Shaitan

wogma rating: Add to that never-watched 'To Watch' list (?)

quick review:

I can care for a character if there's both good and evil within him/her. If I don't see the evil side, it scares me. If don't see the good side, what's my motivation to care? Shaitan doesn't explore any fights within, it's just one devil versus the other. If it weren't for the brilliant performances, Shaitan would look like it's Director, Bejoy nambiar and producer, Anurag Kashyap's urge to sew plainly written scenes with quirky treatments.

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Director: Bejoy Nambiar
Running time: 135 minutes
Genres: Action, Crime, Docu-drama
More Movie Info

Shaitan - Preview

"There's a dark side in all of us", sounds so Dexter-y. But, that's what Shaitan's arresting posters are trying to say too. Considering how interesting the poster is, the trailer is a bummer.

Shaitan Poster

Fortunately the synopsis on the official site makes all the right noises. Director, Bejoy Nambiar claims that the film will talk about pertinent issues without sermonizing but instead promises entertainment. I'm alright if it doesn't entertain and just tells a simple, engaging story. But I sure hope he sticks to the "without sermonizing" part.

He also mentions a "real and raw" film. Raw is really exciting - be it emotion or texture of the film. The website and the promos are all about "face your inner shaitan". It'll be really cool if we some characters recognize, ackowledge and deal with the devil inside them, their raw self, so to speak.

Besides all of that, any film that has the Anurag Kashyap name attached to it goes high up on my "look forward to" list. Meanwhile, the music already seems to have pleased enough people, even if they don't think it's the best.

Music reviews:
milliblog - "dizzying, eclectic, indulgent and occasionally overdone."

music aloud - "7.25/10"

Bollywood Hungama - "2.5/5"

HappySing - "For now, I declare the experiment successful."

- meeta, a part of the audience

If there is only evil within you, there is nothing for you to struggle against. If you have no dilemmas, no internal conquests to make, you don't make interesting characters. If your characters don't interest me, I'm an audience tapping my feet, waiting for something unpredictable to happen. If you don't make anything unpredictable happen, I can only be awed so much by your slick cinematography, smart editing and pulsing background music. The point is there's an attempt to make the same point about our degenerating youth, in a different way. But style gets more than its share, and the dry runs of trying to shock, fail.

And yet just the performances make this film worth a watch. It makes you sit up and take notice. All of them from a short role by Raj Kumar Yadav to the main characters played by Shiv Pandit, Gulshan Devaiya, Kirti Kulhari, Neil Bhoopalam, and of course Rajeev Khandelwal. We always knew Kalki Koechlincan play the doped out, girl-woman. Here you see another facet. The one with perfect comic timing. Sure, she has some awesome one-liners. And her character has a sense of humor darker than mine (yes, I have an inflated opinion about my dark sense of humor). Kalki takes being an insensitive bitch to the next level.

And that's the best the writers do. The odd one-liner. Where's the depth that will engross you in the characters? The twists that will make you sit on the edge?

There's a quip in my native language, marwadi, which translates to - Don't you trust your fate/luck? Usually used when someone's eating as if there's no tomorrow. Looks like director, Bejoy Nambiar doesn't trust his fate. Which is why he put in everything he thought is quirky in this one film - whether it belonged or not0. Lest he didn't get another chance. One example, Amy's (Kalki) excuse for being cold is shown to us in a fairy-tale like atmosphere. That just doesn't fit in with the otherwise morbid story-telling. Maybe this was just wrong judgment. Everyone is allowed a few of those.

But there are more such examples. Dark characters find themselves in a spot that couldn't possibly get tighter. At this point, Bejoy breaks the fourth wall, has a character talk to the camera and have text superimposed on the screen!? Totally rocks the boat you've settled yourself in.

Maybe, just maybe, this was intentional. Maybe the characters have lost their marbles and can't think straight anymore. Maybe, the youth that Bejoy seems to be commenting on is so beyond redemption that they can only find comedy in the great tragedy they have created. I'd have given that benefit of doubt if the rest of the writing supported it. Can killing someone by accident make you callous enough to kill at will?

Without a doubt, the situation that Khoya Khoya Chand is set to is brilliantly edited. And for once I liked the use of slow motion in a song (ahem!). Yet, it looked more like a part of Bejoy's showreel rather than his Shaitan.

Yes, each one of us has a devil that has made us its home. Yes, we need to fight it constantly to make this world livable. Yes, it's a beautiful concept that needs to be explored in Hindi cinema. Yes, it remains so.

- meeta, a part of the audience

45 reviewers(?) - 29 yays 12 so-so 4 nays

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs up, by Nishtha Bhatnagar, Alpha : ...One thing that might not work for the film is that it fails to address one major issue in that the director completely forgets to give a conclusion to the crime that started it all.... full review

Thumbs up, by Naresh Deoshi, Apun Ka Choice : ...Go for this satanic sass.... full review

Thumbs up, by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama : ...SHAITAN is bound to raise eyebrows thanks to its contemporary, thrilling, hard-hitting and forceful content. One of the most ingenious and entertaining thrillers I've seen in a long time.... full review

Thumbs up, Bollywood Mantra : ...it is a well made film by Anurag Basu and debutante director Bijoy Nambiar. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Payal Khanna, Desi Martini : ...Try something new and gritty this weekend.... full review

