Ek Thi Daayan - 2013

Introduction 

The gripping and tense psychological thriller Bollywood movie Ek Thi Daayan explores the worlds of otherworldly terror. This 2013 Hindi-language film from India was produced by Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor, Rekha Bharadwaj, and Vishal Bhardwaj and was directed by Kannan Iyer. Ek Thi Daayan mesmerized viewers with its distinctive fusion of mysticism, folklore, and human psychology. Emraan Hashmi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Huma Qureshi, and Kalki Koechlin, who also star in the movie, give sterling performances that add to the tension and complexity of the story. With its spooky soundtrack, atmospheric cinematography, and a plot that seamlessly weaves together past and present, Ek Thi Daayan takes viewers on a chilling journey that explores the sinister depths of witchcraft, love, and betrayal. 

Witness dark secrets and unearthly encounters that lie within the shadows as the film uncovers the mysterious connection between a magician's troubled past and the eerie presence of a daayan, a malevolent witch.

Table of Content 

• Details

• Plot 

• Release

• Reviews

• Casting

• Crew

• Character Analysis

• Songs

• Behind the Scenes

• Controversy

• Box Office Collection

• Awards

• Interesting Facts

• How to Book a Personalised Celebrity Message from a celebrity similar to celebrities from Ek Thi Daayan on Tring?

Details 

Plot 

The story begins with adult Bobo (played by Emraan Hashmi) struggling with recurring nightmares and irrational fear of witches. As a well-known illusionist, Bobo frequently uses dark magic in his performances which stems from his interest in the supernatural.

While dealing with his own demons, Bobo meets and falls in love with Tamara (played by Huma Qureshi), a beautiful woman who is skeptical of his supernatural beliefs. Bobo's life takes a dramatic turn when he encounters a mysterious woman named Diana (played by Konkona Sen Sharma), who is rumored to be a Daayan (witch) possessing supernatural powers.

Diana becomes the focal point of Bobo's nightmares and his growing paranoia. As he delves deeper into the mystery surrounding Diana, he uncovers disturbing connections between his past and the present. With the help of a psychiatrist named Dr. Palit (played by Kalki Koechlin), Bobo attempts to unravel the truth behind Diana's existence and her connection to his childhood trauma.

As Bobo's investigations intensify, he discovers a dark coven of witches led by a powerful entity, and Diana's true identity is revealed. Bobo must confront his deepest fears and use his magic skills to protect himself, Tamara, and those he cares about from the clutches of the daayan.

The film combines elements of psychological suspense, horror, and supernatural thrills as Bobo battles his inner demons, confronts his childhood trauma, and faces off against the forces of darkness. It explores the themes of belief, fear, love, and the power of one's own mind in the face of supernatural events.

Release

Ek Thi Daayan is said to be based on a real cult and was released on 18th April 2013 and distributed by Balaji Motions Pictures. The budget for this film was around 24-26 crore rupees. It collected 40.25 crore rupees at the box office which is almost double the invested money. 

Feel free to watch the movie online on Amazon Prime Video. It is also available for free on Disney+Hotstar.   

Reviews

The film's strongest aspect is its atmospheric and eerie tone. The director, Kannan Iyer successfully creates a sense of foreboding throughout the narrative, effectively using shadows, dim lighting, and haunting background music to enhance the suspense. The portrayal of witches, their rituals, and the supernatural elements are visually captivating and add depth to the storyline.

Emraan Hashmi delivers a commendable performance as Bobo, effectively capturing the character

Ek Thi Daayan received a harsh 32% audience score and a fairly high critics rating of 80% on Rotten Tomatoes

Casting 

• Emraan Hashmi as Bejoy Charan Mathur - Magician Bobo

• Huma Qureshi as Tamara

• Konkona Sen Sharma as Diana Daayan

• Kalki Koechlin as Lisa Dutt

• Pawan Malhotra as Mr. Mathur (Bobo's dad)

• Rajatava Dutta as Dr. Ranjan Palit

• Bhavesh Balchandani as Zubin

• Sara Arjun as Misha Mathur (Bobo's sister)

• Vikas Shrivastav as Police Inspector

Crew

• Director: Kannan Iyer

• Producers: Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor, Rekha Bharadwaj, Vishal Bharadwaj

• Cinematography: Saurabh Goswami

• Music: Songs by Vishal Bharadwaj, Score by Clinton Cerejo

• Editor: A. Sreekar Prasad

• Production Company: ALT Balaji, VB Pictures

Character Analysis

• Emraan Hashmi as Bobo

Bobo is a magician with a troubled past, haunted by a traumatic childhood incident involving a witch. This incident has left him scarred, leading him to become obsessed with the existence of witches. He is portrayed as a complex character with a range of emotions and vulnerabilities.

Despite his inner struggles, Bobo exhibits determination and resourcefulness. Bobo's character is characterized by his protective and loving nature, particularly towards his younger sister. This love for his sister becomes a driving force in his quest to confront his fears and unravel the supernatural occurrences around him.

Throughout the film, Bobo undergoes a journey of self-discovery and redemption. He confronts his own psychological struggles and learns to differentiate between reality and his perception of it. This evolution adds depth to his character and showcases his growth as he faces the demons of his past.

• Huma Qureshi as Tamara

Tamara is introduced as a confident and independent woman who becomes romantically involved with the main protagonist, Bobo. Her character brings a sense of stability and love into Bobo's life.

Tamara is portrayed as a caring and compassionate person who stands by Bobo throughout his journey of facing his fears and unraveling the mystery surrounding the daayans (witches). She supports him emotionally and tries to help him overcome his traumatic past. 

Huma Qureshi's portrayal of Tamara adds depth to the character, as she displays a range of emotions from love and affection to confusion and vulnerability. Tamara's character is presented as a strong-willed woman who becomes entangled in the supernatural elements surrounding Bobo's life. 

Without giving away too much of the story, Tamara's character undergoes significant development, and her role in the narrative takes unexpected twists and turns. Her presence adds a layer of mystery and intrigue to the film, keeping the audience engaged and guessing about her true nature.

• Konkani Sen Sharma as Diana (Daayan) 

Diana is introduced as a beautiful woman with an air of mystery surrounding her. Her seductive charm captivates Bobo the protagonist of the movie. She possesses supernatural powers and is adept at practicing dark magic. Her character adds a supernatural element to the film and creates an atmosphere of suspense and fear.

Diana's manipulative nature adds complexity to her character and keeps the audience guessing about her true intentions. Despite her wickedness, she shows moments of vulnerability and remorse. As the story unfolds, her character undergoes a transformation, and she starts questioning her actions. This humanizes her character and adds a layer of complexity. 

Overall Diana's character is a multidimensional character that embodies mystery, seduction, manipulation, and vulnerability. 

Songs

Behind the scenes

The makers of Ek Thi Daayan take you behind the scenes and talk about their overall journey of shooting the scenes. The director of this film - Kannan Iyyer talks about his choice of casting for the film as well. From spooky sets to bright colorful songs, the makers have talked about it all in the video.

Play

Controversy 

• The National Women's Commission summoned the producers of the film regarding Ipsita Roy Chakraverti's petition to ban the film. Apparently, she was upset regarding the negative portrayal of witches according to her.

Box Office Collection

Awards

Interesting facts

• Rani Mukherjee was offered a role in the film but rejected it.

• The movie is based on one of the short stories from Mobius Trips by Mukul Sharma.

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