View source for Pari (2018 Indian film)


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{{Infobox film
| name           = Pari
| image          = Pari - Poster.jpg
| alt            = The poster features Anushka Sharma and a witch behind her. The title appears at bottom.
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| native_name    = 
| director       = [[Prosit Roy]]
| producer       = [[Anushka Sharma]]<br/>Karnesh Ssharma<!--DON‘T CHANGE HIS NAME! Please check the following SOURCE where they confirm he changed the SPELLING of his surname!.--><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/theres-lots-in-a-name-karnesh-ssharma-is-making-sure-his-name-adds-up-to-a-success-number/22862210|title = Karnesh Ssharma is making sure his name adds up to a success number|date = 27 June 2020}}</ref><br/>[[Prerna Arora]]
| writer         = Abhishek Banerjee<br/>Prosit Roy
| screenplay     = Prosit Roy
| story          = Prosit Roy
| starring       = {{ubl|
* Anushka Sharma
* [[Parambrata Chatterjee]]
* [[Rajat Kapoor]]
* [[Ritabhari Chakraborty]]
* Mansi Multani
}}
| music          = <small>'''Songs'''</small><br>Anupam Roy<br><small>'''Background Music'''</small><br>Ketan Sodha
| cinematography = Jishnu Bhattacharjee
| editing        = Manas Mittal
| studio         = {{ubl|[[Clean Slate Filmz]]|[[KriArj Entertainment]]|Kyta Productions}}
| distributor    = [[Pooja Entertainment]]<br>[[Zee Studios|Zee Studios International]]
| released       = {{film date|2018|3|2|[[India]]}}
| runtime        = 134 minutes
| country        = India
| language       = Hindi
| budget         = {{INR}}30 crore<ref>https://www.mid-day.com/articles/anushka-sharmas-pari-recovers-cost-of-production-even-before-its-release/19135176/
*https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=3722
*Note: Mid-Day reports a {{INR}}10 crore production budget with a print and advertising cost of {{INR}}18 crore.  Box Office India places the budget at {{INR}}21 crore, but it is unclear whether that includes print and advertising costs. Most film budget figures across the world do not include print and advertising costs.</ref>
| gross          = {{INR}}41.4 crore<ref name="BH Pari">{{cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/box-office-worldwide-collections-day-wise-break-pari/|title=Box Office: Worldwide collections and day wise break up of Pari - Bollywood Hungama|first=Bollywood|last=Hungama|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |date=3 March 2018|publisher=}}</ref>
}}

'''''Pari''''' ({{translation|''[[Fairy]]''}}) is a 2018 Indian [[Hindi]] language [[supernatural horror film]] directed by [[Prosit Roy]] in his debut.<ref name="HTPariFirstLook">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/pari-anushka-sharma-s-battered-bruised-look-will-haunt-you/story-GGr81A6rhO1F2L0DURPHiL.html|title=Pari: Anushka Sharma's battered, bruised look will haunt you|work=Hindustan Times|accessdate=10 July 2017}}</ref> It stars [[Anushka Sharma]] and marks her third production venture for her company [[Clean Slate Filmz]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/130617/anushkas-intense-gaze-in-the-first-look-of-film-pari-will-leave-you-intrigued.html|title=Anushka's intense gaze in the first look of film Pari will leave you intrigued|date=13 June 2017|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=23 November 2017}}</ref> [[Parambrata Chatterjee]], [[Ritabhari Chakraborty]], [[Rajat Kapoor]] and Mansi Multani feature in supporting roles.<ref>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/pari-new-screamer-anushka-sharma-will-scare-the-living-daylights-out-of-you/story-E1g9UT8gj2k1pV2xrPVuwJ.html "Pari new screamer: Anushka Sharma will scare the living daylights out of you"]. ''Hindustan Times''. 2 February 2018.</ref><ref name="newindianexpress.com">[https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2018/feb/24/mansi-multani-enjoyed-being-face-of-fear-in-pari-1778306.html "Mansi Multani 'enjoyed' being face of fear in 'Pari'"]. ''The New Indian Express''.</ref> Production on the film began in June 2017, and it was released theatrically on 2 March 2018.

