7 Khoon Maaf Review: A blood-chilling dark thriller

Priyanka Chopra starrer ‘Saat Khoon Maaf’ is a film that is bound to give you the creeps mostly for its blatant theme and bone-chilling storyline. A woman who has smelt blood is like an injured tigress desperate for a kill and Priyanka Chopra is the real tigress of this breath-taking caper which will have you at the edge of the seat for most part.
Director Vishal Bharadwaj adeptly breathes life into the story of Ruskin Bond but faces the intricate complexities of converting a short story into an exhaustive screenplay. Hence, the screenplay has its flaws but they are overshadowed by the powerful performance put in by Priyanka who does a brilliant job.
The mood of the film is dark and scary and the haunting background score adds to the sinister aura making your heart skip beat at times. The film belongs to Priyanka and she magnificently rises to the occasion by splendidly portraying the 7 stages of her life.

Her 7 screen husbands right from Neil Nitin Mukesh to veteran Naseeruddin Shah have been given almost equal importance and screen time. Young Vivaan Shah shows promise and dishes out a commendably thunderous performance.
Though Priyanka’s husbands have been shown ill-suited to her thereby lending her an opportunity to slay them, the reasons why she kills them are not convincing enough and this is where the film falters a bit.

Priyanka Chopra has easily given her best performance in 7 Khoon Maaf. Vishal Bharadwaj adopted this film’s story from Ruskin Bond’s short story Susanna’s Seven Husbands. He made a wonderful film with that little substance on hands which shows his prowess as the director. Priyanka plays Susanna Anna Marie Johannes in 7 Khoon Maaf. Susanna’s life of 35 years span is shown in the film and in that time she marries as many as seven times.

Vivaan Shah is a revelation in this film. Neil Nitin Mukesh, John Abraham, Irrfan Khan, Aleksandr Dyanchenko, Anu Kapoor and Naseeruddeen Shah played Priyanka Chopra’s six husbands in 7 Khoon Maaf. We leave alone the seventh husband’s name as it would spoil the fun. 7 Khoon Maaf is an engaging movie with its share of dull moments and illogical scenes.

Despite the flaws, Vishal Bharadwaj’s screenplay holds the attention of audience and keeps them glued to the screens. Second half drags a bit in the middle and the reasons for murders doesn’t seem convincing enough. Few stories aren’t written well or else 7 Khoon Maaf might have become a masterpiece. Saying so, it is a brilliant movie as is and is a must watch to all the movie lovers.

Yet, despite some minor flaws, the film is gripping, blood-freezing and intensely watchable.