Thumbs up, by Yusuf, Desi Martini : ...quirky, stark, dark, disturbing and in your face! Not for the candy floss crowd. But definitely worth your money if you like to watch fresh old stuff.... full review

Thumbs up, by Smita, Desi Martini : ...Shaitan picks you up chews you well and then spews you out of the theatre well digested.... full review

Thumbs up, by Ankur Pathak, Desi Martini : ...The film rings a bell of warning and a cry of caution. Its hard to see it as fiction. It is alarming to believe it as existing reality. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Blessy Chettiar, DNA : ...Watch Shaitan for its original story and the talent showcased by the cast and sound and editing teams... full review

Thumbs up, by Deepa Deosthalee, Film Impressions : ...This assured debut is reminiscent of Alejandro González Iñárritu's Amores Perros. Shaitan isn't just the lament of a lost generation, it is a signal of alarm for urban Indian society that seems spiraling towards its own destruction with unnatural zeal.... full review

Thumbs up, by Pankaj Sabnani, Glamsham.com : ...Devaiya shows promise in his work. Kirti Kulhari is decent. Neil Bhoopalam is good. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Divya Solgama, Gomolo.in : ...Raj Kumar Yadav, Nikhil are fine. Rajat Barmecha’s cameo was nice. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Kaveree Bamzai, india today : ...From bhurji pao at Bade Miyan to a midnight raid on a chemist for cough syrup to get high on, from speeding Hummers to a crooked cop, brilliantly played by the professional shyster Raj Kumar Yadav, this is a movie that is memorable. Worrying but memorable... full review

Thumbs up, by Komal Nahta, koimoi : ...Watch it for the stylish making and the terrific background score.... full review

Thumbs up, by Shubha Shetty-Saha, MiD DAY : ...Kalki is excellent as Amy. And so is Rajeev, who plays Arvind Mathur, a cop, struggling through life, dealing with his troubled marriage and temper issues.... full review

Thumbs up, Mixed Bag : ...‘Shaitan’ is a case of a simple story resulting in a very good watch, thanks to the excellent performance by every single member of the movie.... full review

Thumbs up, Movie Talkies : ...Rajat Barmecha strikes a hilarious note in his cameo as the 'flashback mein flashback' Shomu, while Rajkumar Yadav, last seen in the scare flick Ragini MMS, is also quite good as the crooked sub-inspector Malwankar here.... full review

Thumbs up, by Karan Anshuman, Mumbai Mirror : ...This is an oversight and a big logic loophole. All Amy had to do was hide while the others pretended they didn’t know anything, right?... full review

Thumbs up, by Subhash K Jha, Now Running.com : ...The camera is never inattentive. The street scenes and the sound-design are absolutely brilliant.... full review

Thumbs up, by Mansha Rastogi, Now Running.com : ...It's difficult to ignore the brilliant remix of Dev Anand's Khoya Khoya Chand or the background work during chase sequence of Rajeev Khandelwal and Rajkumar Yadav.... full review

Thumbs up, by Ankit Ojha, Planet Bollywood : ...Check out the usage of Bhayanak Maut’s Unleashed for the street-race sequence, and Ranjit Barot’s brilliantly executed Pintya for the chase sequence between Khandelwal and Yadav. Masterstroke.... full review

Thumbs up, by Ruchi Mehta, Roochster : ...I love the way the director has presented the song Khoya Khoya Chand. That was just superb and so brilliantly shot!... full review

Thumbs up, by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies : ...It doesn’t make sense to classify the film as good or bad—Shaitan is a unique experience to be savoured if you’re looking for an adventure.... full review

Thumbs up, by Janhvi Patel, StarBoxOffice : ...The sub-plots are layered and juxtaposed beautifully. You connect with the characters and empathize with them. ... full review

Thumbs up, by K K Rai, STARDUST : ...A good fare.... full review

Thumbs up, by P S Arjun, The Cine Segye : ...a must see for the fans of ‘edge-of-the-seat’ thrillers.... full review

Thumbs up, The Friday Freak : ...Surprisingly and interestingly, there is no sex shown in the movie. A movie that reeks of hedonism, debauchery and gross excesses as an everyday part of life is bound to go down the tried and tested way of showing a few sexual connotations down and about, but there’s none. This is the most sexless movie I have seen this year.... full review

Thumbs up, by Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India : ...haitaan's gang of no-gooders may be a disturbing lot, but they are immensely watchable as they walk the tightrope between sanity and insanity... full review

Thumbs up, by SpiceZee Bureau, Zee News : ...A special mention to director Bijoy Nambiar who dares to narrate a realistic story. ... full review

So-So, by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express : ...After the accident, after which you could say Shaitan begins to vaguely resemble an existential riff on I Know What You Did Last Summer, the film turns somewhat conventional.... full review

So-So, by Pooja Rao, Bolly Spice : ...despite few levies and benefit of doubt, overall it has some cheap thrills but majorly lacks punch... full review

So-So, by Deepa Gahlot, Film Impressions : ...Rajeev Khandelwal heads the cast, with his attractively implosive presence and Kalki Koechlin brings to the role crazy energy.... full review

So-So, by Sukanya Venkatraghavan, Filmfare : ...Neil Bhoopalam as Zubin is nuanced and Kruti Kulhari as Tanya stands out too... full review

So-So, by Nupur Barua, fullhyd.com : ...it is a delight to watch Rajit Kapoor, despite his one-dimensional role... full review