== Plot ==

The story revolves around the demon [[Ifrit]] and Auladhchakra, a [[satanic cult]] in [[Bangladesh]] aiming to perpetuate the bloodline of Ifrit. They used to kidnap women and summon a male demon to have sex with them so that they could be impregnated with the offspring of the demon. Professor Qasim Ali used to head a group of vigilantes that sought out the women impregnated by Ifrit, kept them captive until they gave birth, then immediately killed the demonic babies by cutting off their heads and sealing them within glass jars. This drew opposition from the villagers, despite their support, and the group was shut down due to its violently radical approach. Rukhsana is the daughter of one such woman, who was a victim of the satanic ritual but escaped her captivity before Professor Ali could kill her child.

Arnab is a young man who owns and operates a printing press. Piyali, a nurse, is set for an arranged marriage with him. On the way home in the heavy rain, he and his parents accidentally hit an old woman. The woman dies, and when the police search her home, an old hut in the forest, they find a dirty Rukhsana chained inside. Arnab, feeling sympathetic and responsible upon realising she has no one, takes her in. Rukhsana knows nothing of the modern outside world and often sees demonic visions that frighten her. Arnab finds her strange but endearing. As the two spend time together, she falls in love with him. A mortuary assistant discovers that Rukhsana's mother has the cult's mark on her skin and informs Professor Ali, who has been searching for Rukhsana for years.

One night, Rukhsana gets sick. Though Arnab mistakes it for her [[menstruation|period]], the truth is that her body needs to spew out the poison it produces every month due to her demon blood. She secretly kills a dog by biting it and releasing her poison. She later admits that she loves Arnab, and the two make love. The next morning, Professor Ali confronts Arnab with the truth about her, but he refuses to believe him. The morgue assistant fights Arnab, injuring him. Rukhsana kills the assistant in retaliation and gets between Arnab and Piyali, feeling jealous. When Arnab argues with her, she grabs him by the throat and lifts him clear off the ground.

Disturbed, Arnab realises that Professor Ali was right and researches about Ifrit. He learns that Ifrit babies are born in one month instead of nine. Arnab contacts Professor Ali. Just as he arrives with his men, Rukhsana reveals to Arnab that she is pregnant with his child. The professor's men tie her up and torture her so that she dies of her poison. Though she cries for Arnab, he leaves, depressed. After three weeks, Piyali visits Arnab at his parents' house, and he tells her the truth about Rukhsana. His conversation with her makes him realise he shouldn't have left her to die because it was he who impregnated her, and that it is his child.

Rukhsana, after being beaten repeatedly, breaks free and kills the professor before heading over to Piyali's. She injures Piyali, but goes into [[Childbirth|labour]]. Piyali is unable to kill her, being a nurse and with her past of having an [[abortion]]. Instead, she helps Rukhsana deliver the baby, which has an [[umbilical cord]]. Rukhsana leaves the baby with her and disappears. Arnab rushes to the old hut, where he finds her near death. He cries and hugs her. She resists the urge to bite him and release her poison, instead letting it remain inside her body. Before dying, she tells Arnab that their baby is human. At the end, Arnab says that Rukhsana's love made their baby human, rather than Ifrit's hatred. Arnab decides to take care of his baby then.

==Cast==
*[[Anushka Sharma]] as Rukhsana
*[[Parambrata Chatterjee]] as Arnab
*[[Rajat Kapoor]] as Professor Qasim Ali
*[[Ritabhari Chakraborty]] as Piyali
*Mansi Multani as Kalapori
*[[Mithu Chakrabarty]] as Arnab's mother
*Rohit Kadu Deshmukh as Arnab's friend
*[[Shantilal Mukherjee|Santilal Mukherjee]] as Police Inspector
*[[Dibyendu Bhattacharya]] as Morgue worker
*Arijit Dutta
*Sraboni Biswas
*[[Aasif Khan]] as Ismail (cameo).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-12|title=2020 tough but also turning point for my career: Aasif|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/2020-tough-but-also-turning-point-for-my-career-aasif/story-w3qQFLLIfpd9aBfHy7t6YP.html|access-date=2021-03-08|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-11|title=Aasif Khan: Gambles have worked best for me|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/web-series/asif-khan-gambles-have-worked-best-for-me-101615479335106.html|access-date=2021-03-19|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

