Be it Raaz or Murder series, or even horror flicks like 1920 and Haunted, the Bhatts have tapped the pulse of the youth well. VIKRAM BHATT tells SHIBAJI ROYCHOUDHURY that he has been honest to the idea of horror in his upcoming film Horror Story
When it comes to horror, Bollywood has been more funny than fearful. Be it Veerana in 1988, the Ramsay Brothers one-dimensional approach to horror or Ram Gopal Varma’s misadventures with Darna Mana Hai, most efforts have, indeed, been laughable. From clichéd, blood thirsty paranormal creatures, to creaking doors to moaning voices to dark woods to witch doctors, nothing really has spooked up the audiences. But, this trend is changing now with innovative filmmaking coming out of the film industry and the Bhatts have been this genre’s flag-bearers.
“There are no secret ingredients to making a good horror movie. One has to be honest to the idea of horror, without unnecessarily adding entertainment value or deviating from the original focus of scaring people. If someone is buying a ticket to watch a horror film, as a filmmaker, it is my duty to ensure that every sinew aligning his bones shivers while watching the film,” producer Vikram Bhatt says.
He says the idea of his upcoming mount flashed across his inward eye while he was shooting for Raaz 3. “During the shoot, I was sitting in a hotel in Mumbai and it occurred to me that a night in a haunted hotel could turn out to be quite a horror story. In fact, while thinking about it I got goose bumps and consequently started writing the film,” Bhatt says.
Horror Story is about seven childhood friends meeting after years to give a farewell party to one of them as he is leaving for an overseas assignment. It is what happens to them during their last night of fun and partying is what the film is all about.
Among this motley lot, some believe in the paranormal while others don’t till, of course, they face their worst nightmare. “This film will be very different to what we are used to watching in Bollywood. It is realistic and unlike the usual larger than life horror films. Our youngsters are smart. Hence, you won’t see superstitions or supernatural things happening. No reference to mythology or flying ghosts either. Rather, it’ll feel like it could actually happen to you,” he tells you.
Unlike Haunted (first ever 3D horror film in Bollywood), this one isn’t 3D. Yet, there are a lot of special effects in place, for it to be compared to Hollywood horror movies in terms of execution, Bhatt insists. But when Hollywood comparisons happen, speculation about whether the movie is “inspired” by a Hollywood film becomes a hot topic of discussion. Horror Story is no different and talk is that it is inspired by the 1997 scream film I Know What You Did last Summer.
“This film is pure horror while that one was more like a thriller and a lot of blood slashes,” Bhatt says. While the 1920 series was directed by Bhatt himself, for Horror Story, he has put his trust into fresh new director Ayush Raina. “He has also done some good work with documentaries and short films. And, I love how the film has shaped up. Ayush has done an excellent job,” Bhatt tells you.
Perhaps, one can take his word for that considering the success story the Bhatt family has scripted over the past few years. Ask Vikram what keeps them so confined and pat comes the reply. “The money I earn out of it is what drives me most (laughs). Off late, I have had the most success making horror/thriller films. When it comes to the quality of horror films made in India, it hasn’t really been up to the mark when we compare it with Hollywood flicks, so I keep attempting to move closer with every attempt,” he says.
But, the spooky Bhatt is all set to expand his horizon. “I’m already making a sci-fi adventure film which will be a creature movie, somewhat like Jurassic Park,” he concludes.