So-So, by Mayank Shekhar, Hindustan Times : ...In a similar vein, the film derives itself almost wholly from a pop, counter-cultural new wave of late '90s that roughly defined independent films back then...The outcome may be partly pretentious; it's largely satisfying still.... full review

So-So, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...It isn't as daring as Anurag Kashyap's debut 'Paanch' whose themes it clearly mirrors, but it's got many moments that'll surprise you. ... full review

So-So, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...These fresh-faced kids are all right, but they are more sketches than filled-out people you want to care about: you never get a sense of a darkness that is waiting to engulf them.... full review

So-So, by Sanjukta Sharma, Live Mint : ...Koechlin is inconsistent, but brings out the trauma of being harangued by dark memories of a mentally unstable mother with some degree of conviction. ... full review

So-So, by Anupama Chopra, NDTV : ...Strangely however, Nambiar doesn’t allow us to emotionally invest in his characters – just when you are in their grip, he throws you out with a too-clever-by-half flashback within flashback story.... full review

So-So, by Reel Reptile, Upper Stall : ...Credit where it is due: a highly stylized and technically flawless attempt at pulling off technical flawlessness, Shaitan is a colorful screenshot of the kaleidoscopic happenings (bole toh all kinds of chemical lochas) inside a true junkie’s quivery mind. ... full review

So-So, by Kunal Guha, yahoo! India : ...The film gets full marks for style. Crisp visuals accompanied by a great soundtrack ensure a dreamy audio-visual experience. '... full review

Thumbs down, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ...Well shot & performed, but unconvincing based on a seen before plot going over the length. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Bikas Mishra, DearCinema : ...immensely immature, ridiculously overconfident.... full review

Thumbs down, by Anant, My Take on Flicks : ...The problem with Shaitan it, it never gets dark enough.... full review

Thumbs down, by Raja Sen, Rediff : ...This film never seems to get that balance.... full review

235 tweeters(?) - 185 yays 17 so-so 33 nays

yashrocks09: Overall, I liked Shaitan for its splendid camerawork.. madness shown in the friend's gang. 2nd half was less gripping for me.

YashRamboTodi: X-MEN, A Class Movie.. SHAITAN, An Awesome Movie..!!!!

WickedNoize: For all those who asked for d review of #Shaitan, one word 'Fucksome' >3

want_beer: If we go on like this #Shaitan will be trending soon :) Ahh the pleasure that would bring me!

vivekranjit: #Shaitan was good, very good. But somehow didnt feel completely satisfied by the end of it all. @nambiarbejoy has made a great debut.

VIVECKVASWANI: Shaitan, superbly designed and brilliantly executed. The whole team contributed to make bejoys vision happen.

vivankamath: #shaitan-one heck of a movie. #mustwatch.

vipul19: shaitan is a true delight for cinema lovers. loved it :-)

viplove_gupte: Pink Floyd takes me to Shaitan! Its scene composition! Its camera! Its design and its editing! I dare to compare the two!

VIOLETT: #shaitan #mastwatch #review

varunnair: #shaitan was one of the best movies I saw recently in all aspects. Bejoy and anurag take a bow !

varunh9: Shaitan is a better work of art than the movie done by film industry's very own shaitan!

urseshan: Watchd #Shaitan yest.Absolutly luvd the FUN that the gang has initialy,very stylish picturizatn of r GEN' Both Good/Bad stuff out thr fr us!

UmeshDubey: Heyy ppl watched shaitan....will ve 2say that d movie is a must watch:-)

TusharShedge: Shaitan... Awesome 1 to c.. :) *****

ThyNameShirish: Watched #Shaitan....nice drama....I liked it

thinzzzy: Beejoy "shaitan" nambiar.yes this film could get him this title.mind blowing and what a soundtrack.khoya khoya chand was fabulous.

theevilp: Blown away by Shaitan. The experience is very akin to reading a novel. Soundtrack brilliant. Detailing mindfuck! Highly recommended!

THEESAKSHIGOPAL: Shaitan is a tasty thriller that’s predictable but wins for its crisp post production and cinematography.YIPPPE I LIKE KALKI

thatpallavi: So impressed with #shaitan! Love the insanity of the 1st half & the ugliness of the 2nd.There's a difference between what's true & the truth

tehrashminator: Shaitan is a crazy ride. Fantastic direction & cinematography. Not an entertainer, but good cinema. Worth it for the moments of brilliance.

tanishaghura: Just saw Shaitan! Really liked it. So different from the mainstream rubbish

susritas: #shaitan has nuthing to do with inner shaitan but a simple story brilliantly made..

SuperSampath: A quick re-cap on the 3 best bollywood movies i have seen this year. 7khoon maaf, Stanley ka Dabba and Shaitan.close to 6 months & 3 movies

sunnyjain83: Shaitan,another dark movie from kashyap banner....just another story,but wid a brilliant execution & a hard hitting background score...

sumitpansarii: #shaitan its all over my mind @ankash1009 superb work by all actors @kalkikanmani KHoya Khoya chand was surely consider as item number

SumanaMukherjee: Lurrrved #Shaitan. After ages a movie where you can't predict the next scene

stackmylife: Superb movie Shaitan

spurdz: Loved the film! "@lathasunadh: Some amazing casting #shaitan"

souvik_d: watchd shaitan today..........totally a new kinda movie,lykd it. #fb

soulreaper_: SHAITAN: Very well made but also very disturbing yet deep.

sonix15: #Shaitan is an inspiration for Indian Cinema to be more daring, more real. @anuragkashyapFC

sohamb: Shaitan's a wonderful cinematographic experience, you'll live thru sme scenes. Overall a very hard hitting film with powerful performances.

