Gaslight Plot:
The plot of Gaslight centres on a woman who returns to the ancesral house of her father after a long absence. Although her father Ratan Gaikwad invited her, when she arrives at the haveli, she is unable to locate him. Meesha (Sara Ali Khan) starts to notice odd things happening in the house. Lost items, unusual nocturnal footsteps, and often dimming gaslights that are moving on their own. Kapil (Vikrant Massey), whose brutal techniques might cause anyone to doubt their mental health, eventually reveals his true colours after she increasingly loses her sense of reality.
Gaslight Cast:
Sara Ali Khan (Meesha)
Vikrant Massey (Kapil)
Chitrangda Singh (Rukmani)
Akshay Oberoi (Rana)
Rahul Dev (Ashok-Cop)
What Works?
In the midst of the entire family turmoil, Gaslight makes an impressive effort with several scenes that are masterfully performed. Sara Ali Khan hears her father's voice in a scenario and goes on a hunt for him at midnight. The entire execution of the scene in which Sara follows Ratan Gaikwad is terrifying and will keep one intact.
The way the whole story has been brought up with a unique idea, deserves a thumbs up. The protracted sessions about her father's whereabouts undoubtedly produce stress and suspense, making both the villainy and the heroism more intense.
The story comes to a dramatic conclusion with a sensationally touching revelation about a button (belonging to Ratan Gaikwad) that aids Sara (played by Meesha) in locating her father and tying up loose ends, leading to an incredibly thrilling showdown. The unconventional casting and premise of Gaslight is one of the factors that makes it a must-watch.
What Doesn't Work?
Although the movie's synopsis calls it a suspense thriller, it falls short of frightening viewers to that degree. While being expertly shot in the low-key lighting, the film has some significant flaws. As an illustration, Rahul Dev, who portrayed a cop in Gaslight, could have improved his performance had he been given more screen time. Nevertheless, the makers forgot to spice up the drama by disregarding the supporting actors.
The characters of Sara Ali Khan and Vikrant Massey fell in love in one of the sequences, which wasn't intended. Here, the director has chosen to play it safe rather than imagining something novel that may have sent chills down the spine.
Cast Performance:
After Atrangi Re, Sara Ali Khan deserves 5 stars for her acting in Gaslight. The way she has picked up the character and carried it until the end is commendable. In stark contrast to her previous work, I was amazed at how effortlessly she was able to depict Meesha.
Both the nice guy and the bad guy are expertly portrayed by Vikrant Massey. He receives bonus points for playing a bad guy during the climax. One of the most exciting parts of Gaslight that shouldn't be missed is his hunt for Meesha.
Chitrangda Sen is perfect for the role of Ratan's second wife. She carries it with the ease and doesn't disappoint, while Akshay Oberoi's appearance is a complete disappointment.
Final Verdict:
One of the things that makes Gaslight a must-watch is the unique casting and idea. Even though the film has numerous flaws, I still think you should watch it once. While the plot of this Disney+Hotstar film may not leave you breathless, it does keep you intrigued. Gaslight is a one-time watch movie with commendable acting by its cast.