Despite arriving without the backing of big stars or a massive promotional campaign, Vikram BhattIts latest horror outing, ‘Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past’, managed to draw audiences to the theatres. The film opened with a respectable collection and has steadily added to its tally worldwide. However, in addition to its box-office performance, the film also found itself at the center of controversy over the use of artificial intelligence and visual effects.Social media has been inundated with criticism aimed at the film’s AI-generated imagery, with several viewers claiming that some scenes and effects are artificial and distract from the narrative. Vikram Bhatt, however, remains unfazed by the backlash and believes much of the criticism is misplaced.
Vikram Bhatt questions AI criticism
In response to the backlash surrounding the film’s visuals, Vikram noted that many viewers mistakenly identified the film’s original locations as AI-generated content. “The interesting thing is that many people have taken the original location in the film as AI,” the director shared with News18.The filmmaker suggested that the conversation around AI has become so dominant that audiences now want to label anything visually unusual as artificial, regardless of whether it actually is.Vikram Bhatt says, story is more important than technologyVikram also made it clear that he has no problem admitting to using AI if it helps him realize a creative vision within financial constraints. According to him, the audience should ultimately focus on the story rather than the technology used to create the world on screen.“Well, let’s just say we used AI. Are you coming to see a film and enjoy the story or do you think it’s Nat Geo and you’re coming to see real locations? I couldn’t make a big film with my budget, so I used AI. People who are going to see the film are loving it.The director argued that independent filmmakers often have to rely on innovative tools to bring ambitious ideas to life, especially when budgets are limited.Addressing those who specifically criticized the film’s supernatural elements, Vikram responded with humor, saying horror cinema has always relied on visual techniques and effects to create its creatures.“So what if I have AI in my film? Either you want to watch the film or not. Some people said Ye Bhoot to AI hai. Hey, main kahan se aasal Bhoot lau? Bhoot to AI, special effects, CGI ya prosthetics se hi bana hoga na. I can’t get a real ghost, to shoot at nine o’clock in the morning (to get up at nine o’clock in the morning) AI, special effects, A ghost must be created using CGI, or prosthetics, right?(So ​​what if I use AI in my film? You either want to see the film or you don’t. Some people said, ‘That ghost is AI-generated.’ Well, where do I get real ghosts? Ghosts can only be created using AI, special effects, CGI or prosthetics, right? I can’t bring it in and ask it to be set up for a ghost show at nine in the morning. Shoot)
Vikram Bhatt on comparing AI with traditional film sets
The filmmaker also questions why audiences are more willing to accept artificial sets than computer-generated environments. According to him, both techniques serve the same purpose: to create a believable cinematic world. “Historically, we’ve shot films on a set. And most of the time, I can make it a set and so can the audience. So why don’t you say yeh toh set hai, aasal bungalow na hai?”Drawing an example from Ramesh Sippy’s classic ‘Shaan’, Vikram points out that moviegoers have long embraced fantasy worlds without demanding realism.“When you see the jackal’s lair [in ‘Shaan’]You know it’s not real. His lair is underground and fish swim there. So why didn’t you say that it is not real? Set chalta hai par ai nahi chala sakta. What is the difference between the two? It’s the same. Our audience has a peculiar idea of ​​how a film should be made.”
Why does Hollywood get a free pass?
Vikram also argued that global films often face scrutiny for computer-generated imagery by Indian productions. He cited iconic franchises that created entire worlds using visual effects.“Why did ‘Star Wars’ become a hit? It was shot in space. You can’t say that array, ye space to fake hai, aisa koi planet nahi hai. ‘Haunted 3D’ is about the world of Manikata. I had to create a different world and that’s why I used AI. It can be dreamlike.”(Why was ‘Star Wars’ such a hit? It was set in space. You can’t turn around and say, ‘This space is fake, no such planet exists.’ ‘Haunted 3D’ is set in the world of Manikata. I had to create a completely different universe for the film, and that’s why I used AI. The world was for my dreamlike and eerie feeling).According to the director, the film’s unique visual design was always intended to create an unsettling atmosphere without replicating reality.
Creating a world outside of reality
Elaborating on his creative choices, Vikram explained that the fictional village featured in ‘Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past’ was designed to feel detached from time and reality. He believes that atmosphere is central to horror storytelling and often requires the use of advanced visual tools.“The village shown in ‘Haunted 3D’ is stuck in time. It’s a feeling that one wants to create. A lot of American films do that. They create a world and you know it’s CGI. ‘Avatar’ is CGI. Either way, that means the story is good or bad.”For Vikram, the debate should ultimately revolve around whether the narrative succeeds in engaging the audience, rather than the method used to construct his visual universe. As discussions around AI continue to divide audiences, filmmakers are convinced that technology is just another tool in a storyteller’s arsenal.
