Director: Vivek Sharma
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Aman Siddiqui, Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, Satish Shah, Rajpal Yadav
Information: Contains mild scary moments
Film certificate: PG
Running time: 136 mins
Release date: 9 April by EROS International
Rating: 4/5
Bhoothnath is a light-hearted ghostly tale about Kailash Nath (Amitabh), a spirit inhabiting in an old, secluded, run-down villa in Goa.
Nath haunts the living daylights out of anybody who dares take up residence.
But all this changes when one family moves in - mischievous son Banku (Aman), his work-shy mum Anjali (Juhi) and easy-going dad Aditya (Shah Rukh).
But what the ghost is not prepared for is his unlikely friendship with Banku, who must investigate the reason why his imaginary friend is stuck in limbo, and help him attain salvation.
Debut director Vivek Sharma succeeds in making an engaging and entertaining movie defying all Bollywood norms, and appealing to children and adults alike.
Brilliant special effects, coupled with eerie cinematography and a haunting musical score cleverly transforms a scary Bachchan into a lovable 'bhoot' (meaning ghost) craving salvation.
Aman Siddiqui, as the ever-so-naughty but adorable Banku, gives an applaud-able performance alongside the likes of Bachchan.
King Khan (in a brief guest appearance) brings a lump to your throat with his teary-eyed dramatic scenes, while Juhi Chawla's brilliant comic timing as Banku's mum has you in stitches!
Co-star Satish Shah (as Banku's headmaster) will be loved by the younger audience due to his Billy Bunter type attitude... while Rapal Yadav's character reminds you of the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz!
All-in-all Bhoothnath is an entertaining, emotional and sensitive piece of film making from BR Films and long may it reign at the UK box office!
Reviewed by Manish Gajjar
BBC Bollywood Correspondent
