The air of anticipation has enveloped Hindi cinema as the new horror thriller, ‘Shaitaan,’ is about to make its entrance into theatres. Helmed by director Vikas Bahl, the film presents a tantalizing mix of black magic and hypnotism with a stellar cast comprising the likes of Ajay Devgn, Jyotika, and R Madhavan. The buzz around ‘Shaitaan’ has been growing, and Jyotika, who essays the role of a mother in the film, opened up about her experience and the emotional layers of her character.
Jyotika is no stranger to maternal roles, with life imitating art, as she is a mother herself. She discloses, “There are many scenes in ‘Shaitaan’ that evoke a deep sense of motherhood. Although I’m hesitant to divulge much, I can share that one particular sequence served as a pivotal reason for my acceptance of this role.” The actress notes the underlying message of the film, emphasizing the sheer weight of responsibility shouldered by parents in protecting their adolescent children from the myriad of challenges they face.
The film is said to journey along with these parental responsibilities, creating an empathetic connection with audiences, especially those who are parents. Jyotika reflects, “As a mother, that continuous impulse to safeguard your child is an emotion that permeates throughout the film. I believe it resonates with the instinct every parent harbors instinctively.”
During the trailer launch, Jyotika had unveiled more about her character. “The might of a mother when it comes to her children is monumental. Looking at my daughter, who bears a resemblance to Janki (Bodiwala), ignited those maternal feelings effortlessly. This intensity is magnified in the context of the movie, with the plot rooted in realism, fostering a more profound sense of dread than any supernatural presence,” she asserted.
‘Shaitaan’ promises not only to be a soul-stirring representation of maternal strength but also marks a milestone as a Hindi adaptation of the critically-acclaimed Gujarati film ‘Vash.’ The collaboration for the film’s production has been extensive, with Jio Studios, Ajay Devgn Ffilms, and Panorama Studios International backing the project, and production credits going to Devgn, Jyoti Deshpande, Kumar Mangat Pathak, and Abhishek Pathak. Adding to the film’s allure is the musical score by the renowned Devi Sri Prasad.
This project marks Jyotika’s much-awaited return to Bollywood after a long hiatus. Her last Hindi film appearance was in 1998 with ‘Doli Saja Ke Rakhna,’ which also earned her a Filmfare nomination. Predominantly acclaimed for her roles in Tamil cinema, Jyotika’s comeback with ‘Shaitaan’ after over two decades is an exciting event for her fans across industries.
Viewers might recall the on-screen chemistry between Jyotika and R Madhavan, who have previously shared the screen in successful southern films such as ‘Dumm Dumm Dumm’ (2001) and ‘Priyamaana Thozhi’ (2003). Their reunion in ‘Shaitaan’ brings an added level of excitement and nostalgia for fans of their earlier work.
As the countdown to the release of ‘Shaitaan’ begins, Jyotika’s revelations have undoubtedly heightened the curiosity and eagerness amongst movie-goers. The film, with its promise of a gripping narrative and emotional depth, stands poised to break the drought of horror thrillers in Hindi cinema and deliver on the expectations set by its pre-release buzz.
