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{{Use Indian English|date=May 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Phobia
| image = Phobia - Poster.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| director = [[Pavan Kirpalani]]
| producer = Viki Rajani
| writer = {{plainlist|
*Pavan Kirpalani
*Pooja Ladha Surti
*Arun Sukumar
}}
| screenplay = {{plainlist|
*Pavan Kirpalani
*Pooja Ladha Surti
*Arun Sukumar
}}
| based_on =
| starring = [[#Cast|See below]]
| music = Daniel George<ref name="Phobia: Main Story">{{cite news|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.co.in/phobia-11/|title=Phobia: Main Story|work=[[Box Office India]]|date=27 May 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617042558/http://www.boxofficeindia.co.in/phobia-11/|archivedate=17 June 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=10 February 2017}}</ref>
;Background score : Karan Gaur<ref name="Phobia: Main Story"/>
| cinematography = [[Jaya Krishna Gummadi]]
| editing = Pooja Ladha Surti
| studio = {{plainlist|
*[[Eros International]]
*[[Next Gen Films]]
}}
| distributor = Pixel Digital Studios
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2016|5|27}}
| runtime = 111 minutes<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/review-of-phobia-a-nervewrecking-ride/article8654941.ece|title=Phobia: a nerve-wracking ride|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref>
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| budget =
| gross = {{INRConvert|32.5|m}}<ref name="Box Office: Worldwide Collections and Day wise breakup of Phobia">{{cite news|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office/special-features/id/668|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604060536/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office/special-features/id/668|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 June 2016|title=Box Office: Worldwide Collections and Day wise breakup of Phobia|work=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=28 May 2016|accessdate=5 June 2016}}</ref>
}}

'''''Phobia''''' is a 2016 Indian [[psychological thriller]] film, directed by Pavan Kirpalani and produced by Viki Rajani. The film stars [[Radhika Apte]] in the leading role as Mehak, an artist suffering from severe [[agoraphobia]]. Produced jointly by [[Eros International]] and [[Next Gen Films]], it was released on 27 May 2016.

Development began in 2015, when Rajani signed Radhika Apte for a film to be made under his banner. Rajani worked on the script, with principal photography taking place in [[Mumbai]]. The film features music by Daniel B George. The film features only one song. The lyrics for song 'Roke na ruke' were written by Jay Shankar Prasad and sung by Sakina Khan and Sidharth Basrur.

''Phobia'' was released on 27 May 2016 to positive response,<ref name=IBTpositive>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/phobia-movie-review-by-audience-live-update-680263|title='Phobia' movie review by audience: Live update|newspaper=[[International Business Times]]|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=30 May 2016}}</ref> with praise centered on Radhika Apte's performance. Apart from her performance, the film's other production elements and picturisation, background score and special effect works were also praised by the critics and audience.

==Plot==
Mehak Deo ([[Radhika Apte]]) is a highly talented artist. An unfortunate traumatic event - being molested by a taxi driver – causes her to develop extreme [[Agoraphobia]], a condition in which the individual is paranoid about being in public places and dislikes socializing with large groups of unknown people. Mehak's sister Anusha ([[Nivedita Bhattacharya]]), initially supportive, becomes exhausted with her eccentric behavior, especially when it starts impacting her own 5-year-old son.

Shaan (Satyadeep Mishra), a close friend, takes Mehak to an empty apartment, on the assumption that living alone for a while might benefit her. At the new apartment, Mehak befriends Nikki ([[Yashaswini Dayama]]), a college-going girl who lives in the neighbourhood. Her other neighbour Manu (Ankur Vikal) is working on anger management issues and is part of a community laughter club.

Manu is devastated because his girlfriend, Jiah Khurana (Amrita Bagchi), has left him. Jiah had earlier lived in Mehak's new apartment and suddenly disappeared without a trace; without paying rent and without claiming her advance deposit back leaving behind most of her belongings. Mehak comes across Jiah's diary chronicling her tempestuous and abusive relationship with Manu due to his temper issues. Mehak concludes from the diary that Manu killed Jiah, convinced by Jiah's sudden departure, Manu's seemingly questionable behaviour and a series of vivid visions she has of what seems to be Jiah's death like a severed finger in her freezer, a red knife on her bathroom floor (identical to one she saw in Manu's hands earlier), a male intruder in her bedroom and a wounded woman in her bathtub. This prompts her to call Jiah's parents to convey her suspicions, though Shaan is sceptical.