SnehhK: Loved Shaitan. Take a bow Bejoy Nambiar.

SinghAshwini: #Shaitan Zindabad!

Simply_Apurva: From Khoya Khoya Chand to Dil Do Paagal Hai. #Shaitan. Cult Apart. \m/

silarindam: Brilliant -Shaitan! Kalki is great.Well acted,well edited,well photographed & brilliantly directed.Indian cinema's growing up at last.

SiddharthKD: Shaitan: 4/5 Deep dark devilish gets ugly. This movie cautions one to never hide any sin as it gets more ugly n sh***y A WARNIN 2 youngsters

Shruto: The movie "Shaitan" totally rocks! Music is awesome too...!!! Hats off to Anurag Kashayp!

shre_dude: Shaitan - excellent treatment & narration, novel concept, avg screenplay, gr8 characters ... A bit overhyped @anuragkashyapFC

Shrayas: Watched Shaitan Last night....edgy thriller...good performances...crisp editing...superb cinematography...must see

ShirilM: Couldn't agree more! RT@HerNastiness: the only redeeming shot in #shaitan was the kick to the #rickshaw fellow who refuses the ride.""

Shemeemkadakkal: Ending a fab day.discussion wit V.K prakash,bril movie shaitan,beach with friend.it was totally an exciting day but .,

ShashankKumar3: #Shaitan yet another brilliantly directed..awesome flow..great style..in a nutshell..must watch..hats off..

sharma_roli: | Shaitan= gripping, disturbing, exhilarating, great background score and amazing conceptualization .. Indian cinema's coming of age!

SHARAS555: Friends+popcorn +coffee+Shaitan = Perfect rainy sunday

shankydada: SHAiTaN-intoxicating,electrifying,psychedellic!a feeling when u hit a pub-sound,lights,girls,decor!Wow,a path breaking effort from Binoy ...

SaurabhJain25: just watched shaitan yesterday........it's really awesome thriller.........

SatadalSengupta: Watched Shaitan n felt goosebumps... nice cast n a great story.. Rajeev, Nikhil n Kalki have done wonders!! Really a great movie #Shaitan

sarathvk: SHAITAN: is a brilliant film. A post modern taken on sin and evil. Super stylish and Tarantino-esque gore (cont) http://www.twitlonger.com/show/b2eon3

sapnaghosh: Amazing & outstanding movie #Shaitan...completely tripping over it

sanganisahil: Shaitan amust must must Watch Movie fo all guyzz n girls....... just loved it...™.

sandmaxprime: If you havent seen #Shaitan yet, I suggest you do - Splendid Direction and Scripting; Rivetting performances by the cast esp Kalki

sandeepmakam: just watched shaitan: giant leap for indian cinema. hat tip to bejoy nambiar for his terrific narrative & unique style of film making. fab!

samirmadhavan: In an era of copy paste, #shaitan is something fresh.

SaloniChheda: saw #shaitan yesterday....!!! n was so happy to see @nikhilchinapa in it !!!!! loved the story ... what goes around comes back around !!!

sagorikadg: Shaitan was a nice watch.Rajeev Khandelwal was super.

sabarish: Shaitan the movie was pretty awesome!

ruchichauhan08: watched shaitan movie its a different movie and have something good which attract youngsters to watch and (cont) http://www.twitlonger.com/show/b2o8cq

RRedDevill: Saw SHAITAN yesterday. Was almost incredible. Almost.

rohanh: Shaitan is a must watch Awesome direction, music & background score. reminds me #Paanch Anurag Kashyap and Bejoy Nambiar take a bow ! #fb

Rohaan_: Shaitan!! I loved it!

RjSangeeta: Shaitan. Brilliant

rifqraff: Disturbing yet good. Go watch shaitan. Hoot for @shiv_pandit and @nikhilchinapa . I did.

Richieraj: Watched a movie #Shaitan ....It was splendid!...:)

RealRajmahal: Oh no #Shaitan is def not safe for parents but a great movie!

ranjankant: Shaitan *wicked* as hell with 0 moral scruples n glad to see Indian audience completely lapping it up !

rangith: Shaitan: Strong portrayal of dark side of humans n how ugly it can be, how irrelevant is it in life n what loses it can bring.

rajvaish: #shaitan is beautiful!! @nikhilchinapa LMAO at da airtel scene! :P

rajeev0409: kudos @ankash1009 and team for #shaitan. terrific #indiancinema... and what a bonus eargasmic 'khoya khoya Chand..' track. #brilliant.

rajantina: Shaitan #awesome such a brilliant movie

raj7desai: +1 RT @VarunParekh @cliffordsouza U need to wattch "Shaitan" just for this! :D

rahulbagati: Shaitan - dark yet very nice movie

Puneet_Arora86: if u r a fan of 'Time Warp', thn u must go 4 'Shaitan'.. film shot in d same way. watch sum gr8 slow motion sequncs.

psingh400: Shaitan was rather cool eh and I'm completely digging the new kids on the block. #makewayfortheyoungfolk

Priyesh_vk: <3 Find the extreme shaitan in you................. <3

priyanki_bh: Shaitan: a typical Anurag Kashyap flick.Dark, gory at times, strong performances, phenomenal camera work,great soundtrack

PriyankaRoy2: Shaitan....Class apart.... Must watch!!!!

