by Sneha Hazarika

Cast- Fardeen Khan, Esha Deol, Isha Koppikar, Zakir Hussein
Director- Ram Gopal Verma
Rating- ** (average)

This is one of the very different films to come out of Ram Gopal Varma's Factory. Don't expect to get the chills and thrills of ‘Raat', ‘Bhoot' or ‘Vaastu Shastra' here. Though the treatment here is similar to that of Bhoot (story of a ghost haunting a flat in the heart of the city), ‘Darling' has been made as a horror film with a comic element in it.

Aditya Soman (Fardeen Khan) is a young executive officer who seems to have it all- a homely wife Ashwini (Isha Koppikar) at home and a hot wild secretary cum girlfriend Geeta (Esha Deol) at work. He meets her in secret and his wife doesn't have the slightest idea about it.

Until one fine day on a weekend getaway when she reveals that she is pregnant. An argument ensues which gets violent leading to her death and in a fit of panic Aditya leaves the place after disposing off her body.

But the worst for him has just begun, when Geeta returns as a ghost to haunt him and jeopardize his life. Also there are the people from the crime branch investigating the case making things extra difficult for him.

The problem lies in the fact that the viewer here might go with the expectation of checking out a true blue horror film but chances are, he would come out disappointed as here there is more comedy than horror.

There are a few interesting moments in the film, but then all in all the movie doesn't have much to take away home. Also some portions of the movie drag.

Fardeen Khan performs well as the haunted man, who is scared out of his wits with the constant presence of a ghost in his life. It's a change to watch Isha Koppikar in a simple Maharastrian wife's attire and she is in character, though she comes across as little loud at times.

Esha Deol as the ghost gets to do something different, that of a sad woman betrayed in love, a devastated soul and she puts in a sincere performance. She pulls it off really well and must say Ms Deol can be versatile too, if she wishes to.

Same goes for Zakir Hussein who otherwise plays villainous characters, as herein he gets a chance to try something different as Fardeen's colleague with this habit of lusting after women. Upendra Limaye as the crime inspector and his female colleague are interesting to watch on screen.

Amit Roy's cinematography (which resembles 'Bhoot' and 'Raat') helps the cause of the movie. The background music is okay and so is the editing. The promotional songs of the movie have already appealed to the masses.

One can call ‘Darling' a niche movie which should appeal to a section of the audience that is ready to try out the experimental cocktail of comedy and horror. Hardcore horror film fans can give this one a miss though.