Subhash Ghai has directed some of the most successful films in Indian cinema history, starring some of the biggest names in the industry. However, he hasn’t directed anything noteworthy in over two decades, with all of his subsequent directorial efforts, including Taal’s, not only receiving harsh critical acclaim but also failing miserably at the box office, which would’ve no doubt pricked a hardcore commercial filmmaker like him far more. There’s also the fact that, except for Meri Jung and Karz, none of his successful films have aged well. So, would Sanjay Mishra’s another movie into the OTT world, 36 Farmhouse, featuring Vijay Raaz, Amol Parashar, Ashwini Kalsekar, Barkha Singh, and Flora Saini.
During the lockdown, a father and son team (Sanjay Mishra and Amol Parashar) forgo their travel back to their village to take up residence in the titular 36 Farmhouse under the premise of duties they’re not prepared to accomplish in order to make a quick hit. They quickly discover, however, that the owner (Vijay Raaz) and his estranged extended family are hiding some dangerous secrets linked to the family matriarch’s bequest.
Subhash Ghai uses all of his years of directing experience to craft a solid thriller. 36 Farmhouse has a lot of twists and turns, with the climax striking out in particular. Sanjay Mishra and Vijay Raaz, in particular, rise above the screenplay by several notches, with the former even managing to pull out dollops of laughs in the most boring of moments. Amol Parashar, Ashwini Kalsekar, and Barkha Singh are on their side. Flora Saini, on the other hand, is the film’s total surprise package. It also helps that Shashank Mali and Anubhav Sarda’s quick editing keeps the movie moving at a fast pace, clocking in at only 1 hour and 45 minutes.
If you’ve been wanting for a decent Subhash Ghai film for a long time, 36 Farmhouse could be the answer, not least because of how wonderfully Sanjay Mishra, Flora Saini, Vijay Raaz, Amol Parashar, Ashwini Kalsekar, and Barkha Singh elevate it. No wonder, the actors did their job very well and appreciated the whole team for their great contribution in this film. It’s obviously a movie you can watch with your family and friends too.