Ek Thi Daayan Movie Reviews

Artist : Sunidhi Chauhan, Rekha Bhardwaj, Clinton Cerejo, Suresh Wadkar
Album : Ek Thi Daayan
Tracks : 5
Rating : 8.1596
Type : Hindi Movies

Ek Thi Daayan Reviews By (59% Recomended)

1. Ek Thi Daayan Review by Indicine | Zayden 

Much through the first half of the film, it becomes hard to believe that this is Kannan Iyer’s debut as a feature film diretor. He deftly handles the film’s supernatural aspects and gets fine performances from all (yes, ALL) of the actors. The aesthetics of the film are classy and it should have remained that way till the end. Kannan deals the wrong hand when it comes to the ending and goes into commercial mode. The climax is plain lazy and resorts to the clićhes which made the film look promisingly different for the previous 15 reels.

2. Ek Thi Daayan Review by Bollywood Hungama | Taran Adarsh

There is something out there that is inexplicable, that is beyond the realm of human comprehension that EK THI DAAYAN taps grippingly. First-time director Kannan Iyer steps forward to offer something radically different in this genre and for those who believe in daayans -- even those who don't -- will take to the plot instantly because Kannan's storytelling is lucid and graspable. The flashback portions in the first hour are noteworthy, with Emraan revisiting his childhood. At the same time, Kannan ensures that there's a love story running parallel to the main story, besides integrating the mandatory songs in the narrative, thus steering clear of being labeled 'dark and dry' in the process.

3.  Ek Thi Daayan Review by The Times Of India | Meena Iyer

Woven beautifully between the world of magic, occult and suspense, Ek Thi Daayan, makes for compulsive viewing, providing some spine-chilling thrills at short gaps. The narrative in the first half is almost faultless. There are some nice romantic moments between the lead pair Emraan and Huma and a couple of songs too. But just when you start to relax and flow with the emotions, along comes a scary twist that jolts you back to the edge of your seat. The climax is a bit stereotype of horror/supernatural thrillers but that's a minor hiccup in an otherwise cleverly done film of this genre.

4. Ek Thi Daayan Review by Rediff | Raja Sen

This entire first-half -- while sounding like a great backstory for an over-committed barber with highly fetishised ponytail-hatred -- is excellent. The narrative is constant, thrilling and filled with tiny detailing, supported by uniformly great acting and sharp, neat writing.

5. Ek Thi Daayan Review by Koimoi | Mohar Basu

Debutant director Kannan Iyer smoothly masters the genre of the paranormal. Despite being a novice, his intelligent camera work is jolting and scares you well. The film aptly uses darkness, without trying too hard to spook you out yet not patting you off to sleep. Its pace isn’t hasty, the film’s boredom seeps in only when the screenplay is murdered post interval.

6. Ek Thi Daayan Review by Dailybhaskar | Mayank Shekhar

The screen holds your attention. You do feel hungry for more chilling moments and effects that stun you into holding your breath. Sometimes the scale doesn’t match the film’s ambition. For the most part, I suppose, this will do. You know it, when it does. I hear two talkative bozos from the seats before me. Their non-stop jabber has been bothering me from the beginning of the show. They go quiet after a while. At one point I feel like leaning in and scaring them with a “boo” for a second. I resist the thought, fully sure that they’ll either fall off their seat, get a heart attack or have me thrown out of the theatre. That’s when you know a horror film is working its movie magic in a dark hall!

7 Ek Thi Daayan Review by Bollywood Life | Prathamesh Jadhav

As for the performances, Konkona Sen Sharma simply steals the show. She portrays the complex and layered character through her expressive eyes with amazing effortlessness. Those subtle, ever-shifting micro-emotions on her face are difficult to read. Emraan Hashmi too has delivered a stellar performance as a haunted terribly by the menacing past magician. Huma Qureshi is less impressive in this one than her first two outings – Gangs Of Wasseypur 2 and Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana. Kalki Koechlin has played her part well and Pawan Malhotra as Hashmi’s father is memorable. A special mention here for the curly haired Vishesh Tiwari who nails it as the young Bobo.

