Agyaat (transl. Anonymous) is a 2009 Indian Hindi-language horror film[1] directed by Ram Gopal Varma, starring Nithiin, Gautam Rode, Rasika Dugal, and Priyanka Kothari in the leading roles.[2][3] It follows a filmmaking crew stuck in a forest and struggling to survive after becoming the target of an unknown entity.
| Agyaat | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Ram Gopal Varma |
| Written by | Nilesh Girkar Puneet Gandhi |
| Produced by | Ronnie Screwvala Ram Gopal Varma |
| Starring | Nithiin Priyanka Kothari Gautam Rode Rasika Dugal |
| Cinematography | Surjodeep Ghosh |
| Edited by | Nipun Gupta |
| Music by | Songs: Imran-Vikram Bapi-Tutul Score: Amar Mohile |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | UTV Motion Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 102 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
The film was released on 7 August 2009.[4] It was dubbed and released simultaneously in Telugu as Adavi. The film was shot mainly at Sigiriya jungle in Sri Lanka, with some scenes in the Athirappilly forests in Cochin, Kerala, India.[5] In order to combat piracy, the film's DVD was simultaneously and exclusively released internationally.[6] It was a commercial disappointment, and the sequel Agyaat 2 teased in the end credits never materialized.[7][8]
Synopsis edit
A film unit goes for a shoot in a forest but breaks down deep in the jungle. Resulting in a four-day delay, the 9-member cast and crew of a Bollywood movie, including leading lady Aasha, and her egotistical co-star, Sharman Kapoor; decide to relax and take an outing with their guide, Setu. They end up at a picturesque spot and decide to spend the night there not realizing they will soon be stalked and brutally killed by an invisible and unknown beast and/or an extraterrestrial entity.
Cast edit
- Nitin Reddy as Sujal
- Gautam Rode as Sharman Kapoor
- Priyanka Kothari as Aasha
- Ravi Kale as Rakka
- Ishrat Ali as Moorthy
- Howard Rosemeyer as JJ
- Kali Prasad Mukherjee as Shekhar "Shaky"
- Rasika Dugal as Sameera
- Joy Fernandes as Sethu
- Ishtiyak Khan as Laxman
Music edit
| Song | Music | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Jai Shiv Bum Shambhu" | Imran-Vikram | Prashant Pandey | Runa Rizvi & Bonnie Chakraborty | 5:06 | Song starring Gautam Rode and Priyanka Kothari |
| "Kiss You Day And Night" | Imran-Vikram | Sandeep Singh | Bhaven, Banjotsana & Earl | 4:34 | Song starring Nitin Reddy and Priyanka Kothari |
| "Koobsurat" | Bapi-Tutul | Prashant Pandey | Shweta Pandit & Vicky B. Joshi | 4:41 | Song starring Nitin Reddy and Priyanka Kothari (Not included in the film) |
| "Sunsakte Ho" | Bapi - Tutul | Sarim Momin | Shweta Pandit | 3:49 | Background piece |
| "Jungle Jungle" | Imran-Vikram | Sarim Momin | Jankee & Imran | 3:43 | Promotional song starring Priyanka Kothari |
| "Na Koi" | Bapi - Tutul | Prashant Pandey | Keka Ghoshal & Bapi Tutul | 3:50 | Background piece |
| "Kiss Mix" | Imran-Vikram | Sandeep Singh | Bhaven, Banjotsana, Earl & Jankee | 3:43 | Remix |
Reception edit
Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN gave 3/5 (Watchable) for director Ramgopal Varma's Agyaat; Masand states "At a time when special effects and digital tricks can be used to create just about anything, here's a reminder that what really scares us is the stuff we can't see".[9]
Nikhat Kazmi of Times of India gave 3/5 and noted "It neither thrills nor chills with its repetitive running-for-life sequences and its absolutely infuriating end which offers no explanation whatsoever for the scurrying and screaming".[10]
Subhash K Jha (IBOS) gave 3.5/5 noting "Jungle fever has never been more contagious. Every corner of the Sri Lankan jungle as shot with mesmeric skill by the cinematographer Surjodeep Ghosh is filled with danger."[11]
Taran Adarsh gave this movie a rating of 3/5 saying "Ramgopal Varma thinks differently. This time too, the maverick film-maker defies the stereotype and takes to the dense forests of Sri Lanka to meet an 'unknown' force" and explains further "But let's clear the misconception at the very start. Agyaat is no supernatural thriller (like Phoonk) or a horror fest (like Bhoot). This one's more of an adventure thriller that doesn't scare you at all, but makes you a participant in a pulse-pounding journey".[12]
References edit
- ^ a b "Agyaat". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
- ^ "Ramu's Agyaat". Keralaonline. Archived from the original on 2 May 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2009.
- ^ "My next film is a biography called 'Rakta Charitra': RGV". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 17 April 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2009.
- ^ Bollywood Hungama
- ^ "ram gopal varma". Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
- ^ "Agyaat's DVD would be out on its release date!". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
- ^ "Agyaat - Movie". Box Office India.
- ^ Arikatla, Venkat (7 August 2009). "Agyaat Review: Unfinished Factor Product". Great Andhra. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ "Agyaat Review - CNN-IBN". CNN-IBN. 7 August 2009. Archived from the original on 10 August 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
- ^ "Agyaat Review". The Times of India. 7 August 2009. Archived from the original on 10 August 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
- ^ "Agyaat Review - Indian Express". The Indian Express. 7 August 2009. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
- ^ "Agyaat Review - Sify". Sify. 7 August 2009. Archived from the original on 10 August 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
