
Vikram Bhatt is upbeat about his next horror film and his new real-life role 8212; of a first-time author
Horror movies are his forte, claims director Vikram Bhatt, whose period supernatural film 1920 hits the screens tomorrow. 8220;1920 isn8217;t just a horror film. It8217;s a classic that has a fantasy mix of the horse cart, the castle and a great story,8221; he says. His last hit was six years ago 8212; Raaz, a supernatural thriller 8212; and he has his fingers crossed about the new venture.
Having written a number of regular columns in the past, Bhatt has always had a passion for the pen. But, while the rest of the film industry began blogging with gusto, he took to the pen. 8220;I would love to have the book launch on my birthday in January, though I8217;m not sure if that would be possible,8221; he smiles.
For now, it8217;s 1920 on his mind. The film has been shot at Allerton castle in England, one of the 10 most haunted castles in the world. 8220;Funnily, I didn8217;t know that it was haunted until we started shooting. But I fell in love with the place, it was exactly how I had imagined it to be,8221; he says.
While 1920 stars newbies Rajneesh Duggal and Ada Sharman, Bhatt adds that Aditya Narayan, son of singer Udit Narayan, will debut in his next film Shapit8212; which goes on floors next year. 8220;I don8217;t have a fixation with newcomers,8221; he clarifies quickly. 8220;The industry has only seven or eight selling actors who obviously can8217;t be cast in every movie. I8217;m always looking for new talent and there is potential in these new actors.8221;
Interestingly, Bhatt does not believe in auditioning any of the newcomers.
1920 has turned out to be an extremely expensive film, says the director. 8220;I haven8217;t done my accounts as yet but there8217;s certainly a lot of money involved and the costs are steadily climbing,8221; he says. 8220;But then, good cinema doesn8217;t come cheap.8221;