8. Ek Thi Daayan Review by Nowrunning | Mansha Rastogi

Another actor who outshines many biggies is the child actor Vishesh Tiwar who plays the younger Bobo. The way he handles the film completely on his young shoulders is commendable. Emraan Hashmi too is at his top form and gives a convincing performance. The same can't be said, however, about Kalki Koechlin and Huma Qureshi. While Kalki's character gets completely wasted in the film, Huma just gives a passable performance with nothing to rave about.

9.  Ek Thi Daayan Review by NDTVMovies | Saibal Chatterjee

The director overplays his hand and puts all his cards on the table a tad too quickly. Once the element of shock and surprise are out of the equation in the first half, the film falls into a predictable pattern

10. Ek Thi Daayan Review by Zeenews | Gayatri Sankar.

However, the story fails to substantiate the emergence of a Daayan in Bobo’s life and the subsequent happenings. The film could have been a lot different had the makers opted for an unconventional way of recreating witchcraft and supernatural presence on celluloid. Though certain sequences send shivers down your spine, the rest fail to grip your senses. The Lunar eclipse, the leap year, the screeching sounds of the daayan and the constant projection of a lizard are all too jumbled up and intend to forcefully create a sense of claustrophobia.

11. Ek Thi Daayan Review by Indian Express | Shubhra Gupta

But while the going is good, so much about this film is so good. There really is no one like Vishal Bharadwaj (who's co-produced with Ekta Kapoor), who can paint such a natural picture of childhood; debutant director Kannan Iyer could easily have plucked the kids out of Bharadwaj's imagination—the children are real, their conversation is natural, and their fears are palpable. Konkona Sen Sharma resurfaces after a gap, and what a super act she's come up with. She crept me out nicely. Humra Qureshi has just a few good moments, but makes the most of them. Also, dear Bollywood leading ladies, please watch Kalki Koechlin strum a guitar and sing, to know how it is done: that 'Yaaram' song is the only thing that kept the post interval bit afloat. That, and Emraan's consistency with his part: this is a performer who keeps getting better.

12. Ek Thi Daayan Review by Economic Times | Gaurav Malani

But after a riveting first half, the narrative somewhere turns shallow in the second half as Bobo's adult episode takes over. The problem is that the film largely relies on that one suspense element kept in store in the climax. But if you are discerning enough, the revelation won't come as a surprise. Moreover after credibly crafting the witch world in the first half, director Kannan Iyer doesn't seem to know what to do thereafter and opts for a hurried and tame climax.

13.  Ek Thi Daayan Review by Indiaglitz | Vishal Verma

The suspense about the identity of characters, who belongs only to this earth? And who has outer world connections? And what they are up to? Makes it for a perfect outing for lovers of this genre. The first half is simply terrific.. Kannan Iyer makes a hauntingly impressive impact and seems he has learnt his work with elan. Iyer shows his mastery as the helmer where he convincingly makes us react accordingly to his scary, dramatic and thrillingly spine chilling moments like the hide and seek scene between Emraan, his sister and Konkana.

14. Ek Thi Daayan Review by Deccan Chronicle | Khalid Mohamed

Come to think of it, India’s horror cinema may have become slicker, with cool production designs and healthy budgets, but it’s still toddling towards attaining maturity. The formula of ‘thodasa romance, thodasa screams and sorcery’ still has to reach the next level. Kannan Iyer’s is a commendable try, but that’s it.

15.Ek Thi Daayan Review by Sify | Sonia Chopra

Those looking for pure horror, stay away. Debut director Kannan Iyer gives us scary moments, but only a few. Several horror cliches can be seen - the flying curtains, scary-looking doll, the unbelieving psychiatrist and so on.