Jiah suddenly arrives and confronts them regarding Mehak's call to Jiah's parents. Jiah then reconciles with a reformed Manu, confirming that Mehak was mistaken leaving Mehak questioning her very reality.

When Shaan confesses that he has always loved her and tries to kiss her, she spurns him and berates him furiously, accusing him of exploiting her weakened state of mind. During the resulting confrontation between them, since the exact sequence of events occurs just like her visions, Mehak realizes that they were premonitions of her future. She then concludes that she's the one who's going to be killed by Shaan (who she realises is the intruder and that she is the wounded woman with her finger severed). In a paranoid delusional panic she attacks him with a knife. Shaan's attempts to calm her result in her finger getting severed accidentally. Shaan calls for an ambulance after preserving her severed digit in her freezer.

She locks up Shaan in her bedroom and exits her building in a daze finally having overcome her fear. In the climactic scene, her vision once again coincides with reality, as we see a painting she created earlier, showing hands reaching out to her, mirrors the situation in which she is injured and goes out in the open for help, overcoming her condition.<ref name="Phobia: Main Story"/><ref name="Phobia Movie Review">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/Phobia/movie-review/52460987.cms|title=Phobia Movie Review|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|author=Mohar Basu|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref>

==Cast==
*[[Radhika Apte]] as Mehak Deo, a young, gifted artist suffering from [[agoraphobia]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/05/27/phobia-review-radhika-apt_n_10162814.html|title='Phobia' Review: Radhika Apte To The Rescue|newspaper=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=29 May 2016}}</ref>
*[[Satyadeep Mishra]] as Shaan, Mehak's friend<ref name="Bollywood Box Office: 'Waiting' Vs 'Phobia' Vs 'Veerappan'">{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/dongroves/2016/05/29/bollywood-box-office-waiting-vs-phobia-vs-veerappan/2/#51d0f5277337|title=Bollywood Box Office: 'Waiting' Vs 'Phobia' Vs 'Veerappan'|newspaper=[[Forbes]]|date=29 May 2016|accessdate=30 May 2016}}</ref>
*[[Ankur Vikal]] as Mannu Malhotra
* [[Yashaswini Dayama]] as Nikki
*[[Nivedita Bhattacharya]] as Anusha Deo, Mehak's sister.<ref name="Bollywood Box Office: 'Waiting' Vs 'Phobia' Vs 'Veerappan'"/>
*Amrita Bagchi as Jiah, Mannu's girlfriend who suddenly disappears.<ref name="Bollywood Box Office: 'Waiting' Vs 'Phobia' Vs 'Veerappan'"/>
*[[Faezeh Jalali]] as Psychiatrist
*Salone Mehta as Gul aunty
*[[Arush Nand]] as Joey
*Dinyar Tirandaz as Hormos
*Amit Kumar Pandey as cab-driver
*Malhar Goenka as debt collector

==Production==
===Development and casting===
The film was directed by Pawan Kirpalani, and the screenplay was written by Pawan Kirpalani and Arun Sukumar. The film was made under the collaboration with [[Eros International]] and [[Next Gen Films]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Phobia|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/cast/id/7836438|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430041615/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/cast/id/7836438|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 April 2016|work=Bollywood Hungama|accessdate=26 May 2016}}</ref>

