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Introduction –
Although the title did stir our interest, it was the genre which forced us to review this short film. Horror or supernatural fiction is always an exciting proposal.
Synopsis –
Set in the early or mid-1990’s, judging by the cars which are used and the absence of mobile phones, Yatri Kripaya Dhyaan De opens up with a lone car meandering through a beautiful hilly terrain surrounded by tall trees and lush greenery ( presumably Munnar ). The car, a modified Vauxhall continues to snake its way around the twisty roads. Minutes later, and after a brief halt, the driver, Sumit ( Shaheer Sheikh ) sees a girl standing by the stalled car ( Premier Padmini aka old Fiat ). The girl asks for a lift. Sumit obliges.
The car then moves towards its destination. After a quick introduction, the girl, Nandita ( Shweta Basu Prasad ) questions Sumit about his profession. He says he is a medical coder. Although, his profession stumps her she agrees that to ride such a beautiful car ( Vauxhall ) one needs to work hard. And then she offers the details including the date and the company who launched it. It is enough to impress Sumit.
Few kilometers down the road, the topic shifts on ghosts. Nandita says she has encountered a ghost and then narrates her story. She then asks Sumit if he’s seen a ghost. Sumit says that although he’d never experienced one he did face a nightmarish situation. He then narrates that not long ago a murder took place at his “Home stay” and it had rattled him because the dead girl’s boyfriend or the murderer were never traced.
As soon as Sumit is through with his story, Nandita transforms (through actions and expressions) into a different person. She behaves as if she’s possessed by the girl who was murdered in Sumit’s Home stay. She argues and threatens Sumit. Unnerved and at his wits’ end he stops the car and jumps out…
Check out this short film streaming live on Amazon Mini TV.
Analysis –
Unfortunately, Yatri Kripaya Dhyan De didn’t impress us. The script lacked depth, the dialogs forced, stilted and the setting too somber for a horror film. Had it been shot at dusk and then gradually evolved into night, its impact would’ve been phenomenal. Except for the misty hills, designer clothes and good looking actors the film fails to offer that cinematic gratification.
Year of Release – 2022 | Director – Abhinav Singh | Story – Palomi Ghosh | Running Time – 16 Minutes | Availability – Amazon Mini TV