Raaz: The Mystery Continues... (2009)

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Blistering performances.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

This movie looked very promising from the previews and trailers, but the overall effect is just boring. There are many flaws in this movie, one of them being editing. This movie could have been cut off , especially some of the horror scenes could be cut down a little bit. The story is..Nandita (Kangana Ranaut)is a model who is very successful. An artist,Prithvi (Emraan Hashmi) paints pictures of Nandita, whom he doesn't even know.When he tries to explain to her, she doesn't believe it.But she is forced into believing it when one by one each and every painting of her comes true. She tries explaining to her boyfriend,Yash (Adhyayan Suman) who doesn't believe it. Now the first half is very nicely done,but the flaws are mainly in the second half, especially the climax.1 point for Kangana Ranaut, 1 for Enraan Hashmi, 1 for some of the so-so scary scenes,1 for the songs, and 1 for the overall idea.= 5 stars

Horror Genre in Hindi Cinema has improved and impressed in the last few years and we have now entered a new phase leaving behind the pioneer makers of horror movies in India, The Ramsay Brothers. Mohit Suri, the director of "Kalyug", now comes up with his "Raaz - The Mystery Continues" and tries his skill in a different subject than his earlier movies. Though his direction is competent but the movie is not as convincing as his earlier ones.First of all you cannot categorize "Raaz" as a horror movie, because it does not scare you enough. On the other hand it is a suspense thriller with a secret to unfold towards the climax. Though there are some spooky scenes with a story of a spirit taking its revenge, but you don't feel scared or haunted while watching the movie. In fact the suspense and secret is quite entertaining but its not spine chilling which makes you sit straight with your jaws open. So it was not right on the part of its producers to promote it as a solid horror movie. The story is about a girl (Kangna) who gets possessed by a spirit who wants to take revenge from his killers. Adhyaman is her boyfriend who does not believe in the supernatural and is also involved in the crimes done in the past. Emraan Hashmi is a painter who gets glimpses of the future sequences which are going to happen with Kangna, so he wants to help her out of it. Emraan is also related to the spirit and the revenge but is ignorant about it.The movie starts at a very slow speed with all unwanted scenes related to the love affair between Kangna and Adhyaman. And it only catches up as Emraan and the supernatural theme is introduced. Story wise its not a novel theme but is handled well by Mohit in his first attempt in the Suspense/Horror Genre.If you are not a fan of English & World Cinema then you may find many sequences worth watching and entertaining. But those cinema lovers who have got their dose of Asian Horror movies (Thai/Japanese) would find it all cliché and not good enough. Screenplay is tightly written towards the end but is quite weak at the start. Cinematography is fine with some good effects too.In the acting department Kangna gets most of the marks once again after "Fashion". She again is featured here as a ramp model but she is top rate as a scared girl. Her scene where she abuses the spiritualist/politician sitting in the first row of a fashion show is the best scene of the movie. You will be surprised to hear the language used in that scene impressively as it will shake you well on your seats. Adhyaman Suman is just OK with not so impactful with his dialogues and dances. He does a much better job towards the end as the villain.Emraan Hashmi once again proves that he is quite capable of carrying a solo hero movie and can also bring in the crowds on the first day itself. The opening of this movie strengthens his creditability with the producers to more higher levels. He impresses throughout the movie more with his eyes and expressions. The movie is sure going to add more numbers to his fan following with his stylish new look. It was refreshing to see Jackie Shroff in a special appearance and he acted fine. Musically, "Mahi" song is already a Hit and the other tracks are also soothing to the ear while watching the movie.One point which goes in favour of the movie is the depth with which "Mohit" uses the Couplet of Kabir "Bura Jo Dekhan Main Chala". The reference to these lines beautifully explains the trauma faced by Kangna in the end scene.But the main point which works against the movie is that it is not a solid Horror movie as publicized by the producers. It is more like a Hitchcock suspense thriller with great sound effects and shocking secrets. There are certain unanswered question too in the movie, like there is no explanation given to the scene where Kangna insults the Politician in her fashion show (Why she did that?). If the script and narration was written more towards the horror factor, and more scary scenes then this could have been a big crowd puller. But for now it is just an OK, time pass movie, which can be watched if you have nothing else to do for a few hours.Lastly as per the tradition of Vishesh Films, "Raaz" is also an inspired movie with inspirations coming from more than one movie. The horror scenes (bathtub scene & the Well in the end) are inspired from "The Ring". The hidden roof floor in the house inspired from "The Grudge". The future prediction plot inspired from "The Final Destination" Series Movies. And the main secret of the movie which is told in the climax is inspired from Julia Roberts "Erin Brockovich" where she is also investigating about the water of an area getting contaminated due to the Energy & Gas plant running nearby. Sounds Familiar….

Thank god its not pathetic as "1920", which was more like spoof of some English horror movies. I would like to call Raaz-2 as one good supernatural thriller after years in Hindi (mind it i have called it as a thriller instead of horror). While making horror movies the most difficult part is to uncover the secret in the end and still keeping the fear alive for audience. Raaz-2 actually comes well till the point where it uncovers the mystery but after the mystery is unfolded, the last 15 mins goes like picnic for audience i.e. without any fear. To me a good horror movie is one which delivers fear till its last scene and gets over with an unended fear in your heart, i think raaz-2 falls a little short to deliver that, which fortunately looked good in Raaz (2002), as it was also a happy ending too.Music, camera, Special Effects, are good and above of all the story is fresh. Which is the biggest plus point for the movie, Because least expected from a horror movie is a story which is already known to audience. Some sequences used by director are type-casted and are being copied from some English movies like Ring-1 & Ring-2. To me director looks like a big fan of J-Horrors :), hence Raaz-2 can be said as a Hindi version of some J-Horror.Kangana did a great job and Emraan & Adhyayan Suman also suits well in their respective roles. I would say in overall its a good attempt from the Raaz team who finally delivered a Hindi movie with good story and a positive message in the end. I would rate it as 7 out of 10, worth a watch.

In a brilliantly executed shot, Kangana casually looks for some pills in her cloak, while her image in the mirror is standing still.Raaz-The Mystery Continues is filled with several such spooky moments – some work, some don't. Bhatt camps' sequel to the surprise 2001 hit Raaz has no relation whatsoever to the Bipasha Basu-Dino Morea flick. Except that both films are essentially murder mysteries with some edge-of-the-seat moments.Much like comedy, watching a horror flick also requires some suspension of disbelief. RTMC is a clever blend of superstition, mythology with social maladies and religious politics. The plot flows like a thriller - filled with enough twists and turns to keep you engaged. The makers have clearly kept a mass audience in mind. Because without getting too melodramatic, the narrative packs in a number of crowd pleasing, emotional sequences. This emotional link is handled competently in the climax which may not be as scary as expected but certainly not funny either.There's also a split second full-bodied nude shot of Kangana when she is thrown out of the bath tub. But it is executed with utmost aesthetic value.If you are a horror-suspense-thriller lover...just go for it...