film maker Vikram Bhatt Has spent over three decades building a reputation as one of Bollywood’s finest filmmakers in the thriller and horror space. From films like ‘Fareb’, ‘Ghulam’, ‘Kasur’, ‘Raaz’, ‘Awara Pagal Deewana’, ‘1920’ and ‘Haunted 3D’, Bhatt has repeatedly returned to stories that explore fear, mystery and the supernatural. With the latest installment in the franchise, ‘Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past’, performing well at the box office, the director is once again celebrating a successful run.Looking back on his journey, Bhatt overcomes personal setbacks with Firstpost, the enduring appeal of horror films and why the recent Hollywood blockbuster reminds him of one of his biggest hits.
Why ‘Obsession’ brought back memories of ‘Raaj’
Although Vikram Bhatt admits that he hasn’t seen Hollywood horror sensation ‘Obsession’ in its entirety, the story was enough to evoke a sense of familiarity.“I haven’t seen Obsession but someone is telling me the story and I sit back and laugh and think it’s ‘Raj’. It’s basically Malini of ‘Raj’ in the whole film.” The filmmaker believes the genre thrives because audiences are drawn to compelling horror stories regardless of geography or language. “My idea is that if you make a good horror film, people will come. This was really good.”
Vikram Bhatt’s success after a tough phase
The strong theatrical response to ‘Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past’ comes after what Bhatt described as a challenging period in his personal life. Asked if the film’s success has been particularly rewarding, the filmmaker responded with his trademark humour.“Your question makes it sound like the story ends well. I’ve had a lot of bad luck. And this is a reward God has given me for all my pain and all my trials and tribulations.” He added, “I think he still wants people to suffer. So he says, ‘Let’s not get rid of him so quickly’.”Before the film’s release, several industry observers were skeptical of its potential. According to Bhatt, many underestimated the film due to the absence of big stars, online trolling and legal complications.However, he remains confident because he believes he has built up horror audiences over the years. “So I have trust with my audience. I have a relationship with my audience. I know my audience.”Bhatt acknowledged that many trade experts saw the project as a risky proposition. “It was obvious that they would think ‘Haunted’ would be the last choice. Because, you know, I didn’t have a star. It was horrible and it was already trolled. And then there was an NCLT case.”Despite the challenges, he never doubted that the film would find its audience. “I believed that the film might not appeal to the critics. It would appeal to my audience.”
Why horror doesn’t rely on superstars
Having directed numerous horror films, Bhatt believes the genre works differently from mainstream commercial cinema. In his view, audiences come to feel fear rather than watch larger-than-life heroes.“When you have big actors, you can’t possibly scare them and run around.” The director explained that established stars often carry a screen image that can dilute the reality needed for horror. “If you have an A plus hero, who already has a bigger personality like Allu Arjun or Ram Charan, it won’t work.”For Vikram Bhatt, the central attraction of a horror film is not the cast but the experience itself. “People come to feel a sense of dread. They don’t come for an actor.”Today, with ‘Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past’ adding yet another success to his filmography, Vikram Bhatt remains one of the few filmmakers in Hindi cinema whose association with the horror genre continues to resonate with audiences across generations.
