REVIEW: With an ENGAGING story & thrills, 'Ek Deewaana Tha' makes up for haphazard scares

Thrillers are certainly ruling the television scenario currently, where Beyhadh completed a successful innings past Friday and Ishq Mein Marjawan is being applauded too.

Joining the bandwagon is Sony TV's much-awaited romantic-thriller, Ek Deewaana Tha starring Vikram Singh Chauhan, Namik Paul and Donal Bisht in lead roles. With one week of telecast now concluded, we analyze the episodes ultimately answering the simple question, 'how was it?'

The Story So Far

There couldn't have been a deriding beginning than the marathon run to the top of a temple from Vyom (Vikram Singh Chauhan) in order to condemn God. With the imbroglio of visuals scattering here and there, we are made to believe several things which include how loving Vyom is towards Sharanya (Donal Bisht) and will not leave until his prayers for curing Sharanya are answered.

Beautiful damsel Sharanya has been in a coma for over two years owing to an accident which followed another accident that happened another year ago. But guess what? The OTT presentation of Vyom letting his palms get burned while praying to God are answered as Sharanya gets up from the coma just when the doctor was about to switch the ventilator off (talk about timing!)

An ecstatic Vyom goes back running to meet Sharanya, but to his misfortune, the girl doesn't remember him at all. Due to the coma, Sharanya has suffered partial memory loss and doesn't remember her life from the past two years. The last thing she remembers is how brutal of an accident she had with her father while they were driving. So, Mr. Love (Vyom) has to find her way back into her heart all over again!

Amidst all this, an unknown source sends a bouquet of Stargazer flowers to Sharanya and offended by the cryptic message, Vyom runs to see who it was after all! The first thrill moment is here when an unknown numen is formed on the road and the same numen apparently gets into Sharanya's body leading her to walk on the roof.

Somehow, Vyom manages to save her but it is enough to get her disturbed already. Refusing to accept Vyom, Sharanya is relatively rude towards him time and again. However, upon being pacified by her parents, she decided to sit and talk with him. After a cliched flashback of how Vyom and Sharanya fell in love, Sharanya still doesn't believe him only because she is controlled by Mr. Spirit, who manages to spook her with the hand-on-window moment.

We finally get some horror scenes ahead when Sharanya suspects the presence of the numen in the hospital in the late hours. An amalgamation of some stupid and some good scares, the scene is beautifully shot to say the least. At the end of all this, we are enlightened that all this was her dream (damn!) However, this enables a sweet moment between Sharanya and Vyom as the former explains the latter to not expect anything as she doesn't remember him, but appreciates the fact how Vyom has been like a rock to her and her family throughout this difficult time.

In the meantime, Sharanya's happiness turns into panic as the plethora of Stargazer flowers in her room (sent by a stranger) gives her an unpleasant odour thus leading her to lose her sanity running here and there. That is when decided Vyom decides that Sharanya will not be in the hospital anymore and will be discharged to go home.

The family is happy that Sharanya is back home and are celebrating too, but Mr. Spirit just reminds with a dialogue on how he is not going to leave Sharanya so easy.

With jump scares, thrills, mystery and love we will finally witness Shiv's actual role ahead and how Vyom will continue to protect Sharanya.

The Good

It goes without saying on how spellbinding the visuals of the show are. From breathtaking drone shots to precise close-ups, the cinematography and location choice couldn't have been more apt throughout the episodes so far.

Even before we get to some querulous instances, I want to applaud the team for pulling off some good scares and shocking moments. Be it the spirit approaching with light flickers or Shiv (Namik Paul) appearing at the most unanticipated occasions only to be realized later; a few scares may not get you on the edge of your seat, but certainly impress in keeping you hooked.

I remember how we talked about Beyhadh having fantastic background score and music in the show; well, Ek Deewaana Tha supersedes that with complete justice. With eldritch tunes for the spooks to melancholic violins and guitar strings for the romantic scenes, the music department of the show deserve special applause.

The plot of the show may be as simple as it is convoluted. The above statement may be an Antithesis, but couldn't hold more truth. What comes across as a simple saga of two lovers and a dead ex-lover who come back to get revenge is actually a lot more intertwined than it appears. The little mysteries and revelations that go along with it are perfect examples why!

Vikram and Donal's chemistry is fabulous too, where the flashback romantic scenes and the current awkward scenes are beautifully portrayed by the actors.

The Not-So-Good

While some scares are genuinely good, some are as bland as they can get. The flying blanket moment to Sharanya's I-Don't-See-You-Now moment; these scares are nothing but repetitive and infact affect the tempo of that sequence.

Excluding Amar Upadhyay, the supporting cast of the show are ridiculous to say the very least. It isn't that they are bad actors, as we have seen them perform better in other shows and presentations. However, for some reason, they chose to express their worst in this show and it becomes unpleasant to see them after a while.

The Performances

Vikram Singh Chauhan as Vyom is the flag barrier so far in the show with 5 episodes down. While, he totally impresses in some emotional and truculent scenes, he is also weak and trying too hard in other scenes. However, he still is one of the prime reasons to watch the show and a clash with Namik being awaited in the upcoming episodes, we feel it will only get better.

Donal Bisht as Sharanya is a pleasant surprise to me and I am sure to many. Barely one soap old, this is Donal's debut out-and-out lead role and she doesn't disappoint. Being her docile best in the subtle scenes to a petrified person in the scare scenes and the way we see a shift of emotions when she loves Vyom and when she hates Vyom is commendable. With beauty, she certainly has the acting chops too.

Namik Paul as Shiv may be almost absent throughout the episodes, but his occasional scares is enough to get you glued to wonder. The dialogue he utters at the end of every episode in his baritone voice will leave you wanting for more.

Amar Upadhyay covers up for the otherwise hebetating supporting cast. Looking handsome and suave, Amar as Vyom's father is absolutely fantastic. Not only does he light up the screen when he appears, but his aura makes the scene way better than it actually is. Of course, we love him currently for being Mr. Best Dad In The World, but things cannot be that simple, isn't it? We may love to hate him when he turns negative too.

The Not-Meant-To-Be-Comical Scenes

Vikram mustn't have had the need to do any gym or cardio off-sets courtesy his recurring running and chasing sequences he had to perform again, again and yes, again!

I wonder if you can pick up girls that easy? In a realistic world, imagine what will be a girl's response if a guy, who she is meeting for the first time has carved a friends tattoo penned by him on when he shakes her hand? Creepy! Vyom Sir, you are lucky to be born in the fictitious world.

Talk about OTT, I was fine with Vyom running without getting tired on the steps to the idol, but boy, when he literally pushes burning coals with his bare hands and then takes the same to pray to God; I had my eyeballs rolling. Also, if you're wondering what is the nurse doing in this image? Well, she has just two scenes and one dialogue throughout the show and that sentence had to be the cheesiest line, 'pyaar ke patient mein patience nai hoti Sir' (The patient of love doesn't have any patience.) Did you get the jitters too? I did.

The Verdict

With an engaging story-line, a few decent scares and Namik's full-fledged awaited entry, Ek Deewaana Tha has a lot of positive aspects going for itself. The music and background score perfectly complements the scenes and the twists and turns are thrilling.

Inspite of all that, the haphazard treatment of cliched scares and unrealistic scenes need to be reduced with Namik's introduction in the pipeline. A dismal first episode only makes things better with passing time and that is a major boon.

Rating - *** (3/5)