That’s the premise of Vikram Bhatt’s next, which is inspired by a newspaper article in the UK
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 28, 2019)

Vikram Bhatt has just returned from UK having completed his film, Ghost, which is inspired by a newspaper article about how a British court allowed a matter involving spirits to be tried. “The article caught my eye because it threw up an interesting question: How does one prove the presence of spirits in a court of law? I know it’s hard for most people to believe in the supernatural world, but I know from first-hand experience that the realm exists and for me it is a reality,” says the filmmaker who spearheaded the Raaz franchise, besides making a string of horror films - 1920 and 1921, Shaapit, Haunted 3D and Creature 3D.

Quiz him on what makes Ghost different from other ghost stories given the current emphasis on novel content, and Vikram smiles, “The concept itself is novel. Karan Khanna, a politician of Indian origin in the UK, is accused of killing his wife. He tells his lawyer that a spirit committed the murder and should be tried. Where have you seen that before?”

He adds that while most of his earlier films were set in desolate places, Ghost unveils in the heart of London, amidst apartment houses and offices. “I doubt they’re haunted and if they are, no one is talking about it. Also, unlike the lyrical love stories of the past, this one takes the characters with their weaknesses and makes them meet the ghost outside while emotional ghosts plague their hearts and minds,” says the filmmaker.

The film will introduce a new pair, TV actress Sanaya Irani as defence lawyer Simran Singh, and Shivam Bhargav as Karan Khanna. “Sanaya has an emotional quotient that works well in a complex role while Shivam’s shyness adds a layer to the victimised Karan,” explains Vikram who having dabbled in the genre many times in the past, admits it’s tough to reinvent oneself. “But it’s possible if you listen to your audience. They are vocal about what they want to see and what they don’t. To believe that you are relevant when you are not, is a dangerous thing.”

Point out that while Hollywood horror films like IT, The Nun and Annabelle did good business in India, barring the Raaz series, the genre hasn’t been widely accepted here and Vikram quips, “1920 is a successful franchise.” But is there a future for horror in Indian cinema? He reasons that the world today is one big market, and unlike family dramas, period films or even romcoms, horror is a genre with an universal appeal. “Horror films are big on the digital platform too and have as much return on investment as their theatrical counterparts,” explains Vikram who turned 50 on Sunday.

So, what takes him back to horror, again and again? “Fear… I live with fear and understand fear in a way that many don’t,” he concludes.