[[Pre-production]] work on ''Phobia'' began in the last quarter of 2015 when Viki Rajani announced his plans of making a new project with debutant Pawan Kripalani. Following the success of her previous films ''[[Manjhi - The Mountain Man]]'' and ''[[Ahalya (2015 film)|Ahalya]]'' Apte was contracted by Rajani to play the main character in the film. On casting Apte, Rajani commented, “Radhika has proved her acting prowess time and again with her previous films. I am sure she will be able to deliver another enthralling performance in this genre, which is also a first for me. Pawan has earlier directed this genre expertly and audiences can look forward to a taut edgy thriller."<ref name="Radhika Apte to explore thriller genre with ‘Phobia’">{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/radhika-apte-to-explore-thriller-genre-with-phobia/|title=Radhika Apte to explore thriller genre with 'Phobia'|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=6 October 2015|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref>

After casting Apte in the film, Apte said in a statement that, "I absolutely love thrillers and horrors, so I'm very happy to be doing my first film in this genre. I am particularly excited about my collaboration with Eros, Next Gen and Pawan Kriplani on our project together."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/radhika-apte-excited-about-psychological-thriller-phobia-1228882|title=Radhika Apte 'Excited' About Psychological Thriller Phobia|work=[[NDTV]]|date=6 October 2015|accessdate=28 May 2016}}</ref>

===Filming===
Before the principal photography of the film began, Apte reportedly met doctors and patients to do research for her role in the film. She was in close contact with [[psychiatrists]] and [[neurosurgeons]] in order to understand the mental and biological aspect of a phobia. She met patients and observed them to understand their behavioural patterns.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abplive.in/movies/radhika-apte-meeting-docs-for-phobia-237497#!|title=Radhika Apte meeting docs for 'Phobia'|newspaper=[[ABP News]]|date=30 October 2015|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref> Radhika said in a statement: "I'm in touch with doctors and they have shared valuable information with me about the subject. It has helped me get a deeper understanding of panic attacks."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/radhika-apte-in-research-mode-for-phobia/|title=Radhika Apte in research mode for 'Phobia'|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=25 December 2015|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref>

Principal photography commenced in October 2015 in [[Mumbai]].<ref name="Radhika Apte to explore thriller genre with ‘Phobia’"/> Within three months of one schedule, it ended in the second half of January 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/radhika-apte-wraps-up-phobia-shoot/|title=Radhika Apte wraps up 'Phobia' shoot|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=29 January 2015|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref>

Apte said that she had prepared to get to the core of the character for the film. She had much material to both read and watch.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-news/radhika-apte-has-done-extensive-research-to-prep-for-phobia/|title=Radhika Apte Has Done Extensive Research To Prep For 'Phobia'|work=[[Koimoi]]|date=26 May 2016|accessdate=30 May 2016}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[Mid-Day]]'', she spoke that her parents helped her prepare for the film. She revealed that she had turned to her surgeon parents for better understanding of the particular phobia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/how-radhika-aptes-parents-helped-her-prepare-for-phobia/17269151|title=How Radhika Apte's parents helped her prepare for 'Phobia'|newspaper=[[Mid-Day]]|date=25 May 2016|accessdate=30 May 2016}}</ref>

Before a couple of days of the release of the film, Apte shared her filming experience and said, "This is my first solo film. I was fine with the whole concept. But physically it was traumatic at times to shoot in the same closed location for long hours. The toughest part was to film the panic attack sequences. It takes a lot from your body as you have to breathe in a certain manner."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/acting-gives-me-a-kick-radhika-apte/|title=Acting gives me a kick: Radhika Apte|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=25 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref>

The director, Kripalani said that he was frightened before showing the film to the [[Central Board of Film Certification|censor board]], but they loved it and didn't suggest any cuts in the film. In a statement, he said, “I was really worried about how the censors will react because it is thematically an adult film. When they saw the movie, they called me in and said that they can’t cut one single thing from the movie."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/censors-giving-zero-cuts-for-radhika-apte-phobia-a-big-moment-director-pavan-kripalani-2819674/|title=Censors giving zero cuts for Phobia a big moment: Director Pavan Kripalani|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=26 May 2016|accessdate=28 May 2016}}</ref>

[https://m.imdb.com/name/nm12165059/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 Siddhaye Patel] was the continuity supervisor

===Marketing===
The marketing campaign was carried out by the lead actress Apte for the promotion of the film. She was seen in two shows on the small screen. The first is ''[[Girls on Top (2016 TV series)|Girls on Top]]'', where she revealed her biggest phobia. She was seen performing a song called "Darr" as a special guest. Radhika said, "It is extremely important for one to face their fears and live a bold life. As an actor we have to face many demons day after day and none of us want to fall in that pitfall but instead we want to fight them and continue rising."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Radhika-Apte-talks-about-her-biggest-phobia-on-MTV-Girls-on-Top/articleshow/52458145.cms|title=Radhika Apte talks about her biggest phobia on MTV Girls on Top|newspaper=The Times of India|date=26 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref>

The second show that she was seen was in ''[[Crime Patrol (TV series)|Crime Patrol]]''. She hosted a few episodes of the show. Commenting on her anchoring experience, Radhika said, “I am quite excited as I will be hosting a show for the first time. I am extremely grateful to Anoop as he doled out handy tips on anchoring. It was considerate of him to remain present throughout the shoot to oversee how the episode was coming along. The sequence is related to my film Phobia and it will surely leave a good message for the audience.”<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.asianage.com/bollywood/radhika-apte-turn-host-crime-patrol-728|title=Radhika Apte to turn host for Crime Patrol|newspaper=[[The Asian Age]]|date=22 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref>

==Soundtrack and reception==
{{Infobox album
| name = Phobia
| type = Soundtrack
| artist =
| cover =
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2016|5|18}}
| recorded = 2016
| venue =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 2:14
| label = [[Eros Now]]
| producer =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}

The music rights of ''Phobia'' were sold to [[Eros Now]]. The soundtrack, which released on 18 May 2016, featured music composed by Daniel B George with lyrics penned by Jay Shankar Prasad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://m.mid-day.com/videos/watch-radhika-apte-launches-roke-na-ruke-song-from-phobia/778553|title=Watch: Radhika Apte launches 'Roke Na Ruke' song from 'Phobia'|newspaper=[[Mid-Day]]|date=19 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://erosnow.com/#!/music/watch/1054506/phobia/6721929/exclusive---roke-na-ruke|title=Roke Na Ruke|work=[[Eros Now]]|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref> At the event, the lead actress Apte, director Kripalani and producer Rajani were present. It was a 360 degree video. The song was shot on a VR headset, and is one-of-its kind done in the history of cinema.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.co.in/phobia-song-launch/|title=Phobia Song Launch|work=[[Box Office India]]|date=19 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611042101/http://www.boxofficeindia.co.in/phobia-song-launch/|archive-date=11 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 2:14
| title1 = Roke Na Ruke
| lyrics1 = Jay Shankar Prasad
| extra1 = Sakina Khan, [[Siddharth Basrur]]
| length1 = 2:14
}}

The song got good response from the audiences. A critic of [[Zee ETC Bollywood]] said, "The song gets good response from the audience and now its become most trending song."<ref name="Roke Na Ruke Lyrics Radhika Apte, Phobia- Roke Na Ruke Phobia Song Lyrics & Video">{{cite news|url=http://etcbollywood.in/roke-na-ruke-lyrics-radhika-apte-phobia-roke-na-ruke-phobia-song-lyrics-video/|title=Roke Na Ruke Lyrics Radhika Apte, Phobia- Roke Na Ruke Phobia Song Lyrics & Video|work=[[Zee ETC Bollywood]]|date=22 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526141236/http://etcbollywood.in/roke-na-ruke-lyrics-radhika-apte-phobia-roke-na-ruke-phobia-song-lyrics-video/|archive-date=26 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Release==
The film had a special screening on 25 May 2016 attended by Apte and her friends in the industry including [[Kalki Koechlin]], [[Prateik Babbar]], [[Sayani Gupta]] and [[Rajkumar Rao]] among others.<ref>{{cite web|title=PIX: Kalki, Prateik watch Phobia with Radhika Apte|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/pix-kalki-prateik-watch-phobia-with-radhika-apte/20160526.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|accessdate=26 May 2016|date=26 May 2016}}</ref> The film got a positive response from many Bollywood celebrities. They expressed their response of the film via their Twitter handles.<ref name="ibtimes.co.in">{{cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/phobia-review-radhika-aptes-performance-impresses-bollywood-celebs-makers-plan-sequel-680200|title=Phobia' review: Radhika Apte's performance impresses Bollywood celebs; makers plan a sequel|newspaper=International Business Times|date=26 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref> [[Kalki Koechlin]] applauded Apte and said that she is one of the brilliant actress and the film is one kickass psychological thriller. She recommended to watch the film.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kalki-koechlin-finds-radhika-apte-brilliant-2820434/|title=Kalki Koechlin finds Radhika Apte brilliant|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=26 May 2016|accessdate=30 May 2016}}</ref> Popular celebrities, [[Varun Dhawan]], [[Arjun Kapoor]] and many other Bollywood celebrities showered praise on Apte's performance and on the film.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Phobia-garners-a-positive-response-in-Bollywood/articleshow/52449135.cms|title='Phobia' garners a positive response in Bollywood|newspaper=The Times of India|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=30 May 2016}}</ref>

The film released worldwide on 27 May 2016.<ref name="New 'Phobia' poster will blow your mind!">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/New-Phobia-poster-will-blow-your-mind/articleshow/52415994.cms|title=New 'Phobia' poster will blow your mind!|newspaper=The Times of India|date=24 May 2016|accessdate=25 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/radhika-apte-does-not-feel-pressure-of-playing-lead-in-phobia-2776707/|title=Radhika Apte does not feel pressure of playing lead in "Phobia"|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=29 April 2016|accessdate=25 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-i-m-heroine-of-phobia-not-hero-radhika-apte-2216099|title=I'm heroine of 'Phobia' not hero, says Radhika Apte|newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|date=24 May 2016|accessdate=25 May 2016}}</ref>

==Critical reception==

===India===
Upon release, ''Phobia'' received positive response from film critics in India.<ref name=IBTpositive /> Sweta Kaushal of ''[[The Hindustan Times]]'' gave 4 out of 5 stars and concluded saying, "Despite the element of horror, director Pawan Kriplani manages to keep the supernatural, religious drama at bay and opts for a psychological mayhem that makes for an impressive viewing experience."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/phobia-review-radhika-apte-offers-social-messages-with-a-scary-thriller/story-rgGHhPKfSeKosoox17prFP.html|title=Phobia review: Radhika Apte offers social messages with a scary thriller |newspaper=[[The Hindustan Times]]|author=Sweta Kaushal|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref> The film was also very well appreciated by [[Taran Adarsh]] of ''[[Bollywood Hungama]]''. Via ''[[Twitter]]'', he tweeted, "Expect the unexpected... #Phobia is a spine-chilling, nerve-racking, well-crafted psychological thriller. Radhika Apte is simply outstanding."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/phobia-movie-review-by-audience-live-update-680263|title='Phobia' movie review by audience: Live update|newspaper=International Business Times|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref>

Mohar Basu of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and said that, in ''Phobia'' there are minor glitches in the thrilling fare. He adds, that in the end, ''Phobia'' is an unnerving movie that plays skillfully on the fear of the unknown.<ref name="Phobia Movie Review"/> Suhani Singh of ''[[India Today]]'' in her 3.5-star review, explained that ''Phobia'' doesn't just scare the audience but also outsmart them. In addition, she says that just when they think that they have solved the mystery, director and co-writer Pawan Kripalani knocks the audience from their seats.<ref name="it">{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/phobia-review-radhika-apte-is-terrifyingly-good-in-this-psychological-horror/1/678587.html|title=Phobia review: Radhika Apte is terrifyingly good in this psychological horror|newspaper=[[India Today]]|author=Suhani Singh|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Radhika Apte at the special screening of 'Waiting'.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|Apte's performance was particularly praised by the critics]]

A reviewer of ''Bollywood Hungama'' gave 3 stars out of 5, saying, "an intriguing screenplay that keeps you riveted through the course of the film and the ending surprises you to no end".<ref name="bh">{{cite news|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/7836438|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518130510/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/7836438|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 May 2016|title=Phobia Movie Review|work=Bollywood Hungama|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref> Saibal Chatterjee of [[NDTV]] also gave 3 out of 5 stars and said that ''Phobia'' is a canny flick that places known genre conventions in fresh light, the kind that bestows new life on them.<ref name ="ndtv">{{cite news|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/phobia-movie-review-1269|title=Phobia Movie Review|newspaper=[[NDTV]]|author=Saibal Chatterjee|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref> Shubhra Gupta of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' called the film a "genuine frightener", saying that the film pulls it off with pizazz, helped by a crackerjack plot and performances.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/phobia-movie-review-star-rating-radhika-apte-2821512/|title=Phobia movie review: The Radhika Apte film is genuinely frightener|newspaper=The Indian Express|author=Shubhra Gupta|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref>

A review carried by the ''[[The Financial Express (India)|Financial Express]]'' mentioned,

{{blockquote|
Director Pawan Kripalani does an excellent job with the script and manages to deliver a fairly unique experience. The first half is taut and gripping but the script does sag into the second half and resolves with a climax that might be too abstract for mainstream taste. But paired with an excellent actress like Radhika Apte, together these two manage to win the hearts of the audiences.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/videos/entertainment-video/267400/phobia-full-movie-review-radhika-apte/|title=Phobia – Full Movie Review Radhika Apte|newspaper=[[The Financial Express (India)|Financial Express]]|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref>}}

Apte's performance in the film was singled out by many critics as noteworthy. A reviewer in ''Bollywood Hungama'' calling her performance "worthy of a [[National Film Award (India)|National Film Award]]", stated: "Apte is so effortless and so much in control of the extremely difficult character that as a viewer you'd find it stunning."<ref name="bh"/> While Singh said, "The makers couldn't have asked for a better actress, as Apte was terrifyingly good in this psychological horror".<ref name="it"/> Chatterjee deemed her "riveting" and said, "''Phobia'' wouldn't be half the film it is without the mercurial Radhika Apte. Watching her on the screen as emotions flash across her visage is an unalloyed delight."<ref name ="ndtv"/>

The background score and major technical aspects of the film including; the cinematography, the editing, the locations and the costumes, was also well appreciated by the critics. A critic from [[Box Office India]] praised the film's music and said, "Music by Daniel George is good and background score by Karan Gaur brilliantly captures the essence of the film, making the narration even more fascinating to watch." Also lauding the editing, which he called "Sharp", and technical aspects of the film he said, "Cinematography by Jayakrishna Gummadi earns brownie points as his camerawork brings substance to the story."<ref name="Phobia: Main Story"/>

===Overseas===
Overseas, the film received positive reviews. Shilpa Jamkhandikar of ''[[Reuters]]'' praised the film and said that the director, Kripalani passes the basic horror film test. In addition, she says that he scares the viewers to make them jump out of their seats and intrigues them enough to make them stay till the end.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2016/05/27/movie-review-phobia/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528155119/http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2016/05/27/movie-review-phobia/|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 May 2016|title=Movie Review: Phobia|newspaper=[[Reuters]]|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=30 May 2016}}</ref>

===Box office===
Though the film received mixed to positive reviews from the critics, the film had a disastrous opening at the [[Box Office India]]. The film was released in fewer theaters, over 540 theaters across the world. Since it is a solo psychological thriller, so the crew of the film did not invest much on the movie promotions, even though many critics appreciated the directing and performance of Apte.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tollytrendz.in/phobia-1st-day-collection-day-1-box-office-collections|title=Phobia 1st / 2nd Day Collection, 2 Days Box Office Collections|work=Tolly Trends|date=28 May 2016|accessdate=29 May 2016}}</ref>

The film opened to a very dull response in [[North India]] and [[East India]] as well as in the multiplexes. The film could only register 2-3% collections.<ref name="Phobia Veerapan Waiting Heading Towards Disaster">{{cite news|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/art_detail.php?articalid=2047|title=Phobia Veerapan Waiting Heading Towards Disaster|work=[[Box Office India]]|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref> On its first day, it earned only about {{INRConvert|2.5|m}} nett, with major collections coming from [[Mumbai]] and [[National Capital Region (India)|Delhi NCR]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://boxofficecollection.in/box-office-report/1st-day-collection-of-the-angry-birds-veerappan-phobia-waiting-attlg-18550|title=1st Day Collection of The Angry Birds, Veerappan, Phobia, Waiting & ATTLG|work=Box Office India|date=28 May 2016|accessdate=28 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.co.in/phobia-day-one-all-india-nboc/|title=Phobia Day One: All India NBOC|work=Box Office India|date=28 May 2016|accessdate=29 May 2016}}</ref> It collected nearly around {{INRConvert|5|m}} nett on Saturday<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/art_detail.php?articalid=2050#.V0ragfqXeK0|title=Saturday Box Office Update|work=Box Office India|date=29 May 2016|accessdate=29 May 2016}}</ref> as well as on Sunday, hence totaling its first weekend collection around {{INRConvert|12.5|m}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.koimoi.com/box-office/box-office-dull-opening-weekend-for-veerappan-phobia-waiting/|title=Box Office: Dull Opening Weekend For Veerappan, Phobia & Waiting|work=[[Koimoi]]|date=30 May 2016|accessdate=30 May 2016}}</ref>

From Monday to Thursday, the film collected a total earnings of {{INRConvert|11|m}}, taking its lifetime total to around {{INRConvert|23.4|m}} nett.<ref name="Box Office: Worldwide Collections and Day wise breakup of Phobia"/>

==Similarities==
In May 2016, before the release of the film, sources said that there are some similarities between the [[Ram Gopal Varma]] directorial ''[[Kaun (film)|Kaun]]'' and Kripalani's film ''Phobia'', which raises the question if he has taken the inspiration from the former. Both the films have the same director, shooting the entire film at one location and the central characters suffering from anxiety disorder. On this, the director Kriplani replied, "As an audience it was a fun movie and I really enjoyed but I understand why people compare ''Phobia'' with ''Kaun'' because both are psychological thriller and both have a girl trapped in the house."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/there-is-no-comparison-between-kaun-phobia-pawan-kriplani-2783912/|title=There is no comparison between 'Kaun', 'Phobia': Pawan Kriplani|newspaper=The Times of India|date=4 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref>

Apte had also dismissed suggestions of any similarities between both the films, pointing out that she does not take any inspiration from characters in other films to prepare for her own role. She replied and said, "''Phobia'' and ''Kaun'' have no similarities. ''Phobia'' is a very different film with a very different character. And, when I work on any character, I work very independently on it."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Radhika-Apte-Phobia-has-no-similarity-with-Urmila-Matondkars-Kaun/articleshow/52432739.cms|title=Radhika Apte: 'Phobia' has no similarity with Urmila Matondkar's 'Kaun'|newspaper=The Times of India|date=25 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref>

==Sequel==
As a result of the good response coming from the Bollywood celebrities, critics and audiences, the makers are reportedly planning a sequel of the film.<ref name="ibtimes.co.in"/> The producer Rajani confirmed that Pawan will be directing the sequel again and the script has been already put into development. He also adds that the sequel will be based on the fear of flying which is very common and everyone relates to easily.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.india.com/showbiz/phobia-sequel-on-the-cards-for-producer-viki-rajani-1215768/|title=Phobia sequel on the cards for producer Viki Rajani!|newspaper=India.com|date=26 May 2016|accessdate=30 May 2016}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Portal bar|Film|Bollywood}}
* {{Bollywood Hungama title|7836438}}
* {{IMDb title|5743656}}

[[Category:2016 films]]
[[Category:Indian psychological thriller films]]
[[Category:2016 psychological thriller films]]
[[Category:2010s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Films set in apartment buildings]]
[[Category:Films set in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Agoraphobia in fiction]]

Phobia (2016 film) - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article