PrithaSharma: #shaitan what a film! All hail bejoy nambiar

PRBaba: If you have not seen Shaitan , you missed eminent part of your life #film #india #bollywood

prashakth: Watched "SHAITAN" 2day as have always loved Anurag Kashyap's Work.Gripping Storyline,Good Performances & Screenplay.I would rate it 3.5/5.

prahladagarwal: Shaitan is a hollywood stuff.. Highly recommended

Pra_jakta: #Shaitan! Must see!

PooriNautanki: Watched Shaitan- good movie, exciting plot, even better casting, but too much violence for my liking.

pooh_m: #shaitan...!!!!! Brilliant....bring on the shaitan in u!!! Gr8 work..!!!

parishith: And massive props to Anurag Kashyap for supporting such talents. First Vikramaditya Motwane, and Bejoy Nambiar now. #Shaitan #Udaan

parekhm: Shaitan depicts the quest for mindless thrills in urban india at its best ! Should be required viewing for all parents !!!

omie_slice: I loved #shaitan! well made movie @ankash1009

nkitg: good movie but as aweosme as his previous work RT: @Nidhi_Thakur: Ppl wasting time on twitter, do yourself a favor n go watch #shaitan NOW!

nitinjain87: Must watch #Shaitan exceptional movie :)

nishant3271: Shaitan - everybody has a shaitan inside...very strong and honest message...amazing Cinema work

nirmit28: What a chase sequence! Awesome...shaitan is a must see...the chase reminded me of the chase seq in srk and sunny s darr.

niravsoni11: shaitan...... good movie !!!

Nimisha_S: If you have not seen Shaitan yet....GO WATCH IT NOW!!!!

NAYAN009V: shaitan is fully shaitan ......good movie

mvipuld: SHAITAN : A must watch for youth....

Mr_metal_addict: Watched Shaitan today ,Awesome flick !

mlkvys: #Shaitan awesome movie, fan of Anurag Kashyap now..

mihirpmehta: Just watched #Shaitan.....nice off beat movie... Shows the darker side of life... Must watch

mehtaneil: Still can't get over Shaitan. "Khoya khoya chand .." #playinginthehead

mehtahansal: Cooked Vegetable Khichda for dinner. My purple patch in the kitchen continues! Saw Shaitan after the wholesome meal! What fun! #shaitan.

mayureerao: shaitan is dark, twisted n beyond brilliant! the background score deserves a applaud!!! super like!

mayur_kh: #Shaitan is disturbing. Still its super awesome. Must watch it is.

mayanksen: Hats of to #bijoynambiar.......go find ur inner #shaitan....wonder how @anuragkashyapFC find such gud directors, writers......

maxravi: Shaitan movie Review - A must watch for all Ages http://hubpages.com/hub/Shaitan-movie-Review-A-must-watch-for-all-ages via @=HubPagesDotCom

MarketerAtHeart: Movie Shaitan. Must watch. http://m.indiatoday.in/itwapsite/story?sid=141059&secid=67 #bollywood

ManishMalhotra1: Sunday evening with friends watched shaitan : good film

manishmahuja: Just as god as I expected it to be. Not sure if everybody will like ie. http://getglue.com/movies/shaitan/bejoy_nambiar?s=tch&ref=manishahujas @GetGlue #Shaitan

ManishJashnani1: My tweet for SHAITAN is an upgraded version of Pune Mirror...They said(originally) its recommended viewing...I say its a must watch :)

ManishGodhwani: disturbing yet pleasant! #Shaitan

madhuskaushik: Shaitan is easily the best movie i have seen in the past 2 weeks... brilliant direction and editing... #superhit

lohiaabhi: Shaitan! Psychedelic yet amazing!!

lalit_you: Had gone for a movie shaitan ...awesome movie... After movie overheard gujju lady saying "Bou gammyu mane" ..gujjus r gujjus

kritika_kamra: Loved shaitan! New-age, Wicked!!

kristiano75: SHaitAN...aWEsomE movie...!!

KoyelMukherjea: Must watch Shaitan...loved it ( in parts)

KishorKankariya: Just watched shaitan, Its Awesome. Once again @ Anurag Kashyap left a mark. Take a bow @ Rajiv Khandelwal.

KeYoOr123: watched 'shaitan'...u need guts 2 make such a film...anurag kashyap has loads f it...brilliently scripted movie,although taken 4m french one

kartikvadera: Saw #Shaitan. Nice plot. Loved the whole feel of the movie. Brilliant camera work. Overall very refreshing movie. Must watch !!

karan89: Bejoy Nambiar : the next Quentin Tarantino? #AestheticViolence #Shaitan #fb

Kanikanikanika: #Shaitan : dark, disturbing, makes your insides churn but a visual experience like no other-sheer creative genius! @nambiarbejoy take a bow!

Jyotsna_Kanjhan: #Shaitan did not disappoint. Anurag Kashyap, brilliant as always.

