Review: Tamannaah & Raashii Khanna’s “Baak” – Half-hearted Horror Thriller

Tollywood Hungama Rating: 2.5/5

Starring: Sundar. C, Tamannaah Bhatia, Raashii Khanna, Kovai Sarala, Vennela Kishore, Sreenivas Reddy

Director: Sundar. C

Producer: Khushbu Sundar

Music Director: Hip Hop Tamizha

Cinematographer: E. Krishnasamy

Editor: Fenny Oliver

The fourth installment of the renowned Aranmanai franchise is now in theaters. In Telugu, it’s titled “Baak,” with Sundar. C as the lead and director, while Tamannaah Bhatia and Raashii Khanna play significant roles. Let’s delve into the film’s performance.

Story:

Shiva Shankar (Sundar C) is a dedicated lawyer. His world shatters when he discovers his sister Shivani (Tamannaah) has allegedly taken her own life. Meanwhile, Shivani’s husband dies mysteriously in a forest. Refusing to believe his sister’s supposed suicide, Shiva Shankar embarks on a quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding Shivani and her husband’s deaths. The film follows his journey.

Highlights:

“Bakk” distinguishes itself in terms of technical finesse within the Aranmanai franchise. The attention to visuals, background score, and production values is evident throughout, with the makers investing heavily to deliver quality on screen.

The horror effects are skillfully executed, and Hip Hop Tamizha’s background score significantly enhances the suspenseful moments. The film picks up momentum before the interval with a series of intriguing events, keeping the audience engaged.

Both halves offer exciting sequences with well-connected dots, particularly in the second half. Sundar C delivers a solid performance as the protagonist, while Tamannaah Bhatia leaves a strong impact despite her brief appearance. Raashii Khanna also shines in her role.

Drawbacks:

The primary issue lies in the inclusion of unnecessary comedy tracks. While aiming for a mass appeal, the slapstick comedy often feels forced and detracts from the overall impact. Vennela Kishore and Sreenivas Reddy’s antics, barring the climax, fail to resonate.

Similar to other films in the Aranmanai franchise, “Baak” follows a predictable template with nothing unique to offer. Despite its twists and technical values, the routine plot lacks novelty, potentially disappointing those seeking fresh content.

After a major reveal, the film becomes heavily predictable. Attempts to infuse emotional depth slow down the pace, resulting in a lag in the second half. Additionally, the concluding song feels unnecessary, and some scenes could have been trimmed for better pacing.

Technical Aspects:

“Baak” boasts strong technical elements, including Hip Hop Tamizha’s background score, E. Krishnasamy’s cinematography, and grand production values. While these are highlights, the editing could have been tighter.

Director Sundar C, while presenting an engaging narrative, falls short in managing the film’s tone. The serious segments with horror elements work well, but the comedy portions feel forced, disrupting the flow. Avoiding unnecessary comedy could have improved the film’s impact.

Verdict:

Overall, “Baak” offers a routine storyline akin to other films in the Aranmanai franchise. While the horror elements are commendable, the excessive comedy scenes hinder the film’s impact, adding little to the plot. The second half suffers from dull moments, and the climax could have been stronger. Despite its technical prowess, the film’s predictability and superfluous scenes make it a less than satisfying watch.

Tollywood Hungama Rating: 2.5/5