence, the makers managed to generate curiosity around the dance moves of the movie.  Prabhu Deva rocks it in 'Chal Maar' and Tamannah delivers a dekko in 'Dance Chey Mazagaa'.  Dance ceases to be an attraction after a point.

Acting-wise, Prabhu Deva doesn't really tickle the funny bone, as much as he tries.  He is looking older than he should for the role, much as his dancing abilities are intact.  Tamannah is a treat to watch in the village belle's role.  She gets the nuances right and if she is not Sridevi 'laga' in the other avatar, it must be because the character is given a stepmotherly treatment.  Sonu Sood looks stylish and fits the bill.  Sapthagiri, Prudhvi (read the scene where exorcist paraphernalia comes with a drone) are good.

Sajid-Wajid and Vishal Shekar's music does justice.  Gopi Sundar's BGM is another plus, so also the cinematography.

Bottomline:

A predictable fare, 'Abhinetri' doesn't thrill with its visuals either.  Although technical elements perform well wherever there is scope, there is only one CG scene.  With no emotional content, the film lacks tempo towards the climax.  It doesn't keep the audience tensed.  Tamannah's character should have got more importance.