==Marketing==
The first look of ''Pari'' was released on 13 June 2017 by Sharma via her [[Twitter]] handle.<ref name=":0"/> The film's motion poster, promotionally called ''Screamer'', was released on 9 January 2018, showing the face of Sharma's character getting bruised.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/pari-motion-poster-anushka-sharmas-scars-in-holi-with-pari-will-give-you-goosebumps/articleshow/62438676.cms|title='Pari' motion poster: Anushka Sharma's scars in 'Holi With Pari' will give you goosebumps|work=The Times of India|date=10 January 2018|accessdate=10 January 2018}}</ref> A 30-second clip, the second "screamer", was released on 3 February 2018, which showed Sharma watching a cartoon on television with an idyllic smile, giving the impression that she is safe and okay. However, the camera pans to show that her hands and feet are bruised, and she is chained to the bed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/pari-new-screamer-anushka-sharma-will-scare-the-living-daylights-out-of-you/story-E1g9UT8gj2k1pV2xrPVuwJ.html|title=Pari new screamer: Anushka Sharma will scare the living daylights out of you|work=Hindustan Times|date=2 February 2018|accessdate=3 February 2018}}</ref> The official teaser of ''Pari'' was released on 7 February 2018 by Sharma via her Twitter handle.<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-pari-teaser-anushka-sharma-s-blood-soaked-face-hysterical-laugh-will-make-you-scream-2582347 "‘Pari’ teaser: Anushka Sharma’s blood-soaked face, hysterical laugh will make you scream  & Updates at Daily News & Analysis"]. ''dnaindia.com''. 7 February 2018.</ref> The third ''screamer'', released on [[Valentine's Day]], opens with Anushka and Parambrata's characters watching television when Anushka says "I love you" to him. She becomes disturbed when she hears an eerie female voice respond, "I love you too." The camera pans to show a bloody and battered version of herself, grinning and terrifying the real Anushka.<ref>[http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/watch-pari-teaser-anushka-sharma-5063360/ "Pari Screamer 3: Not the kind of ‘I love you’ you expect from Anushka Sharma"]. ''The Indian Express''. 14 February 2018.</ref> The official trailer of Pari was released one day later, on 15 February 2018.<ref>[http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/pari-trailer-anushka-sharma-live-updates-5064626/ "Anushka Sharma starrer Pari’s trailer released: Highlights"]. ''The Indian Express''. 15 February 2018.</ref> After the trailer, two other ''screamers'' have been released.<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-pari-screamer-4-red-eyed-anushka-sharma-is-all-set-to-haunt-you-at-night-2586310 ‘Pari’ Screamer 4: ‘Red-eyed' Anushka Sharma is all set to haunt you at night]
</ref><ref>[https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/pari-screamer-5-dear-anushka-sharma-were-scared-enough-stop-already-1815964 "Pari Screamer 5: Dear Anushka Sharma, We're Scared Enough, Stop Already"]. ''ndtv.com''.</ref>

==Controversies==
During the shooting of the film in August 2017 at [[State Highway 3 (West Bengal)|Basanti State Highway]], [[South 24 Parganas|24 Pgs. (S)]] district of [[West Bengal]], a technician was [[electrocution|electrocuted]]. The shooting of the film was immediately stopped but was started again after a while.<ref>[https://www.newsaura.com/fctwei-expresses-grief-death-technician-shooting-anushka-sharma-pari/9013 "FCTWEI expresses grief over the death of technician during shooting of Anushka Sharma 'Pari'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903033957/https://www.newsaura.com/fctwei-expresses-grief-death-technician-shooting-anushka-sharma-pari/9013 |date=3 September 2017 }}. ''newsaura.com''. 3 September 2017.</ref>

