DAILY O (May 3, 2016)

We stood outside the preview theatre, Mahesh Bhatt, Mukesh Bhatt and I, waiting for the Censor Board to see Love Games and the verdict to be announced. We had applied for an adult certificate, the film clearly had adult content and we were well aware of that.

The show was done and we were ushered in. The regional officer muttered something about the film that I did not get but it was meant to be complimentary. It really doesn't matter how many films you have made, when you present yourself to the Censor Board, you get an old feeling of being pulled up in front of the school principal, when you know you have done nothing wrong but there was always the chance that the principal might not be in a great mood.

We were informed that we were getting 18 cuts. When we learned what the cuts were, we stood like reindeers caught in the glare of headlights, frozen. We couldn't use the word "f**k" but we could use "f**king" because "f**k" is a verb and "f**king" is slang that doesn't mean "f**k".

I really missed my Wren and Martin that day! We had used the word "bitch" thrice in the film but we were being allowed to use it only once. Thrice was too much for the Indian audience. It would probably de-sanctify the fabric of society and leave us "uncultured".

We are helpless against the vagaries of a scissor-happy Censor Board.   Suffice to say the list only went south in terms of ridiculousness. It was decided to take the film to the tribunal and it was there that we got the certificate with a minor sound mute. From 18 cuts to almost no cuts. Mukesh called me in Romania, where I was shooting for Raaz 4 to tell me we had a certificate.

I was very pleased but it did make me wonder how there could be so much of difference in the understanding of the tribunal and the examining committee. They were both following the laws set for film certification, then how can those laws be so different?

There was only one way to answer this - subjectivity. The laws were ambiguous to be subjective. It was then, with great enthusiasm, that I welcomed the formation of the Shyam Benegal Committee. Finally things were being done.

Months later, as I read of the committee's suggestions I heard myself say, "Balderdash!" I appreciate and thank the committee for its efforts and I have only the highest respects for Benegal but the point is not the suggestions of the committee, the point is that the subjectivity still remains.

A film certificate can be refused if it contravenes the provisions of section 5B (1) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

The provision is wide ranging. "A film shall not be certified for public exhibition if, in the opinion of the authority competent to grant the certificate, the film or any part of it is against the interests of (the sovereignty and intergrity of India) the security of the state, friendly relations with foriegn states, public order, decency or morality or involes defmation or contempt of court or is likely to incite the commission of any offence," the section reads.

Anyone who reads this provision and knows anything about legality and loopholes can well see that the provision has enough latitude to refuse certificate to almost any film. Give me a film and I will prove to you that it is in direct contravention of the above section. I am a high school dropout and I can see this, there are legal mavericks out there who can throw the book at you if they want.

Morality, decency and what can cause an offence mean different things to different people. Unless this ambiguity goes, we can keep wasting time on committees and little will happen. Till we work on the Cinematograph Act itself, we will be helpless against the vagaries of a scissor-happy Censor Board chairperson who has enough power handed to him by the Act to run the show as if in his own fiefdom and we will have no choice but to be his serfs.

Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 14, 2015)

Several horror films have come and gone but director, Vishal Mahadkar insists that his upcoming film, 3AM, will have a lasting impression on viewers for its originality and creepy quotient. We caught up with him for a quick chat
Shameem Khan (MID-DAY; September 4, 2014)

What is the premise of your film, 3AM?
I wrote the script during a workshop and it was selected as the best story. I thought of auctioning it in Hollywood but then I got busy with my film ‘Blood Money’. Later, I decided to turn the script into a film myself. It’s about a reality show host and his quest to explore what is beyond life. He goes on a ghost-hunting expedition and locks himself in a haunted place from dawn to dusk. His experiences with the paranormal forms the crux of the story.

Why did you select Rannvijay and newcomer Anandita Nayar for the film?
Since Rannvijay was anchoring a show on MTV on similar lines, he was my first choice. I had auditioned Anandita for Blood Money but things didn’t work out then and we opted for Amrita Puri. For 3AM, I wanted a fresh face and hence, brought her on board. She fits the role perfectly and has done a good job. Three composers, Pranay Vijaya, Rajat Manan and the Pakistani band, Raeth, have composed some interesting music for the film.

Would you call yourself a protégée of Vishesh films?
I have spent most of my learning years with the Bhatts but I have my own identity. Like them, even I have a strong ear for good music. Apart from that, my film is different from what they attempt. In fact, (Mahesh) Bhatt saab did not like the script of 3AM. They had roped me to direct Raaz 4, an adaptation of Omen. But things didn’t work out and I decided to start work on 3AM. I have two more projects in the pipeline which are out and out romantic films.

Rachana Dubey (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 2, 2014)

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; March 4, 2014)

It has emerged that Vikram Bhatt, not Vishal Mahadkar, will direct Raaz 4. Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt said the decision was taken considering the fact that the audiences associate him with the Raaz franchise. “Vikram Bhatt will direct Raaz 4. Raaz as a franchise is very dear to him; it’s his baby. It was not fair to take it away from him and give it to someone else though he (Vikram) was content with just writing the script,” he said.

Vikram has earlier directed Raaz and Raaz 3. Only the second instalment was made by Mohit Suri.
The film is expected to go on the floors after Vikram winds up the shoot for Mr X. “It is a purely business decision as Vikram and Raaz are synonymous with each other. The film will be shot in India as well as abroad and feature newcomers. Raaz is a star in itself, and we don’t need a star for the film,” said Bhatt.

Vikram confirmed the news. He said: “It is not just a film but a journey, like milestones in my life with (Mahesh) Bhatt saab and Mukesh ji. There are so many memories of our association. Bhatt saab is my guru, my boss and jo boss bolega woh karne ka!”

The Bhatts had initially decided that Raaz 4 would be a remake of the 1976 classic The Omen, starring Gregory Peck, and would be directed by Vishal Mahadkar while Vikram Bhatt was supposed to work on its script. However, the idea was shelved due to budget issues.

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; January 20, 2014)

It was recently announced by Vishesh Films that Vikram Bhatt will be directing their next film Raaz 4. But the film seems to have run into trouble with news emerging that Ramesh Taurani has rights to the title. When contacted, Mahesh Bhatt said that they have already announced the film and that work on the film will progress as planned. “The Raaz franchise is our prized asset,” he said.

However, producer Ramesh Taurani had a different story to tell. “The first instalment of the franchise was made in 2002 and back then, Mahesh Bhatt and I were co-producers. As a result, we have joint ownership of the title, Raaz 4. So while Vishesh Films are credited with making the second and third part of the Raaz franchise, I will make the fourth instalment. In fact, we will soon be announcing the cast and crew of the film,” he said.

When we mentioned this to Mahesh Bhatt, the producer said that since they announced the film first, the title lies with them. “I don’t care about the registration procedure anymore. Earlier when my daughter Pooja Bhatt had registered the title ‘Thank You’, the Indian Film And Television Producers Council chose to buckle under pressure from the other side, represented by Anees Bazmee. Now they can’t be taking a stand against me on this issue as well. I have no qualms about questioning their standing and authority. If Thank You does not belong to Pooja, Razz 4 does not belong to Ramesh Taurani,” he said matter-of-factly.

With Raaz being one of the most successful franchises under the Vishesh Films’ banner, it will be interesting to see the outcome of this battle.