A family-first pilot named Atharva takes his wife and two children to a remote village, where a mysterious stranger named Pratap slowly enslaves their daughter Aarya through hypnosis and dark magic. As Aarya turns violent and strange, Atharva is forced into a desperate fight to break Pratap's hold.
Vash proved Gujarati cinema could do dread as well as it does drama. A family-first pilot named Atharva takes his wife and two children to a remote village, where a mysterious stranger named Pratap slowly enslaves their daughter Aarya through hypnosis and dark magic, until Atharva is fighting to break the hold before he loses her.
Krishnadev Yagnik, better known for comedy, switches registers cleanly, and the film's grip is real. Janki Bodiwala is the standout as the possessed Aarya, a performance strong enough to win her a National Award and to be reprised when the film was remade in Hindi as Shaitaan with Ajay Devgn. Hitu Kanodia grounds it as the desperate father, and Hiten Kumar makes an unnerving antagonist.
Critics backed it, the Times of India at three and a half and Mid-day and Dainik Jagran at four, praising the score, the suspense and an unpredictable ending. It leans on genre convention in places, but the craft and Bodiwala's turn lift it well above. Watch it for one of the best horror performances Indian cinema produced that year.
Verdict
A horror film good enough that Bollywood remade it. Janki Bodiwala is unforgettable and the craft punches well above its budget.
What works
- Janki Bodiwala's award-winning turn
- Genuine, sustained dread
- Strong score and cinematography
- An unpredictable ending
What holds it back
- Leans on genre convention
- A few familiar possession beats
- Middle stretch slows
- Some effects show the budget
Cast & crew
Writers: Krishnadev Yagnik
Music: Kedar & Bhargav
Cast: Hitu Kanodia (Atharva), Niilam Paanchal (Beena), Janki Bodiwala (Aarya), Hiten Kumar (Pratap), Aaryan Sanghvi (Ansh)
Producers: Kalpesh Soni, Krunal Soni, Nilay Chotai, Dipen Patel
Watch the trailer
Play the official trailer on YouTubeMore from Krishnadev Yagnik
More Horror Gujarati films
Frequently asked
Is Vash worth watching?
A horror film good enough that Bollywood remade it. Janki Bodiwala is unforgettable and the craft punches well above its budget. Kevu Che rates it 4 out of 5.
What is Vash about?
A family-first pilot named Atharva takes his wife and two children to a remote village, where a mysterious stranger named Pratap slowly enslaves their daughter Aarya through hypnosis and dark magic. As Aarya turns violent and strange, Atharva is forced into a desperate fight to break Pratap's hold.
What is the IMDb rating of Vash?
Vash (2023) holds an IMDb rating of 7.8 out of 10.