Filmorium
- Naran Baraiya
“Vash” (2023) A “Terrific” Film That Has to be Watched in its Entirety
I am a number one coward. After the Naresh Kanodia era ended, I was very afraid to watch Gujarati films. Original fear. Because every film is a horror film. Some Draculas brought back something new – Urban Gujarati movies. This is a super horror movie genre which was actually invented to prove Naresh Kanodia and Upendra Trivedi as hogs or hobs i.e. villagers. Those filmmakers were villagers, illiterate and we, those Draculas, wanted to say, improved urbanites. That’s why I went to the Filmeshwar Mahadev temple and took a vow that I would not watch such Gujarati films for the next 92 lakh years. But succumbing to the insistence of the renowned film critic and international saint Shri Bubudanath, I watched “Vash” two days before the release of film “Vash Level 2” and its Hindi version “Vash-Vivash”.
In 2003 or 04, when I interviewed Hiten Kumar at the Yeshwantrai Natyagruha in Bhavnagar, I created pressure on him in ‘Pratapbhai style’ regarding the level of Gujarati films. (The terrorism of journalists is always in Pratapbhai’s discreet style! Who said that Krishnadev Yagnik alias KD has brought something new?! In fact, he has lifted the character of Pratapbhai from the journalists, has lifted it.) Hiten had told me to watch “Mahiyarma Mandu-” once and then tell me. But I did not tell him anything. Because it was not possible to decide whether “Mahiyarma Mandu-” is a film or someone’s wedding CD till now. Just as Rajesh Khanna cannot be called a good actor just because he became a superstar, “Mahiyama Mandu-” cannot be called a good film just because the film became a superhit. Yes brother, I don’t feel like watching “Mahiyarma Mandu-“. I didn’t feel like I meant-. “Mahiyarma Mandu-” also falls under the horror film category. Even the dangerous film critic, international saint Shri Bubudiyanath, agrees with this.
But after watching “Vash” (2023), one thing has definitely come to mind that now there is no need to consider all Gujarati films as “Chhagan-Magan”. ‘Vash’ means Krishnadev Yagnik’s dangerous story, cruel screen play, divine direction and life-threatening performances by Hitu Kanodia, Hitenkumar, Janaki Bodywala. A very romantic film. Demonic thrill…
I found it funny that Pratapbhai (Hitenkumar), who wants to kidnap Arya (Janaki Bodywala), is so clever that he is ready to take Arya only after Atharva’s (Hitu Kanodia) family unanimously passes a resolution (two-thirds majority!). And if the resolution is not passed, he himself is prepared to stay here for an infinite time and do whatever he can. How patient! Moreover, Pratapbhai has no intention of raping Arya. He calls Arya “Beta” and wants to take her as an elder. He also calls Arya’s mother (Monal Gajjar) as “Ben”. (Where else does Arya want to go? At uncle’s home! Eyo..!) Even today’s heroes don’t have this much discretion! This villain is so discretionary! This discretion of the villain fulfills our desires to be scared. We have seen a lot of villains who are causing trouble. Hiten has created unrest very quietly. A dangerous beauty like Monal needs a 56-inch chest to call her ‘sister’, brother! Hmmm…
Sorry, I didn’t like the ending of the film. It’s like a spitting image after everything is over. But it’s okay. The “power” of the film does not decrease only in this regard.
Yes, the ending of “Shaitan” (2024), the Hindi remake of “Vash” by Ajay Devgn, is quite terrific, that is, good. And the entire screenplay and the entire plot of the film are more dangerous, that is, powerful, than “Vash”. As a villain, R. Madhavan is not inferior to Hiten Kumar at all. But no, he calls Janaki Bodywala’s mother as ‘Bhabhi’ instead of ‘Bahen’, so R. Madhavan gets two marks less than Hiten. If there is anything wrong in this, the screenplay writer or dialogue writer of both should understand it. The film ‘Shaitan’ gets two marks more than the original film in terms of craftsmanship. Ajay Devgn will not be very happy after reading this sentence because he made Shaitan on a budget of 60 to 65 crores. If our Gujaratis get this much budget, they can give six such superhit films. If you look at it from that angle, ‘Vash’ gets 6 marks more than ‘Shaitan’. Why only 6? Why not 10? Hey man, 4 marks should be deducted for a dull title like “Vash” or not? ‘Vash’ is considered a very bad title for such a good film. Man, if you want to make such a good film, then come to us. We run a BoobudaNath Film Title Sales Center. We sell expensive titles at very low prices. We sell them.
By the way, the film was not given the 71st National Gujarati Film Award for nothing. Janaki Bodywala was also not given the Best Supporting Actress award out of sheer passion. The film ‘Vash’ has also earned such a lot that the producer, director and the person who oversees many other aspects of the film, Krishnadev Yagnik gets the opportunity to make its second part ‘Vash Level Two’ and its Hindi version ‘Vash Vivash Level 2’ with a good budget and in an organized manner. If such films are made, then I want to stop being shy about watching Gujarati films. I told Sant Shri Buboodanath that if such “bad” films are made in Gujarati, that is, films that I also like to watch, then I am ready to watch Gujarati films 24 hours a day for the next 92 lakh years.
One last thing, “Hiten Kumar has been able to play the role of Pratapbhai, a wise demon, very beautifully. If someone is going to put his finger in his mouth, there is no need to be so impressed because such acting is in Hiten’s blood. Because originally he has gone from the journalist community to the film community.” – This opinion is not mine. These words are from the world-famous film critic and international saint Shri Buboodanath. If anyone has any doubts about this, journalists should understand it with him. I have only quoted him as a simple and good journalist, yes…
