Article Updated 17 April, 2004 03:56:33 AM IST   Krishna Cottage - Pooh! By Prema K. ©2004 Bollyvista.com   The two stars are for the impressive visual effects. The rest of the film leaves a lot to be desired. It opens with Professor Das (Raj Zutshi) launching his book, 'Kahi Ankahi Batein'. He presents a copy to the college (why does the college have a deserted look perpetually making it look like a perfect set for a horror film rather than studies? No teachers at all!) A year later strangely the Prinicipal locks up the book in the storeroom and warns the peon against opening the door (as the film progresses you will realize why the book is hidden here but by then you will also wonder why it is not destroyed!). Enter Manav (Sohail Khan) and Shanti (Natassha). They are introduced in the popular Bindaas item number on the beach. (How we wish Shanti had undergone liposuction to drain off all her puppy fat. Her costumes only reveal the layers of fat instead of her curves. So no paisa vasool for our frontbenchers! They have surely seen better girls in music videos.) The next scene introduces their friends Tully (Vrajesh Hirjee), Kabir (Ali Hasan), Nupur (Divya Pallat), and Armaan (Hiten Tejwani). Soon Disha (Ishaa Koppikar) makes her entry into the college campus and strange vibes pass between Manav and her. Tully is besotted by her and wants to date her. But she has eyes only for Manav. Manav and Shanti invite her to their engagement party that evening (strange but never heard of college kids getting engaged!). A chandelier falls off the ceiling soon after Shanti arrives at the party and Manav dives to save her from its impact. The others escort a thoroughly shaken up Disha home, where they crash into a wall of ice (now where did that come from?). They are forced to spend the night at a nearby deserted house (that's where the film derives its name), where strange things begin to happen. Disha admits to having a dead boyfriend, Amar Khanna, who is haunting her. (A viewer with two grey cells will guess that Manav is a reincarnation of Amar. The vibes between Manav and Disha make it more than obvious.) Gradually, Manav is drawn towards Disha, which naturally makes Shanti insecure. Their friends add fuel to the fire. Tully lays his hands on the forbidden book and gives it to Nupur who loves to read. Even as Nupur finishes reading the book, she realizes a secret about Amar Khanna. She is killed (neither her family not her friends discover this. Strange!) Next to go is Kabir as he too has read the book. What is it about the book? Who is Disha? How is it possible for Manav to hug a ghost? How is it possible for a spirit to render a clairvoyant powerless? All the characters live alone in palatial houses. And why is Disha on a vendetta? Believe me, you will be much happier if you let these questions remain unanswered. It is a real letdown! The first half of the film is well executed but the second half tries to explain the reasons for the strange incidents in the first half is nerve-wracking. But the best part is that the end of it all it still leaves us with a lot of questions. Performances are strictly okay. If Ekta Kapoor thought she could pull off a 'Bhoot' on the audience then she has failed miserably! This is best branded as 'senseless horror'! ** (TWO STARS) *poor; **average; ***good; ****very good; *****excellent   close   Print this Article http://www.bollyvista.com   http://www.bollyvista.com/article/a/29/2348