JustChetu: Watched SHAITAN . Superb Movie. I wud recommend ppl watch out for that movie. Rating: 3/5 .

jubindesai: Shaitan is a brilliant movie...fun to watch...luv d background scor...khoyakhoyachand sequence ws absolutely brilliant...wow

joel_dubba: #Shaitan is the best example of the innovative and technical genius of new-age filmmakers. Kudos, @ankash1009, @kalkikanmani!

jeshvik77: shaitan is all bout sound , shiv , gulshan , kalki , rajeev and course the tlntd Joy Wow.... It Jst KIckasss @vamc4new @leon4 @ankash1009

irshadkhan1003: #shaitan is by far the best hindi movie of the year ...

iPantula: shaitan was the most fun i had in a long time. okay, the beer after that was even better!! but the movie was awesome!!

Indianpjboy: So #shaitan film has a track of #bhayanak Maut. Indian cinema has definately evolved. Kudos. A Great film. @ankash1009

imMalav: SHAITAN is fast pace,gripping,intelligent & disturbing!take a bow Bejoy Nambiar & Anurag Kashyap!it just shook me frm inside!gr8 work by all

idrrajdeep: On the face,irreverent,brutal,shocking,the most heady thriller of recent times,Shaitan,deserves a watch & appreciation.Bravo Bejoy Nambiar!

iamamyth: Watched 'Shaitan' last night. Brilliant flick.... Go watch....

iam_yanarp: enjoyed a Bollywood movie after a long time #Shaitan

hyderali_: Yesterday watched Shaitan, a perfect movie for todays youth, good direction, awesome BG Music, brilliant acting (Rajeev) & soothing music

Hena_SRK: To be Honest I Loved #Shaitan More Than I Like #Ready ! I Watch Both !Laugh at Ready but it didnot have a Story !! but Sietan Very realistic

hello_shayesta: #Shaitan is dark yet engaging edgy. creatively brilliant. little sloppy in integrating few scenes #fb

hedonist81: Yo! So was Gulshan ! RT @sagorikadg: Shaitan was a nice watch.Rajeev Khandelwal was super.

Harshraj_Desai: go find out SHAITAN inside u...n hw scary he is..

harmeetcheema: #Shaitan - loved the movie! Very new age

gitsypitsy: #Shaitan - I'm in awe, brilliant direction and background score.

gitikakhan: Shaitan is awwsmme, wild, crazy.... young

gilchristmaniac: Shaitan is brilliant in many ways. I'd watch it again just for the camera work and editing! It was nice to see @noyonika in it :)

GhumakkadChoree: Shaitan too grim, too gray, too real to digest. #mustwatch

GhantaBabaJiKa: FB RT: Shaitan is a very bold movie in what it had to show, amazing cinematography and dialogues....insane movie...

geek_rohit: Just saw Shaitan. Great movie. Rajeev Khandelwal was superb.

gauri78: 'Shaitan'-welcome to Kashyap's world - fast paced, exciting, hard-hitting with good acting skills, storyline & great background soundtracks!

gajabkhopdi: Anurag Kashyap : Bollywood :: Quentin Tarantino : Hollywood .....Mr. Kashyap, take a bow for Shaitan!

En_Jey: Loved how they potrayed youth in #Shaitan. Crazy Movie. Awesome soundtrack. #Review

drmishalshah: shaitan 5/5...its evil

Drkritarth_YNWA: 2 movies backtoback -The brilliant X-men and the super Shaitan....the latter for the 2nd time!

donnamunshi: Kudos to the makers of 'Shaitan' - Brilliant

djRanga: Shaitaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!! #shaitan

divyaunny: I'd watch #shaitan again. For its background score and #Neilbhopalam

ditishah: Its almost awesome.. Almost. RT @tapanmehtta: First on the agenda in this week is to watch #shaitan

dipti_b: #Shaitan...amazing piece of work...seen a really good movie after a long time.....must watch

DipT_T: Humne Kal #Shaitan dekhi...aur yeh mehsoos kiya... ki Shaitaani hamaare nas nas me bhari hai.. Damn I so much enjoyed dat movie xD

Dhru2208: Shaitan. A well made movie. Funny, violent and stylish. Not made for everyone.

dhirajwrites: Watch #shaitan for it's shock value :)

Devoted_Glutton: Don't miss Shaitan and watch it in theatre

Deeps_tweet: Shaitan film is too good. Don't miss

deepak_rajwada: Shaitan is awefuckingsome.... Take a bow @anuragkashyapFC . You are the man. #Epic

daadimooch: Saw Shaitan. Nice movie. First half is awesome. Second half has been stretched little bit.

chetanjavale: shaitan asme mvie!!!!!!!!

buntyspeak: Saw Shaitan yesterday night its awesome

BollywoodFuNNy: Shaitan Movie #smallbutpowerful

blahssome: I really liked Shaitan. Wonder why people were saying it has a weak story and all. Trippy movie. Don't see anything "cult" about it though.

bhumika_b: Watched Shaitan. last night Very Different. Liked it.

Awesomeatma: Shaitan-awesome direction, good story line...

ashokkw: Watch'Shaitan'. Superb performances and excellent camerawork. Cheers to Anurag Kashyap style of filming and Camerawork...

ashishansingkar: Shaitan too good must must must see....

ashibansal: "Shaitan" a must watch :-)

arvindia4u: Just realized Bejoy Nambiar deserves special mention for directing Shaitan. Amazing camerawork and screenplay !

