✿13B✿

Title : 13B

Language :  Hindi

Genre: Horror 

Director: Vikram K. Kumar  

Banner: Big Pictures

Music Director: Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonsa

Lyricist: Neelesh Misra

Star Cast: R. Madhavan, Neetu Chandra, Sachin Khedekar, Murli Sharma, Poonam Dhillon, Murli Sharma, Deepak Dobriyal, Dhritiman Chatterjee

Release Date: 6^th March 2009

 

 Synopsis:

A supernatural thriller, '13B' has been set amidst an urban backdrop and revolves around the life of Manohar (R. Madhavan), his wife Priya (Neetu Chandra) and their family members. Manohar is a hard working Civil Engineer, who is 31 years of age and happily married. A typical urban Indian male, his main concerns in life include providing his family with all the amenities reckoned necessary for leading a comfortable lifestyle. He is rational in his thoughts and practical in his approach, with an analytical bent mind and clear thinking.

Manohar's wife Priya represents a typical modern day homemaker, who is extremely supportive of her husband. Like most of the housewives in the present times, she is also in love with the daily soaps coming on TV. She is a devoted daughter-in-law, a loving sister-in-law and a playful, considerate aunt. The life of Manohar and Priya is moving smoothly and now, they are looking forward to having a family of their own, trying to have a child. Manohar changes his house and moves into a new apartment, with his family.

Numbered 13B, Manohar's apartment is on the 13th floor of a building. Soon, they settle into the house, where the women find a new love - watching the latest TV show ''Sab Khairiyat'' (All is Well). Oddly enough, the family in the show is quite similar to Manohar's. Initially, a number of good things take place in the show and similar events take place in Manohar's family as well. However, soon, things take a turn for the worse. Will the shocking incidents seen in the show affect Manohar and his family also? Why is this happening? Will Manohar be able to solve the mystery before it's too late? The answers are not too far away!

Conclusion:

If you are looking for a thriller, which will keep you on the edge of your seat all the time, then 13B might just be the movie for you. Based on an innovative plot, which (thankfully!) does not involve the use of disgusting-looking ghost faces, psycho babas or excessive camera movements, 13B impresses you on a number of points. One of the first things that strike you is that the setting of the whole story is quite relatable and brings out horror in the normal course of events only. There is no visiting a 'purani' (old) haveli or going somewhere alone, in the dead of the night, for the scary events to take place.

Vikram K. Kumar takes all the credit for keeping you hooked on, with his direction as well as his screenplay and dialogues. Another aspect, on which 13B scores pretty well, is that the explanation behind the occurrence of strange, you can also say supernatural, events is quite convincing. Even the background score adds to the horror. There are certain flaws in the movie, such as its long duration (which could have been edited a bit more) and the dream song between Madhavan and Neetu (totally unnecessary). However, none of them are bad enough to adversely affect the movie to a great extent.

Talking about performances, Madhavan is the first name that comes to mind. His expressions beautifully convey the confusion, dread and panic his character is going through. As for Neetu Chandra, she is seen in a 'less-makeup' avatar and gives good support to Madhavan. Murli Sharma is another character that manages to impress us, especially with his perfect comic timing. Poonam Dhillon, seen in movies after a long time, hasn't lost her touch. Even Sachin Khedekar and Deepak Dobriyal were good in their respective roles. You will surely not regret spending time to watch 13B.