I have often wondered which is more dangerous: the horror genre which takes the supernatural seriously or the horror-comedy genre which mocks the supernatural genre. Bhoot Police tries to turn the business of supernaturalism into a funny business. I sat through the trailer twice hoping to come away with at least one giggle or one titter .
Nothing! Saif Ali Khan who is normally funny when he doesn’t try too hard, is seen straining for laughter.Firstly , what’s with that accent, dude? Is it meant to be Bihari? Or something more outlandish? That swaggering I-am-too-cool-to-be-anyone’s-fool rusticity compounded with Arjun Kapoor as a companion in his creepiness makes Bhoot Police look like a distant cousin of Stree.
The trailer exudes a leery lasciviousness . The way Saif looks at and talks to Yami Gautam and Jacqueline Fernandez is creepy, and not in a scary but disturbing way. The trailer shows scant respect for men or women. The trailer is a snarling insult to good taste , best served hot and only for those who think tantriks are a funny breed.
Didn’t Saif play an unfunny tantrik in Tumbadd? Is he trying to countermand the damage?
Andh vishwas is amusing only when explored by rational minds. I am afraid that doesn’t seem to be the case here.If after Tandav , Saif seeks salvation in tantra-mantra then Bhoot Police may not be the ideal way of getting there.
Final verdict on the trailer: not funny , not scary. Just weird.