Boomika
Boomika | |
---|---|
Vidhu Stone Bench Films | |
Original release | |
Network | Star Vijay |
Release | 22 August 2021 |
Boomika also spelt as Bhoomika
Plot
In
Meanwhile, Samyuktha "Sam" - a psychologist based in Ooty, is seeking medical therapy for her 4-year-old son - Siddhu, who suffers from speech impediment. Sam's husband, Gautham, is a rising architect, who has just concluded a deal for the refurbishment of a deserted compound, for a politician. To focus on the project, the couple invites Gautham's childhood-friend, Gayathri - a reputed architect, and Aditi - Gautham's sister, to live with them at the compound.
While preparing to stay at the compound for the night, Gayathri begins texting with Krishna, an old-friend of hers. While sending a selfie of her and Aditi to him, he eerily replies that, he too, will be seen the picture - if they "begin to take things more seriously". However, Gautham reveals that Krishna, had died in a car accident the previous night, and that phones don't get satellite connectivity at the compound. Soon after, more paranormal activities begin to occur; Gayathri's phone begins to regularly beep with newer messages, despite her even having removed its battery. Concurrently, the power blacks out. Horrified with the recent events, the group attempts to flee, only to thwarted by their malfunctioning car.
Having retreated back into the compound, Sam and Gayathri deduce that the recent texts weren't sent by "Krishna", given his premature demise, but that of a paranormal source. Gautham then divulges that the compound, was earlier a school, which had been deserted over ten-years ago, on account of paranormal activities in the aftermath of a girl's death - infamously known as the "Mount Roseyard School Mystery". While seeking to find clues about the school's history, the group discovers several magazines with articles relating to the mystery; the pages of the articles are missing. Concurrently, Aditi - petrified with the recent events, attempts to flee, only to be ambushed by a pack of wild dogs. Gautham and Dharman - the compound's security guard, manage to save her, despite all three getting injured. While treating Aditi, the group discovers the torn pages in the house of the school's former librarian.
While reading the pages, the group learns that the girl in-question, Boomika - was the
Dharman bizarrely quips that Boomika and the Earth "are the same" - it will take revenge on anyone who dares to "desecrate it". Gayathri deduces his view as the Gaia Hypothesis - that the Earth itself is a single, self-regulating organism, while other living forms thrive in a sort of symbiotic relationship with it; any organism which threatens to destabilize the Earth's ecological balance with ruin, will be killed. Elsewhere, Gautham visits the abandoned flat where Boomika used to paint, and witnesses the wall-paintings moving. Simultaneously, a paranoid Aditi, manages to musters enough courage to destroy Gayathri's phone - which she believes is the root cause for the recent events. Gayathri follows her, only to stop dead in her tracks, when she sees a ghastly apparition - presumably Boomika's spirit, behind Aditi. "Boomika" knocks out Aditi and Gayathri, and begins to chase Sam, who attempts to flee. Dharman manages to create a distraction; he is knocked out instead. Sam reunites with Gautham; they rush back into the compound upon realizing than Siddhu was left behind. Sam finds Siddhu painting with "Boomika"; she leaves a few moments later, without harming him, but not before Siddhu utters "Thank You", indicating that he overcame his impediment.
With "Boomika" presumably gone, the group vacates the house. In the aftermath of the night's events - Aditi is shown to be receiving therapy for trauma, Gayathri is recuperating from her injuries, Dharman has retreated to his hometown, Siddhu has regained his ability of speech, while Gautham remains in Ooty to focus on the refurbishment project; he cautiously conducts a
Upon her return to Ooty, Sam is told that Gautham is about to refurbish the abandoned flat; however, she is too late to save him, as the flat's door locks Gautham inside, leaving him trapped, much to Sam's despair. Gautham witnesses the wall-paintings moving once again; he sees "Boomika" right in front of him. She lets out a scream, before the screen cuts to black - implying that she is about to kill Gautham.
Cast
- Aishwarya Rajesh as Samyuktha "Sam" Gowtham
- Avantika Vandanapu as Boomika
- Vidhu as Gowtham
- Pavel Navageethan as Dharman
- Surya Ganapathy as Gayathri
- Madhuri Jain as Aditi
- Ayaan Abhishek, as Siddhu
- Prasanna Balachandran (Nakkalites), as Ganesan
- Eashvar Karthic as Krishna, Gayathri, Sam and Gowtham's friend
- Srija Priyadharshini (Nakkalites), as Sumathi
Production
The film project was announced by Rathindran R. Prasad as his second directorial venture after his unreleased film project Ithu Vedhalam Sollum Kathai.
Soundtrack
Soundtrack was composed by Prithvi Chandrasekhar.[12]
- Mannenum Maaya Thee - Prithvi Chandrasekhar, Andrea Jeremiah
Release
The film has its direct premiere via Star Vijay on 22 August 2021 at 3 pm and opened to generally mixed reviews.[13] The film was globally premiered via Netflix on 23 August 2021, the day after the television premiere.[14]
Reception
First Post rated the film 2 out of 5 stars indicating that the film uses a textbook approach to the monster in the house genre.[15] Indian Express rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars indicating that the film is a watchable thriller.[16] The Hindustan Times stated, "the film is a visually pleasing thriller with convoluted messaging."[17] Times of India gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars and stated, "its an elegantly shot horror thriller that gives in-your-face message."[18] Sify wrote "Boomika begins well with an interesting premise and a much-needed message at a time when the entire world is suffering due to global warming and other environmental hazards but it suffers due to the preachy tone!".[19]
References
- ^ Joseph, Raveena (7 April 2015). "For the love of music". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2024 – via www.thehindu.com.
- ^ "நவீன இசையமைப்பாளர்". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). 30 August 2021.
- ^ "Aishwarya Rajesh's 'Bhoomika' gets OTT release date". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- ^ "Aishwarya Rajesh starrer Boomika promises to be a gripping horror movie". The Indian Express. 10 August 2021. Archived from the original on 12 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Watch: Trailer of Aishwarya Rajesh's Boomika hints at an eerie film". The News Minute. 16 August 2021. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- ^ "Boomika Movie Review: A taut horror drama with some interesting ideas". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Aishwarya Rajesh's 'Boomika' gears up for television premiere". The News Minute. 31 July 2021. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Aishwarya Rajesh's Boomika, a horror-thriller that unfolds in a forest, will premiere on August 23. Watch". Hindustan Times. 16 August 2021. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- ^ kavitha (20 August 2021). "OTT: A feel-good family fare & Aishwarya's 'eco-horror' film". The Federal. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- ^ Agency (21 August 2021). "Bhoomika is special to me, says Aishwarya Rajesh". News Today | First with the news. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- ^ "Aishwarya Rajesh's 25th film titled 'Boomika'". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 11 September 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- ^ "Boomika songs download". Raaga. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "Aishwarya Rajesh's Boomika to have a TV premiere?". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- ^ "Boomika to premiere on Netflix on this date". The Indian Express. 17 August 2021. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Boomika movie review: Aishwarya Rajesh, director Rathindran R Prasad's eco-horror feature is a tropey affair". Firstpost. 23 August 2021. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- ^ "Boomika movie review: Aishwarya Rajesh stars in a watchable thriller". The Indian Express. 23 August 2021. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- ^ "Boomika movie review: Aishwarya Rajesh's film is a visually pleasing thriller with convoluted messaging". Hindustan Times. 23 August 2021. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
- ^ "Boomika Review: An elegantly shot horror thriller with in-your-face messaging", The Times of India, archived from the original on 22 August 2021, retrieved 27 August 2021
- ^ "Boomika review: An average horror thriller". Sify. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.