Nawazuddin Siddiqui has come a long way. Having started in 1999 with Sarfarosh, he's found a niche for himself only in the last couple of years or so. And now, after delivering critically acclaimed performances in Peepli Live (2010), Kahaani and Gangs of Wasseypur, he's finally set for the coveted top job - that of a solo lead actor.

In an upcoming horror film called Aatma, Nawaz is set to star opposite Bipasha Basu. Apparently, the filmmakers found him to be the best fit for the character in what's being touted as a big-budget movie. Confirming the news, producer Kumar Mangat says, "Nawazuddin did an amazing job in Kahaani. Even in Gangs of Wasseypur 2, he is playing an important character. That's when we decided to sign him for this film."

To be directed by Suparn Varma (he directed Acid Factory in 2009 and Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena in 2005), almost the entire story of Aatma is set in a high-rise apartment. The set has been specially built on the 21st floor of an apartment
in Andheri.

The producers are unwilling to divulge details about Nawaz's character at this stage, and all Mangat tells us is that he "is playing a very interesting character".

The film, which will go on the floors on July 18, has a crew comprising several international technicians. "We will shoot non-stop for 50 days in Mumbai and Panchgani. The cameraman, who's from Denmark, will be shooting the film using a different technique," adds Mangat. Of course, sound-effects play an important part in a horror films, for which they have hired technicians from Germany.

Is it going to be another 3D film? "No, we're shooting the entire film in 2D," Mangat reveals.