Set in a hostel, the film tells the story of a bright and rational-minded medical student Abhimanyu (Rajvvir Aroraa) who doesn’t believe in ghosts or spirits of dead people. So without a hitch he decides to move into the room number 404 in the hostel which has been locked for many years because everyone believes that it is frequented by the ghost of a student who committed suicide in it.
Abhimanyu thinks that all the talk of ghosts is hogwash and begins living in the room. Aniruddh, who is a professor of psychiatry, admires Abhimanyu’s courage.
But then, strange happenings in the room shake up Abhimanyu’s convictions. He senses the presence of somebody. Is it really a ghost? Or are a couple of college bullies playing a prank on him? Or is it just his mind that’s playing tricks on him?
To the credit of Prawaal Raman, ‘404’ boasts of a refreshingly different story. And creating the spooky atmospherics is the commendable cinematography by Savita Singh.
Among actors, Rajvvir Aroraa is laudably restrained and Imaad Shah (as the bully Chris) is simply superb, conveying more with shrugs and stares than with dialogues. Nishikanth Kamat hams up as the psychiatry professor.
All in all, ‘404’ is a nice thriller with interesting twists and turns through somewhat slack pace. But what takes you by complete surprise is the twist in the end.
Make time for ‘404’ if you are a lover of thrillers.
Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5
