Dar ke aage …… khauf nahi hai !!

Dar ke aage …… khauf nahi hai : My quick take on web series “Khauf” (Amazon Prime)

A ‘Slow-Burn’ So Slow, Even a Candle Would Yawn. Just when we were still recovering from the horrorless haunted hiccup of Chhorii 2 last week, Amazon Prime decided to double down on its spook-tacular service with Khauf. Should we applaud their consistency? Maybe. Should we fear their idea of horror? Definitely—though not for the reasons they intended.

With a name like Khauf, one expects the kind of terror that makes you check under the bed, behind the curtain, and reconsider that midnight trip to the bathroom. But alas, Khauf doesn’t really khauf your nerves. At best, it mildly nudges your spine and whispers, “Boo, but only if you’re free this weekend.”

Now, when you hear that folks behind Tumbbad and Sacred Games are involved, your expectations don’t just rise—they catapult themselves into low Earth orbit, clutching a Netflix subscription. But sadly, director Pankaj Kumar and writer Smita Singh seem to have left their magic wand in another project. The chills here are more of the “AC is on too high” variety than the “OMG what was that sound?” kind. Hold on, lets give credit where it's due, the writer did made an lame attempt to highlight paranormal horror and the social horror which our ladies face in bustling metros like New Delhi, where the socital horror win hands down even the ghosts will stay away from the mortal demons.

The premise is actually promising: a girl with a haunted past moves into a room with a haunted history in a hostel that’s so eerily atmospheric, even the walls seem to be holding secrets. But what could’ve been a crackling psychological thriller ends up being a suspense soufflé that refuses to rise. In the name of ‘slow burn’, the pacing here is so sluggish, Asit Sen would pop out of his grave and say, “Thoda fast kar lo, bhai.”

Rajat Kapoor, ever the chameleonic craftsman, slips into the role of a sinister hakim with such ease, it’s disturbing—but not quite needed. His character could’ve taken the express exit without derailing the plot. Like that unnecessary coriander on a perfectly good biryani—decorative, but why?

Geetanjali Kulkarni is a revelation—turns out she’s an NSD graduate, and you see it in her layered performance. Shilpa Shukla, our very own Chak De girl, impresses too. But the crown jewel is Monika Panwar, who plays the lead with conviction and nuance. Add to that the fab four hostelmates, each contributing to the creepy camaraderie—now that’s a room worth watching.

The setting—ah, the hostel. Whoever found that location deserves a standing ovation and a mildly possessed medal. The building itself oozes ominous vibes and practically does the acting for some of the cast. Full marks to the production design team for creating a space where even the walls act.

Is there an evil spirit lurking? Or is this just one long-winded psychological unraveling wrapped in 8 stretched-out episodes? To find out, you’ll need patience, popcorn, and possibly a podcast on time management.

Overall, Khauf is like that distant relative who promises to be fun but overstays their welcome. It’s a decently watchable series—thanks largely to the cast and ambiance—but not exactly the edge-of-your-seat binge fest you were hoping for.