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Pari backdrop

Pari

2 March 2018Hindi2h 15m
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 19 scored reviews · 2 not rated

Anushka impresses, but Pari's horror ambitions are let down by a muddled script.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Anushka Sharma's lead performance
  • Criticised: Weak, incoherent screenplay and pacing

Audience

User score 6.6 out of 10 from 5 ratings, Mixed
Read 2 audience reviews ↓

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Critic consensus

What 20 critics are saying

Critical reception for Pari is mixed, with most reviewers acknowledging it as a distinct entry in Bollywood horror that avoids genre clichés, though opinions diverge sharply on its execution. Anushka Sharma's performance and the film's non-commercial, premise-driven approach drew the most consistent praise across reviews. The most common criticisms center on a weak, incoherent screenplay, an overlong and slow-building first half, and an unsatisfying resolution that undermines the film's promising setup. It is generally recommended only to dedicated fans of the horror genre rather than general audiences.

How the 19 scores spread

2 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 20 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (21)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    Film Companion

    Film review ·

    Pari asks the big question – are human beings in fact the biggest monsters? I say the biggest horror is a lame script.
  2. Top critic

    IBNLive

    Film review ·

    Pari doesn't come together in a coherent, satisfying way. There's a lot going on in the film, including references to true historical events from the subcontinent, and an over-dependence on old wives' tales about spirits and 'ifrits' and 'jinns'. What starts out interestingly, ends in a mess.
  3. Sify

    Film review ·

    When he perishes his false eye does a little dance of death on the floor. Like a child that will have its way even if the mother must be mortified in the process. And yes, we will never inhale the scent of an agarbatti in the same away again.
  4. Bollywood Life

    Film review ·

    If you love horror then Pari is a fitting tribute to the genre. I suggest sleeping with the lights on if you end up watching a late night show ! Yes, it's that good.
  5. APotpourriOfVestiges

    Film review ·

    Pari has its share of flaws. It runs for at least 15-20 minutes longer than it ideally should have.  The setup takes a major chunk of the film's first half and it is only in the second half that the movie begins to pick some pace. Pari has very good production values and features brilliant performances from Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, and Rajat Kapoor. There is no denying that Pari is a different kind of a horror film but it is certainly worth a watch for those looking for something refreshing.
  6. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    Hollywood, please take out the notepad and write down the stuff from Pari on how to make a non-cliched horror film. Surely one of the best in this genre & a must watch for the fans. Producer Anushka Sharma needs a special mention to make this possible.
  7. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    If you like horror as a genre, and prefer a genuine theme over sheer succession of scary sequences, you will like this one fascinating as it isn't bound by the diktats of commercial cinema.
  8. DNA India

    Film review ·

    Pari, as the tagline says, is 'not a fairy tale'. Those who love the horror genre can give it a try.
  9. Gulf News

    Film review ·

    Kapoor as the determined exorcist isn't an easy man to like, but that's his victory in such a film. Watch this if you are in the mood for a gore-filled horror film.
  10. Rediff

    Film review ·

    The best horror movies are ones that make you laugh as you scream -- laughing presumably at your own screaming -- but Pari doesn't operate on that level.
  11. Bollywood Hungama

    Film review ·

    ...has an interesting premise with a fair amount of chills and thrills. However, the weak screenplay and unnecessary blood and gore is off putting. At the box office, the film will appeal to the segment of audiences who enjoy the horror/gore genre of films.
  12. NowRunning

    Film review ·

    The hallmark of a good scary movie is that the scares come at you from all sides, fast and furious and do not allow you to breathe. This movie is slow to create the scary world, and even though you enjoy it, it takes too long to actually make you gasp for air. But what an awesome beginning for Anushka Sharma and Parambrata Chatterjee.
  13. Yahoo

    Film review ·

    Watch it if you dig the horror genre – Anushka's acting is definitely worth a dekko, as hubby Virat as already publicly proclaimed.
  14. Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    Pari appears puzzled as if they don't know how to end what they started. Anushka Sharma's film attempts to look different than usual 'bhoot ki film', but in the end, finishes right where 1920 Evil Returns or Alone did.
  15. Firstpost

    Film review ·

    Pari intelligently slips in socio-political commentary, addressing the Bangladesh refugee crisis. The underlying message that the film tries to bring home is that one's identity is not dictated by boundaries laid down either by humans, nature or even the supernatural. One may not realise the film's symbolic relevance while watching it, given its immersive treatment, but it does offer a resolution.

