Vash (film)

2023 Gujarati supernatural horror film

Vash

Theatrical release poster

Directed by| Krishnadev Yagnik
Written by| Krishnadev Yagnik
Produced by| Kalpesh Soni
Krunal Soni
Nilay Chotai
Dipen Patel
Starring|

* Hitu Kanodia
* Niilam Paanchal
* Janki Bodiwala
* Aaryab Sanghvi
* Hiten Kumar

Cinematography| Azwad Bhuiyan
Edited by| Shivam Bhatt
Music by| Kedar and Bhargav

Production
companies

* KS Entertainment
* Ananta Business Corp
* Patel Processing Studios
* Big Box Series Production

Distributed by| Panorama Studios

Release date

* 17 February 2023 (2023-02-17)

[1]

Running time

| 117 minutes
Country| India
Language| Gujarati
Budget| ₹3-3.5 crore
Box office| est.₹3.72 crore

Vash (Gujarati: વશ) is a 2023 Indian Gujarati-language supernatural psychological horror film written and directed by Krishnadev Yagnik.[2][3] It stars Janki Bodiwala, Hitu Kanodia, Niilam Paanchal, Hiten Kumar in the lead roles. The plot follows a family, whose nightmare begins when a stranger enslaves their daughter with dark magic. It was released on 17 February 2023 in theatres.[4][5]

The film received critical acclaim. It won National Film Award for Best Gujarati Feature Film at the 71st National Film Awards and Janki Bodiwala won National Film Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.[6]

## Plot

[edit]

Atharva, a family-oriented pilot from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is excited to take his wife, Beena, and their children, Aarya and Ansh, on a peaceful vacation to a remote village. However, their tranquility is shattered when they encounter Pratap, a mysterious stranger who seems to know far too much about them. He offers to help them during their stay, and although Atharva is initially skeptical, he agrees, believing it to be a coincidence.

Soon, it becomes apparent that Pratap’s intentions are far from benevolent. Using his dark powers, Pratap begins to manipulate Aarya, Atharva's young daughter, through hypnotism and black magic. Aarya starts behaving in increasingly strange and violent ways, to the horror of her family. Pratap’s control over her intensifies, forcing her to do horrific things against her will.

As Atharva fights to save his daughter and protect his family from Pratap's sinister influence, he uncovers the truth: Pratap is no ordinary man, but a powerful demon with the ability to control minds. He wants to use Aarya as a vessel for his ultimate plan to dominate the world. As Pratap's control over Aarya deepens, the family grows desperate. After a skirmish with Aarya, as she pushes her brother from the terrace, which causes him to land down hard. Now pushed to the limit, the family gives up their daughter to Pratap, who promptly takes away their daughter. In an effort to save their son, Beena rushes Ansh into their car and drives off, not before begging Atharva to save their daughter. As she drives the car, she comes into a close collision with another car effectively ending the lives of Beena and Ansh.

In a heart-stopping climax, Atharva confronts Pratap in a brutal showdown. Realizing that the only way to stop Pratap is by severing his power which horrifically includes deafening his own daughter, Atharva first takes a pair of scissors, and plunges into the ears of his daughter and then engages in a life-or-death battle with Pratap. In the intense confrontation, Atharva knocks Pratap out and then he manages to cut off Pratap's tongue, rendering him powerless and breaking the curse over Aarya, although it costs her hearing.

In the final moments of the film, a dishelved and grungy looking Atharva visits a remote, isolated place where Pratap ,who is still alive, having been kidnapped and locked away, imprisoned by his own powers after the loss of his tongue which also happened to be the same house where Atharva lived his ordeal. As Atharva mocks Pratap, he reminds him about his powerlessness, stating how he was once a "demon" to Atharva and his family, and now he is a "demon" to Pratap. Pratap, hungry, writhing in pain, begs Atharva to kill him, but his cries are in vain. As Atharva leaves his house, he sets out the food to a still mentally enslaved Aarya, who is oblivious of what is happening around her surroundings.

