Back in 2022, when Anees Bazmee helmed the horror comedy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, little did he know that he would be taking the franchise ahead instantly after its release. The film’s success led to Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which releases this Friday. The filmmaker says that the movie is packed with an exciting storyline, Kartik Aaryan’s exuberant performance and ghostly acts by two Manjulikas, played by Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit.

Talking about the film, Anees tells us, “Bhushan Kumar (producer) was very confident even before part 2 was released and he told me that we should begin working on part 3. Kartik Aaryan, too, was looking forward to the sequel. I was excited with the idea, but I wanted to crack the perfect plot for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. I am not the kind who simply jumps onto the bandwagon…ek film achchi bani toh chalo dusri banate hai to capitalize on the film’s title. I am a writer first and then a director, so that one line story is very important for me. In the final story, I could see scope for a lot of drama, emotions and comedy and I could visualize shooting it on a larger-than-life scale.”

Ask Anees if he feels the pressure of taking a successful franchise ahead and he says, “When I made Welcome, I had that pressure because I had a successful film like No Entry behind me. Then when I made Singh Is Kinng, I had the pressure of Welcome behind me. Toh yeh silsila toh chalte rehta hai because people expect something from you. Forget people, even I have expectations from myself. Mujhe ek darr rehta hai ke maine itni saari achchi filmein banayi hai, kya yeh film bhi achchi bana paunga? However, once the film rolls and after the first day on set, I forget about the pressure."

Anees, who has been working in this industry for four decades, doesn’t believe in resting on his past laurels. He explains, “I have always believed that there’s no shortcut to anything. I have always believed in learning new things. In showbiz, I have worked in all kinds of departments, be it camera, sound, editing or the art department, yet, I feel like a newcomer, and feel the need to grasp more. New entrants in the industry get inspired by me and I get inspired by them. Maine hameesha mere tareeke ko ahmiyat di hai. If you feel ki iss tareeke se I can convey my message in a film better, then I stick to that. Every filmmaker has their own style. I don’t believe in following a pattern, I believe in working in that moment.”

Talking about staying relevant, the director says that he would like to direct a web show at some point. “Not because it’s a trend now, but because I want to explore this new format of storytelling. I am waiting for an idea jo main larger-than-life style mein shoot kar saku. If OTT hadn’t been there I couldn’t have sailed through the pandemic. Watching movies is my hobby. I want to experiment with everything related to filmmaking. So, my web show will be my kind of cinema. There will be grandeur, entertainment, and it will be packed with stars.”

With Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Anees is getting the original Manjulika, Vidya Balan, back into the franchise. Any plans to get Akshay Kumar back to it too? “Maybe in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 4 (laughs).”

Talking about his urge to work with Akshay, Anees adds, “He is my friend. Maine mere zindagi ki sabse behtareen filmein Akshay ke saath banayi hai (Welcome, Singh Is Kinng). We have a great tuning. Meri icchaa hai ki main unke saath phir se kaam karu, and I think the feeling is mutual.”

Addressing the box office clash with another successful franchise, Singham, Anees says, “I am sure both the production houses might have tried their best to avert the clash. But then, due to circumstances, I believe that it wasn’t possible. Agar dono films chali toh Diwali mein double maza aayega.”