Hacked
Ratings: 2.5/5
Duration: 1 hr 58 mins
Director: Vikram Bhatt
Genre: Thriller
Release Date: 7th February 2020 (India)
Star Cast: Hina Khan, Rohan Shah, Komal Chhabria, Sid Makkar, Sheetal Dabholkar, Mohit Malhotra, Tanvi Thakkar, Sanjay Gurbaxani, Pravina Deshpande, Garrvil Mohan, Ashutosh Jha, Ram Naresh Diwakar
Plot: Hacked is the story of Sameera Khanna (Hina Khan), an editor of a fashion magazine, who is in love with a married Bollywood actor Om Kapoor (Sid Makkar) who keeps giving her false hopes of him getting divorced.
However, when he doesn’t show up on her birthday party, Sam feels shattered and seeks comfort in Vivek (Rohan Shah), a cute kid from her apartment complex who has a huge secret crush on her. After that night, when Sam and Vivek spend together, his obsession for her only grows and that is when everything comes crashing down. He makes her life hell by using the deep dark side of the digital and the social media world, which is now the reality and real-life for everyone.
Review: Director Vikram Bhatt who specializes in horror supernatural films and is known for giving stories which are dark, thrilling, bold, has entered the new territory of cybercrime, with the film ‘Hacked’.
Bhatt has taken a very good subject which depicts the dark, scary and ugly side of the internet world. Despite many things shown which seems unbelievable when it comes to hacking, it makes the viewers aware and witnesses to what extent the internet can ruin lives. And how the skill of hacking can be used in the wrong way.
But with mediocre writing, it will remind you of a popular Netflix series ‘You’ but a desi version of it. Though the intention is quite good, it looks way too much drama. Instead, a loud and clear message with crispness and subtlety would have worked better when it comes to such crucial contents.
When it comes to performances, Hina Khan has done a decent job with the script she has been given. But, at times she is either seen too dramatic or plain flat. While Rohan Shah, tries to be this convincing sociopath, but what he does ends up looking like a harmless kid and didn’t work for this young actor. Even, Mohit Malhotra who plays Hina’s childhood friend and neighbor is good too. But his talent seemed a bit wasted.
Songs are pretty melodies to enjoy, but the use of songs seemed forced, that has stretched the story, and which ultimately affected the narration. Though Bhatt camp has always been known for their impeccable taste in music.
Overall, ‘Hacked' is quite an interesting watch as the topic is relevant and significant but is just a half-baked attempt that would make the viewers feel stretched and too dramatic in parts, though the message is something one must not miss out on.