16. Ek Thi Daayan Review by Yahoo | Rummana Ahmed

Konkona is back on the big screen after a brief hiatus and she has just got better. She had said in her interview that she had enjoyed playing a dark, twisted character and it is quite obvious. The way her character evolves from the kindly governess, it is like watching each layer peel away to reveal a completely new layer of the talented actress. Konkona is a dusky seductress – gentle and vicious at the same time, essaying an uninhibited performance that is worthy of praise. Sometimes, only her eyes speak, especially in the scene where she is offended by Little Bobo’s outburst, she says nothing but her eyes well up and she walks away, despite your many suspicions, you feel for her.

17. Ek Thi Daayan Review by Mid-Day India | Janhavi Samant

Okay, so the plot is pretty shaky, especially so after the suspense is revealed. But till the climax opens in true saas-bahu saga style, Ek Thi Daayan remains an interesting thriller. The performances are great; Emraan somehow manages to look constantly uncomfortable and uneasy, which is perfect for such films. Huma’s hips don’t lie and Kalki is chirpy. But the film really belongs to Konkona, who looks most sinister when she is happy.

18. Ek Thi Daayan Review by  DNA India | Tushar Joshi

Without giving out spoilers leading to the (predictable) twist in the climax, one can say that ETD has a superbly written and executed first half, perhaps one of the best in recent times. The setting, mood, lighting, back ground score, even the tone and shades of Bobo’s clothes (hues of dark blue and black) work consistently in creating the right ambiance. Dialogues are razor sharp and none of the characters seem like they were forcibly pushed into the storyline.

19. Ek Thi Daayan Review by India Today | Vinayak Chakravorty

Post-interval, though, the film starts losing pace. While the impish twist at the end is a winner, it unfolds only after a lazy second half has tested your patience. What works for the film, though, is its intention. It isn't peddling superstitious. Rather, Iyer delves into the recesses of the human mind to craft a dark thriller that regales.

20. Ek Thi Daayan Review by IBNLive | Rajeev Masand

In the thrills department, 'Daayan' packs one or two effective jump-in-your seat moments, but for the most part it cruises along on the strength of its suspense alone. Emraan Hashmi gives a nicely contained performance, never going into ham-and-cheese mode as the paranoid protagonist. A word also for Vishesh Tiwari who leaves a lasting impression as young Bobo.

21. Ek Thi Daayan Review by Hindustan Times | Anupama Chopra

And then, the curse of the second half struck like a gale-force. Kalki Koechlin, playing Lisa Dutt, makes an entry. She’s an interesting actor but the film doesn’t know what to do with her. The pace slackens, the plot unravels and Kannan’s assured grip on the material loosens. By the climax, Ek Thi Daayan descends into Vikram Bhatt territory – the plot doesn’t stay true even to its own logic. It’s cheesy and simply too silly to scare. Which is a real bummer because until then, I was having a lot of fun.

22.  Ek Thi Daayan Review by ApunKaChoice | Naresh Kumar Deoshi

It’s in the second half that the film, like an elevator on a loose cable, begins to go down, gets stuck, slides down again and concludes with a mighty thump and descent into the typical Bollywood Bhootiyapanti about daayans recharging their evil batteries with the sacrifice of kids on lunar eclipses of leap years, and all that flipping jazz.

23.   Ek Thi Daayan Review by Wogma | Meetu

The inconsistency is all reserved for the last hour of the film which comes with random songs and even worse twists. At the end of the film, there are few sub-plots that make you wonder why they found a place in the film at all. On the other hand, there are some themes that are touched upon but left half-done, like a child's dreamy world, or the struggle between good and bad or logic and faith.

24.  Ek Thi Daayan Review by Glamsham | Martin D'Souza

The suspense is palpable and so are the 'chill scenes' that have most screaming out of their seats. More impactful is the climax that is well constructed right from the very beginning.