Exploring the Unseen Terrors of Ram Gopal Varma’s ‘Agyaat’

Ram Gopal Varma’s ‘Agyaat’ delves into the perils of modern life, where cutthroat competition can lead to deadly consequences. The film unit in ‘Agyaat’ faces mysterious threats, reminiscent of Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s ‘Khamosh’. The source of the danger might be the characters’ own fears and ambitions. The cinematographer commits suicide, and the spotboy meets a gruesome end. In contrast to Varma’s previous horror film ‘Phoonk,’ where God conquers the Devil, in ‘Agyaat,’ no force offers protection. The film, as characters are eliminated, seems to pay homage to Agatha Christie’s ’10 Little Indians’. A striking irony emerges as the strict hierarchy of a film unit collapses under the pressure of imminent danger. The spotboy’s outburst against the spoiled superstar highlights how fear dissolves social barriers.