Agyaat - Varma`s desi version of Hollywood thrillers

Agyaat - Varma`s desi version of Hollywood thrillers
Monday, August 03, 2009 13:46 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
If the year started off on a spooky note with "Raaz - The Mystery Continues", the first film from Ram Gopal Varma's stable this year is also an adventure thriller called "Agyaat". Releasing Friday, the film is inspired by Hollywood thrillers like "Predator", "Anaconda" and "Alien".

While Varma's last was the much-talked about dud "Phoonk - The Black Magic Story" that dealt with evil practices in the contemporary world, "Agyaat" is a thriller and not a horror flick.

"People are perceiving that 'Agyaat' is a horror film. I would like to make a point here that it's not a scary film. It's an adventure thriller," Varma had told.

Shot mostly in the Sigiriya jungles of Sri Lanka and the Athirapally forests in Kerala, the film is not only inspired by Hollywood thrillers, but also by real life, eerie incidents that Varma's unit members experienced while shooting his 2000 movie "Jungle" in the Bandipur reserved forest in Karnataka.

Produced by Varma and Ronnie Screwvala, "Agyaat" tells the story of a film unit on a shoot in a dense forest where the crew members start getting killed one by one under mysterious circumstances by an invisible creature.

"Hollywood has made thousands of such films about people stuck somewhere and getting killed under unknown reasons. I thought what if this time people don't see what is killing them... the idea was to compel them to use their own imagination as a weapon, which is more lethal," the filmmaker said.

"Agyaat" has an ensemble cast and includes Telugu actor Nitin Reddy and Priyanka Kothari in the lead.

The actors had a quite an experience shooting for the film - Priyanka had to share room with eight lizards for a month!

"I had to live with eight creepy lizards who used to roam around in my room. I can say that I'm braver now. Earlier, I used to be petrified if I used to see even one lizard in my room... but I had so many in close proximity in the same room in the jungle," the actress said.

"A lot of things happened with me during the shooting - like my ankle injury, elbow injury, then so many scratches, insect bites, et al. It's a part and parcel of a film like this," said the 25-year-old.

"Agyaat" has had its share of controversies too.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) asked Varma to re-edit a music track "Jai Shri Shambhu" from the film as it may encourage substance abuse. The track shows leading lady Priyanka puffing a 'chillum' (pipe) while she sings "Dum Maro, yeh hai Sahara".

Varma has snipped the scene for the small-screen audiences.

The music is a tad bit disappointing, but Varma's flair for good camera angles and impressive background scores might help "Agyaat" live up to the spine-chilling expectations of the audiences.
Varun Dhawan Unveils First Poster of 'Nain Matakka' Featuring Keerthy Suresh!

Varun Dhawan's upcoming film Baby John is already creating waves in the entertainment world. The latest buzz surrounds the highly anticipated track "Nain Matakka," and the excitement reached new heights when Varun shared the

Friday, November 22, 2024
'Agni' Trailer Unveiled: A Tribute to Firefighters' Bravery and Sacrifice!

The much-anticipated trailer for Agni, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, was released on Thursday, offering a gripping look into the world of firefighters, their bravery, and the sacrifices they make to protect

Friday, November 22, 2024
Sara Ali Khan Shares Fun BTS Moments from Ad Shoot, Invites Fans to Let Their Spirits Soar!

Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan recently took to Instagram to share a delightful behind-the-scenes (BTS) glimpse from her latest advertisement shoot, revealing her cheerful mood and creative spirit. In a playful and heartwarming post, Sara shared a video

Friday, November 22, 2024
Kartik Aaryan Enjoys Quality Time with 'Sea, Sand, and Sun' at IFFI Goa!

Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan, who is currently in Goa for the prestigious International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and Filmazaar, took a moment to unwind and connect with nature. The actor shared a series of serene pictures on his Instagram, showcasing

Friday, November 22, 2024
Shehnaaz Gill Starts Shooting for Punjabi Film: A New Journey Begins!

Actress and social media sensation Shehnaaz Gill is all set to embark on a new chapter in her career, as she commences shooting for her upcoming Punjabi film. The actress shared her excitement with her fans on Instagram, marking this milestone

Friday, November 22, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT