Phobia at 8! How Radhika Apte's performance elevated this psychological thriller
Eight-year anniversary of Phobia the film that cemented Radhika Apte as a leading lady.
May 27, 2024
Phobia
Eight years have passed since Phobia's release. Pavan Kirpalani produced and directed the 2016 psychological thriller which starred Radhika Apte in the lead role. The film is celebrating its anniversary today; you can catch up on streaming if you are a fan of this genre. Yes, Phobia is available to stream on ZEE5 (also on OTTplay Premium).
Phobia: Plot synopsis
In the film, despite her artistic talent, Mehak (Radhika Apte) suffers from severe agoraphobia after surviving a horrific assault. Nothing can frighten her more than the outer world. Shaan (Satyadeep Misra), her friend, thinks she would benefit from a change of place and relocates her to an empty flat. Mehak starts to worry that her new flat might be the most dangerous place ever because of the unusual attitude of the neighbours and the enigmatic disappearance of the previous tenant. Does she really face an imminent threat, or is this all in her head?
Radhika Apte's performance was the main reason for the good reception that Phobia received upon its premiere on May 27, 2016. Along with the actor's performance, the film's picturization, background music, and special effects were all well-received by critics and viewers.
Box office performance and critic reviews
The film received mixed reviews from critics, but Indian audiences were unimpressed, leading to a disastrous opening weekend. Only 540 theatres worldwide released the film. Many critics praised the lead actor's performance and direction, but the film's status as a solo psychological thriller meant that the production could not afford to spend much on the promotions.
Phobia was one of the first films in which Radhika had a leading role. Speaking about this, the actor told PTI that the weight of the film is not pressing on her. All these things don't cross her mind. This is her job, and truthfully, she carries out her duties as assigned. If others appreciate it, great; if not, she will work on becoming a better artist.
However, over time, Phobia has gained a fan base, making it one of the go-to thriller films for fans of this genre.
ALSO READ: The Radhika Apte quiz
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