'Pari' movie review: Will Anushka's scary gamble pay off?

When an A-list Bollywood actress leads a supernatural thriller and puts her money on it, you can't afford to miss it.

In spite of the trailer and multiple short screamers, there isn't much the viewers got to know about the story line of the film. Because that's what the makers intended to do -- keep the mystery intact. And that's what we will do in this review.

In Pari, Anushka Sharma dares to do what not many leading ladies would. She is comfortable to put on a battered, bruised look with blood spewed all over herself for the most part of the film. Revealing the plot would be a disservice, so we would just be touch upon it broadly.

Anushka isn't possessed but is part of a cult. She doesn't play dual roles as it might seem from the trailer, but isn't a ghost either. Within few minutes in the movie, she crosses paths with Parambrata Chattopadhyay, the actor you might remember from Vidya Balan's Kahaani. Known for his strong performances, Parambrata is in total control of his character and lends support to the leading lady.

In her bloodied self, Anushka gives you an overdose and it is to be seen if the audience embraces her daring act.

The film also stars the Bengali actress Ritabhari Chakraborty, who is Parambrata's fiancée in the film. Their scenes together don't leave any impact and seem unnecessary at times.

Eye gouges are never out of fashion for a horror film and here we have Rajat Kapoor popping out his eye and putting it in a glass of water. Considering his role was pivotal to the story line, much more time could have been spent on building up his character rather than the one-dimensional role he portrays.

And the scary faces we see in the trailer, covered in all black, keep making their appearance in the film but don't add to the horror meter. You need to watch the film to know their relevance to the plot.

The film isn't scary but it will leave you with an unsettled feeling. Pari has disturbing sequences -- like the birthing scene from the trailer -- that will gross you out and make you nauseous, at least the weak-hearted ones.

Like any typical horror film in Bollywood, Pari resorts to using loud noises sporadically to startle you but fails miserably.

Anushka climbs up, jumps on to humans, bites into dogs, hangs from the window, flies midair but doesn't really send shivers down your spine. All she manages to do is leave you disturbed.

Pari is Anushka Sharma's third outing as a producer after NH10 and Phillauri and is unlike any of her earlier roles. Will her gamble pay off at the box office? Only time will tell.

Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chatterjee, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor

Directed by: Prosit Roy

Ratings: 2.5/5

Now playing at theatres in the UAE
Watch our review below: