Sundar C, the actor and director, has introduced the fourth installment of the popular Tamil horror series “Aaranmanai,” following the success of the “Muni” series. While the first two movies of “Aaranmanai” were blockbuster hits, the third installment did not meet expectations. The latest film features glamorous actresses Tamannaah Bhatia and Raashii Khanna in a special song, generating buzz with their hot stills. Released simultaneously as “Aaranmanai 4” in Tamil and “Baak” in Telugu, this movie aims to captivate audiences with its horror and entertainment elements. Let’s see how it fares in entertaining the viewers!
Baak Story: In the film “Baak,” Shivani (played by Tamannah) tragically commits suicide, followed shortly by her husband’s death. Lawyer Siva Shankar (portrayed by Sundar.C) takes on the task of uncovering the mysterious circumstances surrounding his sister’s demise. As the investigation unfolds, shocking truths come to light, revealing the reasons behind Shivani’s suicide. “Baak” delves into the unanswered questions surrounding these events, promising to unravel a compelling and suspenseful narrative.
Performances: Sundar C, renowned for directing Rajinikanth‘s “Arunachalam,” has ventured into acting in occasional films but has struggled to find success as a protagonist, as seen in the movie “Baak.” Many feel that casting another senior or young hero in the role of Siva Shankar would have been more effective. While Tamannaah impresses with her performance, Raashi Khanna adds glamour to the film. However, the comedy tracks featuring Yogi Babu, Vennela Kishore, and Srinivasa Reddy fall short and detract from the overall movie experience. Their comedic elements end up being a downside for the film.
Technical Aspects: The standout feature of this movie is its cinematography, which excels with jump scare shots and innovative robotic shot technology rarely seen in mainstream South Indian horror films. Cinematographer Krishnasamy deserves praise for pushing boundaries in this aspect. The background music by Hip Hop Tamizha enhances the horror elements effectively. The technical team delivers top-notch work in production design, coloring, DI, and sound design.
Writer, director, and actor Sundar C skillfully crafts engaging climax and interval sequences. However, apart from these segments, the rest of the movie follows a predictable template, failing to fully captivate the mass audience. As a director and storyteller, Sundar C’s overall impact falls short, leaving room for improvement in delivering a more engaging and original narrative.
Analysis: The combination of Tamannaah, Raashikhanna’s glamour, and Sundar C’s comedy scenes may disappoint theatergoers. Beyond the technical aspects and glamour, the film’s storytelling and scene composition lack appeal, failing to resonate with the audience. Sundar C needs to recognize these shortcomings sooner rather than later to improve the film’s reception.
Verdict: Overall, “Baak” follows a familiar storyline akin to other films in the “Aranmanai” franchise. While the horror elements are well-executed, the excessive use of over-the-top comedy scenes significantly diminishes the film’s impact. These comedy sequences disrupt the film’s flow and contribute little to the plot. The second half of the movie lags at times, and the climax feels underwhelming. Despite strong technical aspects, the predictable script and unnecessary scenes make “Baak” a less-than-satisfying viewing experience.
Bottom Line: The striking “Baak”.
Rating: 1.5/5
