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Horror strikes Bollywood
For years, the genre has been associated with B-class B'wood flicks. But of late, the scenario seems to have undergone a change. Minakshi Saini tells more.
Indian film directors are no longer scared of making horror movies. For years, the genre here has been associated with B-class Bollywood flicks. Made mostly under Ramsay banners, these films would be full of neon lighting and fake skeletons. But of late, with the making of films like Vikaram Bhatt’s 1920, Mahesh Bhatt’s Raaz 2, Pritish Nandy Films’ Click and Phoonk 2, the scenario seems to have undergone a change.
Making of the film
Ram Gopal Varma has tried his hand at this genre successfully with Bhoot, considered one of the best horror films made in India. Recently, he made a fresh attempt and tasted success again with Phoonk, his last directorial venture. Based on black magic, RGV said that he created his own magic in Phoonk.
“There’s no reference point while making a horror film. No one has ever seen or met a ghost,” says Varma. “So one can create one’s own story, and make it intriguing. During the making of Phoonk, I told my team of writers to assess their (own) faith and fear. I added my own idea to that. It’s my own magic. I can call it RGV’s magic.” According to RGV, “Phoonk has become a brand now,” and Phoonk 2 will begin where the first film ended.
Spooky returns
Next in line is Mahesh Bhatt, all set to make the sequel of the 2002 hit Raaz, starring Bipasha Basu and Dino Morea. “It’s not a continuation of Raaz,” says Bhatt. “It’s a fresh story, a paranormal tale of a love triangle.”
Bhatt is frank about what goes into the making of a horror film: “A horror film has to be shot and packaged with mystery. In the present times, when we grow up with scientific beliefs, latest technology and gadgets, you have this inexplicable fear that rules our lives. In a horror film, it is this contrast that makes it scary.”
And in order to make viewers shriek, these filmmakers are ready to spend big money. Bhatt has already said that Raaz2 will be the banner’s first big-budget film and most of the cash will go into visual effects. The industry is abuzz that the Bhatts are spending close to Rs 50 crore to make this scary movie. “It will be the best SFX that one has seen in Indian cinema. I’d have the best sets and effects that goes into making a movie,” says Bhatt.
RGV, too, is set to jack up his budget for Phoonk 2. “The effects would be better. If that needs a higher budget, so be it,” he says.
About Click, Pritish Nandy says, “Horror is a very interesting genre. Bollywood has not been able to (effectively) tap this genre so far. With Click, we have tried to capture the deepest of fears in a rather blunt manner.” We look forward to being frightened.