From our readers

Audience reviews (2)

5 ratings · user score 6.6

  1. 6/10

    Pari, a film by Prosit Roy, is a latest addition to the horror genre. Generally, Indian horror films have regular set patterns of execution with some creepy / spooky sound effects, revenge seeking saga, murder, extortionist bringing some remedies etc. A few of the Indian horror films which did well in the recent past are Raat, Bhoot, 1920, Raaz etc. Many times, what happens with the horror films is that it turns out to be a comedy, or it just turns out to be a screenplay with some forced logical plots. But, we have Pari, a supernatural horror film, which is with an exception of not using creepy / spooky sound effects and illogical plots, although, the screenplay gets incoherent at times. The film has reference of a supernatural creature 'Ifrit' of Arabic and Islamic culture. Ifrit means the most powerful and dangerous jinn. It also showcases devil-worshiping cult and women in chains. The film also addresses human issues that of romance, drama etc. Pari is certainly a different film, but it does not establish itself as one of the best engaging horror film. Pari starts slowly, it takes almost first half to build up the plot. The strength of this film is the performance of Anushka, who is horrifying, vulnerable, scary etc. Anushka is also one of the producer of this film (this is her third production attempt after NH 10 and Phillauri). Should Anushka try making a happy film next? The backdrop of the film is Kolkatta. Major incidents in the film are clubbed with rain too. Arnab (Parambrata Chatterjee) along with his parents is on his way back home after meeting Piyali (Ritabhari Chakraborty) as part of matchmaking process. His vehicle hits an old lady who is declared to be dead at hospital. Search for her relatives end up in Arnab's finding Rukhsana (Anushka Sharma) in shackles in an isolated house in the forest. The external world is new for me. Circumstances shape up in such a manner that Rukhsana starts staying in Arnab's house. Arnab's empathy goes with Rukhsana, but as expected, story takes a different turn, where Arnab gets to know another side of timid Rukhsana. Qasim Ali (Rajat Kapoor) is a Bangladeshi professor, who was once heading Qayamat Andolan. His motives seem ambiguous to the viewers in the beginning. But later on, it becomes clear. Watch the film to seek answers to these questions. Why Rukhsana was kept in shackles? What was the intention of Qasim Ali ? What was this Qayamat Andolan all about? How does Arnab's relationship with Piyali move ahead? How the climax shapes up? Pari, a supernatural horror film, certainly is different with an exception of not using creepy / spooky sound effects and illogical plots. It clubs the supernatural and human aspects. It had the potential to be a great engaging film. But it fails to be so due to slow pace, clichéd climax and incoherence in certain scenes. Watch it, if you want to watch a different film in the horror genre.

  2. Tejas NairMay 2018
    3/10

    Pari is a film that depends only on jumpscare sequences. There's a mysterious woman (Anushka Sharma) who is given refuge from her shackled and miserable life by Arnab (Parambrata Chatterjee), a young man about to get married. As Arnab tries to save and bring her back to life, he realizes that the woman might not be a human - with powers that could put our homegrown superhero Krrish to shame and other contemporary ghost spirits at her feet for mentoring. Sometimes unintentionally funny and always dull, director Prosit Roy's Pari is a collection of bits and pieces about black magic and voodoo experiments gone wrong. A snail-paced screenplay with only the aforementioned two characters at full display, it feels like Roy had a lot of things to say. Child sacrifice is only one among them, which not only makes Pari interesting but also socially relevant. Mismatches in the storyline, gaping plotholes about the characters, and absolutely no background about them further makes Pari a difficult and confusing watch. One would even go and buy popcorn and stay there because the screenplay moves like it has all day. Sharma is decent, but more than her it's Bollywood newbie Ritabhari Chakraborty who does a better job at impressing us. Chatterjee, on the other hand, looks like he's hungover, and delivers a cardboard performance. Rajat Kapoor is at his best, as always, but unfortunately none of these cast performances elevate the appeal of the film as a horror thriller. The backstory is not convincing and the present proceedings hardly entice you. Pari, therefore, is a messed-up story that does not know what to highlight and what to convey. TN.<br /> <br /> More at http://www.nairtejas.com

Credits

Cast & crew

Cast

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