Vikram Bhatt’s upcoming directorial venture is Judaa Hoke Bhi. It is a romantic-horror film which reunites the filmmaker with his ‘boss’ Mahesh Bhatt, who is one of the producers of the project. It stars Akshay Oberoi, Aindrita Ray and Meherzan Mazda and will hit screens on July 15. It is also produced by Loneranger Productions, Houseful Motion Pictures and K Sera Sera. The Free Press Journal caught up with Vikram for an exclusive telephonic chat.
Reuniting with Mahesh Bhatt
Opening up about reuniting professionally with Mahesh Bhatt and the film’s title, Vikram shares, “Actually, this is the title of Bhatt saab and my love story. Earlier we were working together but I came here and he got retained in Vishesh films. We have come back together, so after Raaz, he has not written any stories. This is the first time he has penned a story, and thus it is very special to me. Bhatt saab is now associated with my company. It’s a reunion, and we can call it a madhur milan after so long!”
He adds, “Bhatt saab was of the opinion that this time there should be a love story with horror. Judaa Hoke Bhi is more of a love story than a horror. Raaz was a love story and people felt scared but this is not so fearful. It has horror in a love story and not vice versa.”
Inspired by real life?
The Bhatts are known to be inspired by their own life while making films. However, this time that is not the case. “It’s not connected to our real lives. My boss’ favourite film has been Saaransh. I had to go through an operation, and when I went for it, I felt there was a lot of pain. At that moment, you realise about life and death. You will not believe we were making another story titled Cold, but I saw a lot of changes in myself. I revealed this to him about this idea which is like Saaransh. He liked the idea, and it all began from here.”
Judaa Hoke Bhi in a nut shell
When asked about the film’s story, Vikram says, “It is quite a scary story about a man and a woman who are not doing well. How the woman who has no choice but to go ahead and write for someone ghostwriting. That man knows black magic, and she gets entangled in his vicious web. The crux of the love story is how her husband manages to rescue his wife from the clutches of this man. I feel this is the ultimate fear... when you love somebody, but he/she is not within your reach.”
Zero pressure
When asked if he is feeling any pressure as it is a theatrical release, Vikram states, “We have always made films for the big screen. We had turned single screen director, and it was termed a bad word. Today, that term has become a good word. This is a small film. I am not foolish to say we will set the theatre on fire. I have made 1920, Haunted these were not films which can be considered first day first show types. But I am sure people will definitely come with a strong word of mouth.”
India's first virtually shot film
Vikram has used a relatively new technology to shoot the film. “This is India’s first film which has been shot virtually. This means that we have made the entire film with the help of computers. It’s called virtual production with a part of LED. We shoot directly through the engine metaverse film. We were in lockdown, and we had to complete our work. It was then we saw a serial shot virtually. It worked for us, and after watching it, we decided to follow this wonderful technology. I learned this for almost two years and also did a course.”
Vikram's future projects
On a parting note, he talks about his future projects. “Bhatt saab and I have a partnership with K Sera Sera, and we have decided to make five films. Three films are already on the floors. Judaa Hoke Bhi will be released soon. Thereafter, my daughter (Krishna Bhatt) is directing 1920. I will be directing Khilone next which is based on a sex racket. After this, one of my assistants will be directing Hacked 2. Another one I am contemplating is directing a comedy,” Vikram concludes.
