Blu Release – 3/5
Tahkhana
Director(s) – Shyam Ramsay (Veerana, Neighbours) and Tulsi Ramsay (Purana Mandir, Telephone)
Starring – Hemant Birje (Smart Killer, Tarzan’s Daughter), Kamran Rizvi (Main Hoon Sherni, Din Dahade), and Arti Gupta (Saamri, Haadsaa)
Release Date – 1986
Rating – 3/5
I was bitten by the horror bug in middle school and found myself fully embracing the genre by high school. These years really shaped my taste in horror as I found myself becoming obsessed with no budget and indie productions. However, as I grow older, I find myself becoming surprised by just how diverse my taste in the genre has become. Several years back I found a copy of Mahakaal from Massacre Video. This movie is known to genre fans as the Indian or Bollywood Freddy Krueger.
I fucking loved it and watched it many times. This opened me up to more Bollywood horror with companies like Mondo Macabro spearheading this passion. Sometime ago Mondo Macabro released the Hindi horror double feature with the first film being the 1986 film Tahkhana which was also known as The Dungeon. I couldn’t wait to check it out and like always I want to thank Mondo Macabro and CAV for sending this one over.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows an evil man who dabbles in black magic as he vows to end his family’s lineage when his dying father leaves everything to his brother. He tries to kidnap his niece and nephew but is unable to get them both. We jump forward several decades and his niece, unaware of her evil uncle, sets out with some friends to investigate a local legend unaware of how close she is to it. **Spoiler Alert**
There is nothing on this planet like Hindi/Bollywood horror and that is something I will stand by the rest of my life. These movies seem to follow a formula but they are just so much fun especially when compared to their western counterparts. Tahkhana is another solid and memorable horror outing that is almost as enjoyable as some of the others that I’ve fell in love with.
The acting in this one is extremely campy in the very best way. The characters are colorful and very dramatic with the cast doing a wonderful job with their performances. With that being said, some of the later scenes don’t have the energy as the earlier scenes which does take away from the camp. I don’t know if everyone was tired or directing was ore laid back but this part of the film just doesn’t have what the first two thirds had.
The story for this one is exactly what I would expect from a Hindi horror flick. We have an evil relative who does black magic, a collective of colorful characters and that wonderful 80s flare. We do have some pacing issues and the ending not being as energized as the rest of the film but it’s still very enjoyable as it is.
Finally, I love the make-up in this one. The kills have some of the red stuff an simple practical effects but the make-up for the evil uncle just looks awesome. Overall, Tahkhana is great entry in a severally underrated regional genre that many horror fans will never experience. I highly recommend this film and this release from Mondo Macabro. Check it out.
Purani Haveli
Director(s) – Shyam Ramsay (Saboot, Hotel) and Tulsi Ramsay (Om, Police Mattu Dada)
Starring – Deepak Parashar (Armaan, Nikaah), Amita Nangia (Ramsay House: The Fantasy World, Islamic Exorcist), and Shubha (N.H. 47, Ravana Rajya)
Release Date – 1989
Rating – 3/5
Mondo Macabro really took care of me here with this fantastic Ramsay Brother’s double feature with Tahkhana and Purani Haveli. Both of these films were first time watches for me and I was really looking forward to it. After watching the first film, the 1986 film Tahkhana, it was time to dig into the second film on the set which was the 1989 flick Purani Haveli. This is one I had heard of prior to watching it but I never had the chance to check it out. Like always, I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending it over.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a young girl who lost her parents in a horrible accident. She lives with her aunt and uncle who is manipulating her into giving them her inheritance once she is old enough to receive it. However, they die at a haunted hotel after visiting it for a possible purchase. The young lady, unaware that her uncle was murdered at the hotel, visits with her friends. Arriving at the same time is a small time criminal and his lackies looking for a quick score only for them all to learn about the sinister forces in the building. **Spoiler Alert**
I went into this one almost immediately after watching the first film on the disc and really enjoyed myself. It’s not as well put together and written as Tahkhana but it works as a double feature and stand alone film.
The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from an 80s Hindi horror movie. We get some campy performances with a lot of overdramatic acting and high energy. The characters are not that memorable but the acting is a lot of fun.
The story for this one is a solid creature feature that feels like a haunted house flick at times. It doesn’t really have the suspense and tension that I would expect from a straight forward haunted house flick here in the states but it works. We also have the crime aspect and the devious family portion that adds some layer to the film. It doesn’t feel overwhelming and works with the pacing of the film.
Finally, we once again get some fun make-up effects and blood but the deaths are not as graphic and gory as I would have liked. The effects look well enough for the film but they are not as entertaining as the rest of the film. Overall, Purani Haveli is another fun Ramsay Brother’s horror movie that I think all genre fans should check out. It’s a lot of fun especially if you dig Hindi horror. Check it out.
Special Features:
TAHKHANA
Brand new 4k transfer from film negative, digitally restored.
Introduction to the film by writer Tim Paxton.
Original trailer.
PURANI HAVELI
Brand new 4k transfer from film negative, digitally restored.
Introduction to the film by writer Tim Paxton.
Original trailer.
