It looks like Bollywood has finally gotten over the pyar vyar ishq vishk entanglement and is looking to explore the mysterious world of the supernatural.  With films like Koi Mil Gaya, Saaya and now Rudraksh, it looks like the industry has found what it likes.    

Rudraksh is produced by Nitin Manmohan and directed by Mani Shankar.  Mani Shankar has come along way in his life.  Starting off by directing numerous music videos in 1994 all the way to his first major Hindi film, 16 December.  Although he hasn’t had super box-office success, his Telagu film, Manishi, one him critical acclaim as well as a best director award.  Will Rudraksh be his first major Hindi success?  Will it follow the trend of hits Bollywood has been putting up the last month (Koi Mil Gaya, Tere Naam)? Let’s just hope so.  Dr. Gayatri (Bipasha Basu) is not any ordinary doctor, she spends her time experimenting with healing powers that have no scientific explanation, voodoo magic that defies all logic, and other celestial and metaphysical activities that twist the mind inside-out. 

 Dr. Gayatri’s American based research crew come to India in hope to find out more about these paranormal events.  Much to their pleasant surprise, they meet Varun (Sanjay Dutt), an expert when it comes to the mystical world.  He possesses strong paranormal powers, which he uses to rid his fellow companions of their pain and anguish.  Varun’s ability to free people of their torment amazes Dr. Gayatri.  Varun agrees to allowing Dr. Gayatri to experiment with his powers.  This sounds all well and good, but something cryptic happens.  Varun realizes the existence of a dark power.  What is this power? Where has it come from?  What does it want from Varun? 

This power is what takes Varun on the adventure of a lifetime.  It is this journey that takes him to the snow peaked mountains of the Himalayas and the mysterious ruins of the legendary King Ravana’s palaces in Sri Lanka.  Varun tries hard to discover the magic behind the Rudraksh.  All of a sudden, things start falling into place, it begins to make so much more sense for him.

Sunil Shetty stars as the defiant Bhuria and Isha Koppikar plays his seducing consort, Lali. Rudraksh is a film that has a complete story.  The music for this film is composed by one of the latest sensations, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.  It seems as if Rudraksh will be another sci-fi hit.  Lady’s and Gentlemen, it seem like with this film it’s official, a new genre has opened its door to Bollywood.