The film has been banned in [[Pakistan]] for allegedly promoting [[black magic]], some non-Islamic values and anti-Muslim sentiments.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1648860/4-anushka-sharmas-pari-banned-pakistan/|title=Anushka Sharma's 'Pari' banned in Pakistan. It did well at box office in the first week– The Express Tribune|date=2 March 2018|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=3 March 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Music==
{{Infobox album
| name       = Pari
| type       = soundtrack
| artist     = Anupam Roy
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released   = {{Start date|df=yes|2018|03|05}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/in/album/pari-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-single/1355674483 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411025656/https://itunes.apple.com/in/album/pari-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-single/1355674483 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 April 2018 |title=Pari (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |date=5 March 2018 |publisher=[[iTunes]]}}</ref>
| recorded   =
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      = [[Feature film soundtrack]]
| length     = 9:58
| label      = [[Zee Music Company]]
| producer   =
| prev_title =
| prev_year  =
| next_title =
| next_year  =
| misc       = {{External media
| audio1 = {{YouTube|rWj8r8abing|Audio Jukebox}}}}
}}

The music of ''Pari'' was composed by [[Anupam Roy]] while the lyrics were written by Anvita Dutt.<ref>[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/anupam-roy-on-composing-for-anushka-sharmas-pari/articleshow/59969458.cms "Anupam Roy on composing for Anushka Sharma's Pari]. ''The Times of India''.</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Tracklist
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length ={{Duration|m=9|s=58}}

| title1  = Meri Khamoshi Hai
| extra1  = Ishan Mitra
| length1 = 5:18

| title2  = So Ja So Ja
| extra2  = [[Rekha Bhardwaj]]
| length2 = 4:40
}}

==Reception==

===Critical response===
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|score=53|count=15|average=4.7|consensus=|ref=yes |access-date=November 9, 2024}}

Positive reviews gave definite praise for Anushka's performance and praised the makers for making a movie in this genre. While Renuka Vyavahare of TOI called it "Anushka's strongest work as an actor-producer so far", she also went on to add that, "Pari has the ability to redefine the genre as it's refreshingly different, atmospheric and moody".<ref>[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/pari/movie-review/63134381.cms Pari Movie Review (3.5/5): Anushka’s strongest work as an actor-producer so far. Dark, dangerous and immensive], The Times of India, 2 March 2018</ref> Rajeev Masand of News18 gave the film a rating of 2 out of 5 saying that, "Pari, co-produced by and starring Anushka Sharma, is a competently made film that's rich in atmospherics", but he went onto conclude that "Pari doesn't come together in a coherent, satisfying way. What starts out interestingly, ends in a mess."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/pari-review-anushka-sharma-starrer-doesnt-come-together-in-a-coherent-satisfying-way-1677025.html |title=Pari Review: Anushka Sharma-starrer Doesn't Come Together in a Coherent, Satisfying Way |date=4 May 2018 |publisher=[[News18]]}}</ref> Rohit Bhatnagar of ''[[Deccan Chronicle]]'' stated: "Pari is a delightful treat to those who are fond of horror flicks. And stop complaining that Bollywood doesn't produce good horror films!"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/020318/pari-movie-review-anushka-sharma-indias-conjuring-horror-prosenjit-ch.html|title=Pari movie review: Anushka ensures that India's Conjuring is here|date=2 March 2018|publisher=}}</ref> Koimoi reviewed Pari as "one of the best to come out of this genre". As a last word, they added: "Hollywood, please take out the notepad and write down the stuff from Pari on how to make a non-clichéd horror film. Surely one of the best in this genre & a must-watch for the fans. Producer Anushka Sharma needs a special mention to make this possible" and rated the film 3.5 out of 5.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.koimoi.com/reviews/pari-movie-review-one-of-the-best-to-come-out-of-this-genre/|title=Pari Movie Review: One Of The BEST To Come Out Of This Genre|date=2 March 2018|publisher=}}</ref> ''Gulf news'' gave the movie 3 stars out of 5 and wrote that "Anushka Sharma's horror film is a world apart from other ghoulish Bollywood offerings, and that's a good thing".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/leisure/movies/reviews/pari-film-review-this-one-will-chill-you-1.2181238|title='Pari' film review: This one will chill you|date=March 2018 |publisher=}}</ref>
 