## Cast

[edit]

* Hitu Kanodia as Atharva[7]
* Niilam Paanchal as Beena, Atharva's wife
* Janki Bodiwala as Aarya, Atharva and Beena's daughter
* Aaryan Sanghvi as Ansh, Atharva and Beena's son
* Hiten Kumar as Pratap[8]

## Release

[edit]

### Theatrical

[edit]

Vash was theatrically released on 17 February 2023 in Gujarat.[5] It was previously set to be released on 10 February 2023.[9]

### Home media

[edit]

The film was premiered on 26 April 2024 on ShemarooMe.[10]

## Reception

[edit]

### Critical reception

[edit]

Vash movie received Positive reviews from critics. Shilpa Bhanushali of Mid-Day gave the film 4 stars out of 5 and says "Keeping the audience under a spell of fear with the flavor of Gujarati style, this film is worth watching, but you have to think how much risk you are willing to take".[11] Deepali Chhatwani of The Times of India gave the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "But it is good to see how the director has kept his team and actors consistent in his last few releases. That rapport with the actors and working with the same team probably helps in understanding the director’s vision and delivering a good film".[12] Dharmendra Thakur of Dainik Jagran gave the film 4 stars out of 5 and wrote "Music is the plus point of this film. The action sequences and cinematography of the film are also strong. From story, acting, direction and cinematography to music, Bahu is one. This film is going to set a new benchmark in Gujarati cinema, however Hindi remake proved to be more successful than Gujarati as there were many missing plot in 2023 movie".[13]

## Remake and sequel

[edit]

The film was remade in Hindi as Shaitaan (2024) directed by Vikas Bahl and starring Ajay Devgn, R. Madhavan, and Jyothika.[14][15] Janki Bodiwala and Anngad Raaj played their daughter and son in the remake. The film was released on 8 March 2024 to positive reviews and became commercially successful.

Vash Level 2 (2025) is an upcoming sequel film starring the same cast.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Believe it or not but the world is a part of 2 different energies, good and evil, What happens when they collide? VASH, being the most awaited film is finally releasing on 17th Feb, 2023". Ahmedabad Mirror. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
2. ^ "Janki Bodiwala's first look from 'Vash' will leave you intrigued". The Times of India. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
3. ^ "Believe it or not but the world is a part of 2 different energies, good and evil, What happens when they collide? VASH, being the most awaited film is finally releasing on 17th Feb, 2023". Ahmedabad Mirror. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
4. ^ "Janki Bodiwala's next Gujarati film 'Vash' to release on 17th February | ૧૭ ફેબ્રુઆરીથી જાનકી બોડીવાલા કરશે 'વશ'". www.gujaratimidday.com (in Gujarati). 18 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
5. ^ a b "Believe it or not but the world is a part of 2 different energies, good and evil, What happens when they collide? VASH, being the most awaited film is finally releasing on 17th Feb, 2023". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
6. ^ "71st National Film Awards for the year 2023 announced". PIB.
7. ^ "Believe it or not but the world is a part of 2 different energies, good and evil, What happens when they collide? VASH, being the most awaited film is finally releasing on 17th Feb, 2023". firstindia.co.in. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
8. ^ Gujarati, Jagran (28 January 2023). "Hiten Kumar Exclusive Interview: વશમાં મારો રોલ કાળી સાહીથી લખાયેલા એવા દાનવનો છે, જેને જોઈને મારા ફેમિલી મેમ્બર્સ પણ બીઈ ગયા છે". Gujarati Jagran (in Gujarati). Retrieved 29 January 2023.
9. ^ "Vash OTT Release Date: Know About Plot, Cast & Platform". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
10. ^ "Vash OTT Release: When & Where To Watch Gujarati Horror Movie That Inspired Hindi Film Shaitaan". Indiatimes. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
11. ^ "Vash Review: અનપ્રેડિક્ટેબલ અંત સાથે, સસ્પેન્સ થ્રિલરનો આનંદ આપતી ફિલ્મ". Mid-Day (in Gujarati). 15 February 2023. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
12. ^ "Vash Movie Review: Vash Movie Review". The Times of India. 12 February 2023. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
13. ^ "Vash Movie Review: ગુજરાતી સિનેમામાં એક નવો બેન્ચમાર્ક સેટ કરવા જઈ રહી છે સસ્પેન્સ, થ્રિલર અને રોમાંચથી ભરપૂર ફિલ્મ 'વશ'". Dainik Jagran (in Gujarati). 10 February 2023. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
14. ^ "Ajay Devgn to star in 'Vash' remake: Vikas Bahl will direct- Exclusive". The Times of India. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
15. ^ "Mystery Solved: Jyotika will play Ajay Devgn's wife and Janki Bodiwala their daughter in 'Vash' remake- Exclusive". Retrieved 15 May 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Vash at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Films directed by Krishnadev Yagnik

* Chhello Divas (2015)
* Days of Tafree (2016)
* Karsandas Pay & Use (2017)
* Shu Thayu? (2018)
* Naadi Dosh (2022)
* Raado (2022)
* Vash (2023)
* Danny Jigar (2024)
* Trisha On The Rocks (2024)
* Vash Level 2 (2025)

*[est.]: estimation
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template