Even as Raaz Reboot, featuring Emraan Hashmi, Kriti Kharbanda and Gaurav Arora, opens in cinemas this Friday , the Bhatts - who have produced all the four movies of the Raaz franchise - are set to take a curtain call on their most successful offering. Mahesh Bhatt says, “This series, which has nourished and sustained us for 14 years, has finally come to its glorious end. Raaz Reboot is by far the finest human take that has been woven into the horror genre by Vikram Bhatt.“

Vikram, who helmed the first, third and fourth instalment, says each film has offered something new to the viewers. He elaborates, “We have always had stories of human angst and relationships. Raaz (2002) was not about just being married, but what it means to be married. Raaz 3 (2012) was about someone who doesn't give up fame and refuses to fade away. In Raaz Reboot, you will see how secrets can be the enemy of love. Usually, you don't find this kind of world view in horror movies. Raaz, as a series, has a lot to offer to viewers in terms of story, emotion, music and something that they can take back home.“

Mahesh stresses that it has given them memorable moments for life. He recalls, “When Paul McCartney called up Bipasha Basu and told her that she reminded him of Sophia Loren, she thought someone was pulling a prank on her. Going to the studio at midnight to check out the result of the cockroach scene, which was brilliantly created by an Indian VFX team in Raaz 3, was an exciting moment for us.“

Elaborating how the series has not only benefitted them monetarily but also earned them credibility as a banner, producer Mukesh Bhatt says, “We were going through a rough patch but this franchise turned the tide for us. It became a trendsetter and a blockbuster. Each film in the series gave me extra muscle and power as a filmmaker. It's been a fulfilling journey.“

Given that Emraan also has been associated with the franchise from its start, as an assistant director on the first film and starring in the next three movies, how is he taking this decision? Mahesh says, “Raaz 3 was Emraan's biggest hit. It's time for us to say thank you and bid goodbye to the Raaz franchise as we move on into a new uncertainty after this.“