Bhoothnath is quite a confused piece of cinema. It starts off as a Ramsay Brothers spook fest, then immediately changes tracks and turns into a typical Bollywood kiddie film. Then again, towards the end, not quite happy with catering to children alone, it transforms into a Baghban-like weepie. Perhaps director Vivek Sharma’s intention was to make a one-size-fits-all family film but it doesn’t quite work so well, each strand hanging loose and limp.
Aditya, Anjali (SRK, Juhi) and their son, Banku (Aman) land up in Goa in Nath Villa, a mansion that Aditya’s company has got him on lease. While he goes off on his cruise liner, the mother and son are left to make a home out of this house that the rest believe is haunted. So, from the shadows emerges the ghost of Mr Nath (Big B), who snarls, scowls and shows off his overgrown nails. Braveheart Banku tames him with some tricks and tears. Just as their bond grows, Nath’s son lands up from America to sell the house. However, Bhoothnath refuses to let go of it. Why? Well, it’s the same old empty nest syndrome story—parents in their old age neglected by NRI kids.
There are a few genuinely sweet moments and rather smooth special effects, which seemed to be going down really well with the kids. Like how Banku tricks Bhoothnath into cleaning up the entire house. Or how the sketch of a lion twirls its tail and walks out of the class blackboard. Similarly, Bhoothnath telling the young one how hard work, rather than magic, makes you a good sportsman is preachy in quite a nice, sincere way.
Big B is his usual efficient self but you wonder why he’s picking up such minor films when he can afford to be choosy. It’s way too minor a film for SRK as well, who seems least interested, acting visibly half-heartedly. Juhi seems to be in the film for giving play to her Kurkure brand of snacks. As for the child, well he is a typical Bollywood kid who can be best described with the Bengali word paaka (precocious). He is confident and cheeky and dances extremely well to gangsta rap. However, isn’t it disturbing to see children trying to be mini adults than themselves?
High Fives
Bollywood
1. Bhoothnath
2. Tashan
3. Jimmy
4. Mr White Mr Black
5. U Me Aur Hum
Hollywood
1. Iron Man
2. What Happens in Vegas...
3. Speed Racer
4. Made of Honor
5. Baby Mama
Classical Albums
1. Cielo E Mar (Rolando)
2. Andre Riew in Wonderland (Riew)
3. Schoenberg: Violin Concertos (Hahn)
4. The Magic of Lang Lang (Lang Lang)
5. Voce D’Italia: Arias for Rubini(J. Florez)
Courtesy: Film Information