Arjunlal_B: #Shaitan - loved it. The #KhoyaKhoyaChand sequence is the pick of all !

anushreekothari: Thank you Anurag Kashyap & Bejoy Nambiar for not disappointing me! #Shaitan #GoodStuff

ankupande: "@RishabhPNair: @ankupande #Shaitan is NOT a movie, It's a goddamn Journey, its a trip, a high... #justsaying"AGREE rishabh!@nambiarbejoy

ankitpandey1: Shaitan - Crude, Raw, & Hard hitting

anishsood: Just watched #Shaitan. *UNREAL* cinematography and great acting. Kickass soundtrack as well. @nambiarbejoy @nikhilchinapa

amitjain123: Watched SHAITAN,gud movie,gr8 scenes,gud, narration,but failed to understand 2-3 scenes.Dark screens,confusion. Does everyone understand it.

Allee_G: SO i forced down harry potter, lord of the rings and kungfu panda on S. Luckily he had a welcome break in Shaitan & loved it. @sharmine_04

Agarwal_Rahul: Watched #Shaitan... brilliantly shot and awesome music... the khoya khoya chand shootout sequence is the highlight of the movie

adityatib: Shaitan, gr8 film !

aditmadan: What do you call a crazy vibrator? Dildo Pagal Hai. Hahaha... Taken from the movie Shaitan. A must watch!

abhikbee: This anuragh kashyap is quite eccentric huh. Shaitan is a post modern taken on sin and evil. Shiv Pandit #marrymenow

1kunalbahl: Finally an engaging bollywood movie..hooked for 2 hours #shaitan

_PGN: #Shaitan : Rajeev Khandelwal is clearly a much more talented & rounded actor than all the star sons / nephews around

Tupurc: Is Shaitan really such a cult film? I think not. An average film among a crop of terrible ones. #Shaitan

shreyasighosh: Shaitan? Okay. Drags a little in the end. The "Khoya Khoya Chaand" sequence is brilliant. But Rajeev Khandelwal is just WOW.

ShreyaDuttweets: Disturbing, though not dark enough, guess the better behaved shaitan!

sagarcmyakal: Shaitan- i was accepting more but....!! ok, n end could be more interesting

ridhubhatia: ok so shaitan it was.. the movie was ok but loved seeing my classmate's name in the credits!

PillaiMK: Watched #Shaitan it's an ok movie with some memorable moments But #Kalki is not like in DevD.Just c it & a big NO to drugs!! #nambiar

mehtakeyur: #shaitan a good movie; not a great one .. Would rate it 3/5

jhayu: So, Shaitan: Magnificently shot. But the first half was too slow and the second too confused.

divaesquee: Watched shaitan...wsnt tht gr8 as much as i hd heard hw amazin it was...

Devls_Advocate: Saw shaitan today! Better watch on cd

crucifire: Shaitan - lame plot, okayish acting but as wid any Kashyap movie, mindblowing camera angles and brilliant music. #fb

CineMagik: Oh and for those asking about my take on #Shaitan: Good film, maybe. Great cinema? (Pardon the lingo) Deekra, suck my deek ra!

chintanzalani: 'Shaitan' from my eyes ;) : Artiste but with a lost cause - CoolAge http://bit.ly/lQh5qG?ncid=tw_ via @CoolAge

AshtaadV: Shaitan appreciable but still unsatisfactory....could not relate to the story...sorry Mr. Kashayap but DevD was way better...2.5/5

anupamsaxena: Things I like about Shaitan- camera effects, background score, some performances..Things I don't- a weak story line, laggard second half

ankur_gupta91: watched #shaitan today.....first half was rocking second half was blah blah.... superb job by niel...

aakashrodrigues: watched #shaitan with @JaMBY454. okay-ish movie. lil sloppy in terms of integrating all the aspects. @geekblues, you shouldve come!

yb_live: Saw shaitan last night. You can give it a miss. Thriller film is supposed to be gripping or at least should not be boring.

WolstonL: #youdumbashell if you watched a movie like #Shaitan on a cozy weekend like this... #Damn I did

Ti_Tweeting: only thing saving me frm #Shaitan's terrible morbid bullshit were the reclining seats! My head feels like a heavy steaming momo now! Aggrrhh

suketutalekar: Quick review for Shaitan- Underwhelming.

sreya: #Shaitan introduces you to an outlandish plot & a supremely talented bunch of actors. Unfortunately neither were fully exploited.

siddiqz: Totally weird.......#Shaitan

ShrivastavG: A mellow attempt to remake Paanch is what Shaitan is :|

savyaswaroop: shaitan #sucks

Sanmiita: Shaitan.. *yawn*

rohankadam: oh, i saw shaitan over the weekend. wish i didn't tho. all this talk of path breaking cinema. guess we use the word too loosely..

rochit: #shaitan Just plainly ok types. Not paisa vasool. You would not enjoy it if you are expecting a blockbuster. #fb

primaveron: From #shaitan, you would have expected the menacingness of 'a clockwork orange' Instead you get watered down tarantino. #truthbetold

pranjan12: Shaitan movie sucks. I expected better from this team :( Its a waste of time.

peeyuka: There are just 2 good highlights of the movie Shaitan - The Khoya Khoya Chand remix scene & the female who plays Rajeev Khandelwal's wife

pandyasheetal: shaitan.. :( lsd types.. Only three guys pulled of the movie.. kalki has got lot of footage due to anuraag..she can only pout and shout

labyrinthashish: so then i saw #shaitan .kind of underwhelmed. may b coz i was expecting lil too much. / firs half was terrific. second half, not so terrific

kopparapu_anil: u can face ur inner shaitan...but u cant face movie shaitan#nt upto expectations

KavitaNatarajan: OK. Did not really like #Shaitan. Visual treatment and soundtrack are awesome. Can't say the same for the story and performances. #MyReview

junoesque: #Shaitan a bad hash of #SanjeevNanda of BMW hit n run fame n a 21st century version of khel khel mein..

