404

Director           Prawal Raman

Cast                 Rajvvir Aroraa, Tisca Chopra, Nishikant Kamat, Immaduddin Shah, Satish Kaushik

Year                2011

Genre              Drama

To what lengths would you go, to prove a point? Is proving to the world that your theory is right, only thing that matters to you? Do you believe in something so much that you would not care who comes in the way to ensure that the objective is met? Do you live by the adage – The ends justifies the means? One of two people who embody this spirit are Dr. Anirudh Kaushal (Nishikant Kamat) aka Charles to the dean of Dehradun Institute of Medical Sciences (DIMS) one of the leading institutes of medicine in the country.  The other one is Abhimanyu (Rajvvir Aroraa) who is a first year student of medicine and determined as hell.  Both professor and student are convinced that there is no such thing as the supernatural and that all of it is a figment of one’s imagination.  They are a product of the modern world and believers in science and definitely disbelievers in ghosts, spirits or anything remotely related to them.  And the good doctor’s next thesis is that on Bipolar Disorder – a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or more depressive episodes.  So when Abhimanyu decides to take on the legend on campus about the ghost of Gaurav Gupte which occupies Room 404, the doctor gives him all the support that he can.  Room 404 is opened 3 years after Gaurav committed suicide in it and a brave Abhimanyu moves in.

In what is probably the first attempt to make a movie on bipolar disorder in Bollywood, director Prawal Raman gives us some really scary moments through the lovely use of camera angles.  Just that the use of reflections on windows and cupboards and of course mirrors goes a tad over the top at times.  And so does the use of music.  It seems to be a common fallacy amongst Indian directors that deep resounding eerie music is the only way to generate thrill / fear in the audience.  So much so that they forget that some of the best movies to create horror in the minds of the viewer have used just ambient noise and silence.  But rest assured, Raman has come a fair distance after moving away from mentor Ram Gopal Verma with whom he made Darna Mana Hai and Darna Zaroori Hai.

The movie also touches upon aspects of ragging albeit in a good manner.  I say good because it doesn’t taint the concept hollow. I am of the opinion that ragging is one of the necessary evils of society.  I do not support going over the top but do not object to the healthy poking of fun of freshers into college.  I may have stirred a hornet’s nest here but that wasn’t the intent at all.

I have always maintained that a director’s task is significantly eased out with the right casting.  404 is no different.  Newbie Rajvvir Aroraa delivers a decent first movie.  And Satish Kaushik & Tisca Chopra are both effortless as always.  Immadudddin Shah in the role of the final year student Chris is calm and confident but a tad over the top.  Needless to say, the genes do show.  But a top notch performance from Nishikant Kamat is the hallmark of 404.  The role was initially offered to Farooq Shaikh if the reports on the net are to be believed.  I am sure Kamat is not complaining.

Solid performances coupled with able direction give you a 7 on 10 movie for your Sunday.  Be prepared for a hard hitting end.  Do not take your children along with you.  I was surprised to see 10 year olds in PVR Bangalore. Its definitely not for those below 18.

Watch the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACTrF8OGQ5k