Film Review: Gang of Ghosts will haunt you, and not in a good way

Film: Gang of Ghosts
Cast: Anupam Kher, Mahie Gill, Sharman Joshi, Meera Chopra, Asrani, Jackie Shroff, Saurabh Shukla, Rajpal Yadav
Director: Satish Kaushik
Rating: *1/2

What's it about
A remake of an acclaimed Bengali film Bhooter Bhabishyat, Gang of Ghosts is an attempt at social satire through the eyes of the deceased and their struggle to be able to retain their land and house in a time when every inch of property is worth a pot of gold. The film begins with a director (Parambrata Chatterjee) planning to shoot a commercial in what is believed to be a haunted mansion. He meets a budding writer (Sharman) who has a story that involves the spirit of the owner (Anupam Kher) who still haunts the mansion. We are the introduced to a bunch of ghosts who have different personalities and background. However, they are all working towards one motive of keeping the house and not facing eviction. There is a failed attempt to make commentary on current social trends and topics but the writing is so poor that the effort never takes off.

What's hot
The premise is definitely exciting and with a better script and direction the film would have definitely been a different story. There are a few scenes that might tickle your funny bone in the first half as we are introduced to the quirky traits of these ghosts. Anupam Kher is the only actor who manages to stand out in an otherwise crowded affair.

What's not
Just when writers are experimenting and trying to move ahead, Satish Kaushik has to deal with a script that borrows every tried and tested formula of the last few years and rehashes it with his over the top style. The special effects are below average, and the songs a total distraction from the main plot. Instead of giving us an insight into the times we live in, we are battered with cheesy, double meaning dialogues and garish loud scenes that are supposed to be funny!

What to do
A feeble attempt at remaking an interesting story, these ghosts will haunt you and I don't mean it in a good way!