I_am_mohitt: Watched #Shaitan. Did not like it personally. But, Rajeev Khandelwal has done a good job.

hemantmandaliya: #Shaitan Good Concept. Poor Execution. Lame Script.

harishenoy: X Men First Class (4/5) and Shaitan (2/5). My movie weekend ends. Back to the grind. Dear Friday, I want you so bad already.

gradwolf: Shaitan: Left me quite cold. Mostly blah.

Elninowski: the only redeeming shot in #shaitan was the kick to the #rickshaw fellow who refuses the ride.

Cinemausher: #Shaitan is film with good visuals but no soul

chin80: Saw Shaitan. Nothing great. Could have avoided.

budhadityaroy: Saw Shaitan. The interval was rocking. What played on either side of it didn't match up to the interval

anvesh4you: Watched shaitan. It didnt meet all my expectations..seriously....

anoopck: shaitan and it's shaitani are not impressive.. :(

aniket_sharma: Disappointed with shaitan! Only good thing about the movie was the pretty girl sitting next to me :)

anantha: Shaitan did not work for me at all. Sure it was "bold", "provocative" & all that. But somehow having seen Paanch, this was nothing special.

Abhishek8041: In his quest to emulate #Anuragkashyap Bejoy has tried to make a dark artistic movie, but has forgotten to put a soul in it #Shaitan

abhamv: Watched Shaitan. Didn't really blow my mind as I had expected it to.

6 readers - 3 yays 0 so-so 3 nays

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Shruti Rai

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Suman

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Vishal

Nay! Thumbs Down, by guddu : Who cares for those shaitans?

Nay! Thumbs Down, by Nikhil : It is pretty much everything I don't want to see in a film. It remained such till the end.

Nay! Thumbs Down, by Nishchal Diwate : 1 star

This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.

Parental Guidance:

  • Violence: Lots of blood and gun shot.
  • Language: Lots of abusive language.
  • Nudity & Sexual content: A scene that implies sex and another one that has a character masturbate.
  • Concept: The devil within you will take over.
  • General Look and Feel: Dark.

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

Direction:
Story:
Lead Actors:
Character Artists:
Dialogues:
Screenplay:
Music Director:
Lyrics:

Comments (11)

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The music (apart from that track by "Bhayanak Maut") is quite enjoyable. And as you say, if it's got Anurag Kashyap it can't be bad.

**fingers crossed**

We always knew Kalki Koechlincan play the doped out, girl-woman.well said.... Meetu i liked this part.You are absolutely correct the plot never displayed anything intriguing than the spoiled brats...taking down the streets...reminds me of dev d.Frankly speaking i went only for the sex scenes which was neither good or titillating enough.You know people have different mindset for seeing a particular film.I won't write anymore because Your review is exactly to my verdict.You really wrote the review according to your perception unlike most of the critics who easily get drool away with name and fame.Keep going Meetu.

Thanks Guddu! What made you think there were "sex" scenes? Which "sex" scenes were there?

IT'S BEEN WHILE SINCE I SAW AN ADULT RATED MOVIE.WHEN I FIRST SAW THE TRAILER.KALKI GOING AROUND KISSING ANOTHER GIRL RAISED MY EXPECTATIONS TO SEE IT FOR ITS SEX NUANCE.BUT AFTER WATCHING IT I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S A RESEMBLANCE TO AN EARLIER MOVIE PAANCH WHICH WAS CENSORED FOR IT'S VIOLENCE AND NOT SEX AND I WAS FOOLED.

@guddu ads! they lie all the time, don't they?

@Vishal that's one way of looking at it.

Interested in acting/modeling/direction???Upload your portfolio on to Tumbhi.com.You could have a chance to get mentored by Anurag Kashyap.

Anu

I agree with you. I too thought the end was absurd & abrupt. They tried to make the end look different but it wasn't somehow fitting with the movie. I thought the end was faster than the speed of the rest of the movie. Don't know how to put into words.

Also, yes, they've put all they could in the movie which was weird. They didn't even mention the real reason of the inspector's divorce. [comment edited because it gives the movie away]

Music, edits and performances were great! :)

@someone_talked_of10 awesome way of putting in your thoughts. Thanks!

@Nishchal ouch! hmmm...don't quite agree that movies have the power to make us do anything we don't want to do.

@Anu :D thanks! well, i thought they gave us a sufficient glimpse of why the divorce was happening, and not everything needs to be explicitly said.

comment Totally agree. If you have time to read my essay on the film, and drugs and violence on film in general, please do. Thanks.

http://filmscool9.blogspot.com/2011/06/take-power-back.html

Totally agree. If you have time to read my essay on the film, and drugs and violence on film in general, please do. Thanks.

http://filmscool9.blogspot.com/2011/06/take-power-back.html

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