Rohit Vats of ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' gave the film a rating of 1 out of 5 and said that, "Anushka Sharma's film Pari is a confusing tale of ghosts, ghouls, djinns and forced legitimacy. Pari appears puzzled, as if they don't know how to end what they started. With 136 minutes of screen time, Pari doesn't head anywhere."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/pari-movie-review-anushka-sharma-s-bland-film-doesn-t-know-what-it-wants-to-bew/story-INenPNu9IZFrNxvkYg1bgJ.html |title=Pari movie review: Anushka Sharma's film is jumbled, chaotic and bland |date=2 March 2018 |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> Lakshana N Palat of ''[[India Today]]'' gave the film a rating of 2 out of 5 saying that, "The story of Pari is submerged under irrelevant scenes, jump scares, and the desperate need to fall into the horror-film category. It's a shame, because the storyline was actually quite a unique and interesting one."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/pari-movie-review-anushka-sharma-1180647-2018-03-02 |title=Pari Movie Review: Anushka Sharma is haunted by demons and a blotchy script |date=2 March 2018 |publisher=[[India Today]]}}</ref> Shubhra Gupta of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' gave the film a rating of 1 out of 5 and concluded her review by saying that, "Anushka Sharma plays Rukhsana with a great deal of bloody enthusiasm. You cannot accuse her of not trying hard, but the film is so poorly-written, and so scatter-brained that nothing can rescue it."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/pari-review-anushka-sharma-5083109/ |title=Pari movie review: The Anushka Sharma starrer fails to rise above its silliness |date=3 March 2018 |publisher=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> Saibal Chatterjee of [[NDTV]] said about the film that, "It lacks the narrative consistency that its in-your-face methods needed in order to be truly effective. In the end, the makers of Pari try way too hard. The outcome is an extended blur that leaves you dazed but totally unimpressed." and gave the film a rating of 2 out of 5.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/pari-movie-review-anushka-sharma-pulls-out-all-stops-in-uneven-forgettable-film-1818857 |title=Pari Movie Review: Anushka Sharma Pulls Out All Stops In Uneven, Forgettable Film |work=NDTV |publisher=[[NDTV]]}}</ref>

===Accolades===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Award
! Category
! Nominees
! Result, Ref.
|-
|rowspan=2 | ''[[Zee Cine Awards 2019|Zee Cine Awards]]''
|Best Actress (Jury's Choice)
|Anushka Sharma
|{{Nom}}
|- 
|Best Debut Director (Jury's Choice)
|Prosit Roy
|{{Nom}}
|-
| rowspan=3 | [[25th Screen Awards|Screen Awards]]
| Best Actress (Critics)
| |Anushka Sharma
|{{Nom}}
|- 
| Best Film (Critics)
|
|{{Nom}}
|-
| Best Promising Debut Director (Critics)
| Prosit Roy
|{{Nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2 | [[64th Filmfare Awards|Filmfare Awards]]
| Best VFX
|[[Red Chillies VFX]]
| {{Nom}}<ref name="ndtv.com">[https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/filmfare-awards-2019-complete-list-of-nominations-2011669 Filmfare Awards 2019: Complete List Of Nominations]</ref>
|-
| Best Sound Design
| [[Anish John]]
|{{Nom}}<ref name="ndtv.com"/>
|-
|[[Critics' Choice Movie Awards]]
|Best Actress
|Anushka Sharma
| {{Nom}}
|}

==See also==
* [[List of Hindi horror films]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|7329858}}
* {{Bollywood Hungama movie|pari}}

[[Category:2018 Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:2018 Indian films]]
[[Category:Genies in film]]
[[Category:Indian supernatural horror films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Demons in film]]
[[Category:Indian pregnancy films]]
[[Category:Film censorship in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Obscenity controversies in film]]
[[Category:2010s supernatural horror films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Anupam Roy]]
[[Category:2018 horror films]]
[[Category:2018 films]]
[[Category:Censored films]]
[[Category:Ifrits]]
[[Category:Films about Satanism]]
[[Category:The Devil in film]]
[[Category:Films set in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Islamic fiction]]
[[Category:Religious controversies in film]]
[[Category:Films set in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Islam-related controversies in Asia]]
[[Category:Indian religious horror films]]
[[Category:2018 controversies]]
[[Category:Hindi-language horror films]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Pari (2018 Indian film)|access_date=2026-03-05}}