Bollywood has seen its fair share of horror films over the decades, from the classic black-and-white chills of the 1950s to the scream-inducing movies of the Ramsay Brothers in the 1980s. While horror-comedy has recently dominated the genre, there remains a dedicated audience for pure horror thrillers. Enter A Wedding Story, directed by Abhinav Pareek, a film that tries to revive the fear factor with a fresh storyline rooted in Indian superstition.
Plot Summary: A Clash of Tradition and Modern Beliefs
A Wedding Story begins with a tragedy in the Bhardwaj family as Tarun Nain (played by Lakshvir Saran) returns home after his father’s untimely death during the ominous Panchak period. According to Vedic astrology, a death during Panchak is considered highly inauspicious, as it is believed the soul does not attain peace. The family is advised to perform a traditional ritual involving the Pran Pratishtha with five dolls to ward off any bad omens. However, Tarun, a rationalist who has studied abroad, dismisses these rituals as mere superstition and refuses to comply, even discarding the dolls meant for the ritual.
To help calm Tarun down, his cousin Vikram (Vaibhav Tatwawaadi) suggests they go to the family farmhouse. Unbeknownst to them, the dolls have been inadvertently brought along, setting off a chain of eerie and terrifying events. Vikram’s fiancée Preeti (Mukti Mohan) is the first to sense that something is wrong. What follows is a series of mysterious and frightening occurrences that begin to unravel the Bhardwaj family, leading to tragic deaths and growing dread.
A Fresh Perspective on Horror: The Panchak Kaal Twist
Director Abhinav Pareek brings a novel twist to the horror genre by exploring the concept of Panchak Kaal. While this superstitious period is well-known in Indian culture, it has rarely been depicted on the big screen. Pareek does a commendable job setting the mood right from the opening scenes. The film’s first half might feel a little slow, but the intriguing details about Panchak Kaal keep viewers on their toes. As the story progresses into the second half, the horror intensifies, and the tension builds, though some editing flaws disrupt the narrative flow.
Disjointed Storytelling and Missed Opportunities
Despite its promising premise, A Wedding Story suffers from a lack of narrative coherence. Some scenes are genuinely chilling, but they often feel disconnected from the overall storyline. The film could have benefited from tighter editing to ensure a more seamless transition between scenes. Additionally, an out-of-place party song disrupts the horror atmosphere, making some scenes feel irrelevant. While the movie delivers several effective jump scares, it also leaves many questions unanswered, particularly with a climax that seems rushed and unfulfilling.
Visuals and Soundtrack: Crafting the Horror Atmosphere
One of the film’s strong points is its cinematography. Supratim Bhol captures the eerie beauty of Dehradun’s landscapes, using the setting to enhance the film’s spooky atmosphere. The gloomy visuals add to the suspense and fear, making the audience feel on edge. Meanwhile, Rahi Syed’s background score is suitably eerie and complements the horror theme well, although Sucheta Bhattacharjee’s music is just average and doesn’t particularly stand out.
Performances That Stand Out
The cast of A Wedding Story brings depth to the film, with performances that elevate the material. Vaibhav Tatwawaadi shines as Vikram, portraying the character’s fundamentalist beliefs convincingly. Mukti Mohan also delivers a strong performance as Preeti, with her on-screen chemistry with Vaibhav adding an emotional layer to the story. Lakshvir Saran as Tarun and Minka Chaudhary do well in their roles, but their characters could have been more fleshed out to give them more depth. Akshay Anand provides solid support, while the child actor also impresses with a standout performance.
Final Thoughts: A Mixed Bag for Horror Enthusiasts
A Wedding Story attempts to break new ground in the horror genre with its unique premise and cultural references. While the film has its flaws, particularly in storytelling and editing, it offers a fresh take on Indian superstitions and delivers some genuine scares. If you are a fan of horror films and enjoy stories rooted in cultural myths, this film is worth a watch for its novelty and chilling moments.
