Rewatched: Bhoot (2003)

All 80's and 90's kids (now adults) will forever cherish the 2000's era of Indian films. The filmmakers of this era were trying to carve a different path for themselves - switching from the "Masala" films to the content based films. Filmmakers wanted to skip the dance numbers and songs keeping the film tightly bound around the narrative. Most filmmakers were experimenting with different concepts, ground-breaking ideas, and darker themes rather than making the same romantic films. The early 2000's also marked the return of horror or supernatural genre of films. One of such iconic horror films was "Bhoot" (2003) which gained popularity and became a cult classic. 

Bhoot (2003) was directed by Ram Gopal Verma (RGV) who was one of the top movie makers of 90's and 2000's. RGV had made a horror movie in the previous decade called "Raat" which itself was a classic horror film. RGV after a stint of making crime thrillers made Bhoot and brought back the era of unforgettable horror flicks. I remember the popularity of Bhoot. The film was expected to fail but the audience made it blockbuster. I remember the hype of this film. All shows being sold out, all theatres wanting to have more number of shows for this film, and other films were pushing their release dates ahead to avoid clashes. Many people were scared after watching this film. They started feeling unknown presence in their houses. Some people died in the movie theatre due to the scary visuals. The theatres had offered attractive rewards to watch this film alone. I watched this film in theatre and I understood the hype. The film was exceptional.

I decided to rewatch this film in 2026 to test its relevance. Here's what I thought:

Storyline: The story is still extremely relevant. A couple moving into a new home and experiencing hauntings is an idea presented in several movies (eg, Conjuring series). However, here the couple is from a middle class family, living in a crowded city, and trying to find peace - these ideas still deeply connect with the audience. We are seeing relatable people and relatable circumstances in this film.

Add-on characters: All characters in this film are unique and memorable. Some characters may not be relevant, however each character makes an impact and feel connected to the story. These characters include:

• Old woman from the neighbouring apartment: Appears twice in the film. Has no dialogues and no role in particular. However, her presence still creates a deep mystery. Her presence creates more questions which remain unanswered.
• Manjeet's mother: Has a minor role which could have been excluded. Yet, the inclusion does not harm the film. Her presence shows the humane side of the paranormal.
• Manjeet's son: Has no importance in the film, such that he does not even have a name. He is regarded as "Manjeet's son" throughout the film. His character mainly shows the innocence.  

Supporting characters: Supporting characters even in their minor roles have been memorable. Each character has specific traits which make them unique. The maid (played by Seema Biswas) is outstanding in her role. Simple catchphrases "Aaj ka kaam khatam" or "Mujhe bahut darr lag raha hai" had gained popularity back then for their context to the story and are still remembered today. 

Atmosphere: The atmosphere of this film is perfect for horror genre. Film does not have any unnecessary effects like green light, fog, or mist to show ghost's presence. Surprising the film does not have any special effects or creepy prosthetic makeup. The film uses trees and shadows to create an eerie effect. Transition scenes use simple movements like the movement of elevator and car commute. Young and aspiring filmmakers should study this film to understand the atmosphere building. 

Background music: I did not like the background music of this film back then and hated it now as well. According to me, the background child's laughter, screams, and sobs were unnecessary. 

Wardrobe: Urmila's wardrobe is chef's kiss. Her outfits can have their own aesthetic board on Pinterest. The outfits are simple, classic, and timeless. 

Acting: All actors in their respective roles have delivered strong performances. The topmost performer is Urmila Matondkar. Her body acting is extraordinary. She transforms from a girl next door to a possessed woman in a split second. Her expressions and contorted body movements portray the possession with ease. She makes it look easy.

Pace: Bhoot is a slow burner. It will build the atmosphere, characters, and horror slowly but keeps the audience hooked to their seat till the end.

All in all, Bhoot still stood the test of time. It could very well be considered as a catalyst to revive the genre of horror in the Indian film industry. It is still one of the best horror films ever made. Watching it today did not make me feel that it was made over 20 years ago. It still looks fresh and relevant. It still can be enjoyed today. After 20+ years, it has the potential to induce nightmares.