Anvatt Movie Review

Plot: Vinay (Adinath Kothare) and Madhura (Urmila Kanetkar) decide to spend a year in a remote village as per Vinay’s late grandfather’s wish. As days pass by, the couple encounters strange experiences.


Review: Anvatt is a story of a doctor named Vinay who along with his archaeologist wife Madhura embarks on a journey to treat residents of a village located far away from the modern amenities of city life. It has all elements of a psychological thriller and is backed by splendid camera work and music much like ‘Sau Shashi Deodhar’ and ‘Akalpith’.


Vinay’s grandfather’s last wish is for the newlyweds to spend a year after their marriage helping villagers. Taking this as an opportunity to spend quality time in picturesque surroundings, the couple reaches the village where they meet Kamat (Makarand Anaspure) who becomes their guide and helping hand. As Vinay dedicates time to cure the folks and gather material for his research, Madhura indulges in her other love interest-photography. She explores the hundred-year-old house that they are put up in and the surroundings. After seeing the photos, the caretaker of the house asks her to get rid of them as they will invite an unwanted spirit that looms the place. Vinay and Madhura refuse to do so and that’s when things go awry.


Coming from Gajjendra Ahirey’s stables, one expects a brilliant storyline and equally great execution. Sadly, the film only has glimpses of these. The story looks Hitchcock-influenced but has nothing that we haven’t seen before. It is quite predictable apart from a few twists here and there. Though the music builds up suspense and camera angles promise to infuse fear, the scenes get predictable.


But the performances from all actors are worth a standing ovation. Adinath proves that he is not just a good-looker but can emote well too. Ditto is the case with Urmila who looks every bit the hassled wife torn between her faith on her husband and the fear of the unknown. Makarand Anaspure is the surprise package here. The various layers of his complex character offer him a wide scope of acting unlike his typical comic roles. Vibhawari Deshpande’s role is small but important.


Overall, Anvatt is a combination of 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' and 'Psycho' minus the unexpected shocks and surprises. Watch this one for the performances.