Chetna Pande: 'Emotionally shattered' during Haunted 3D shoot
Synopsis
Chetna Pande has disclosed that her most painful personal chapter unfolded during the shoot of Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past — and rather than derail her, it became the emotional engine behind her portrayal of Sunheri. It is a rare, candid admission that blurs the line between lived experience and screen performance.
Key Takeaways
Chetna Pande says she was ‘emotionally shattered and mentally disturbed’ during the shoot of Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past .
She channelled her personal pain into her character Sunheri , saying her own journey ‘mirrored’ the role.
The film is directed by Vikram Bhatt and also stars Mimoh Chakraborty .
Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past released in theatres on 12 June 2026 .
Pande credited Bhatt as ‘one of the pioneers of Indian horror cinema’ and cited the original Haunted as a landmark 3D horror film in India.
Actress Chetna Pande has revealed that she was “emotionally shattered and mentally disturbed” during the production of her latest film, Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past, which released in theatres on 12 June 2026. The actress said her most turbulent personal period coincided with the shoot, and she drew on that pain to shape her on-screen character.
How Personal Turmoil Shaped Her Performance
Speaking about her preparation for the role of Sunheri, Pande said, “I feel that life itself prepared me for this role. When I started shooting the film, I was going through a very difficult phase personally. I was emotionally shattered and mentally disturbed. However, I believe everything happens for a reason. Sometimes life puts us through hardships because it is preparing us for something meaningful.”
She added that her own journey closely mirrored that of her character. “The most emotional and challenging period of my life coincided with the shooting of this film. In many ways, my personal journey mirrored Sunheri’s journey. I drew inspiration from my own experiences and channelled my pain into the character. The emotions I was carrying within myself became a part of Sunheri’s story,” she said.
Why She Said Yes to Vikram Bhatt’s Horror Project
On receiving the offer, Pande said the involvement of director Vikram Bhatt was itself a compelling reason to sign on. “I think if Mr. Vikram Bhatt is directing a horror film, that itself is a reason to be excited. I have always believed that he is one of the pioneers of Indian horror cinema. He started a trend that changed the genre in our industry,” she said.
Pande also reflected on the enduring legacy of the original Haunted, calling it “among the first major three-dimensional horror films in India” and noting that “even today, people have not forgotten it.” She observed that in an era of shrinking attention spans, a film’s ability to stay in audiences’ memories for years signals “genuine magic on screen.”
About the Film
Directed by Vikram Bhatt, Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past also stars Mimoh Chakraborty. The film opened in theatres on 12 June 2026, reviving the franchise that Bhatt launched with the original Haunted, which was among India’s earliest mainstream 3D horror releases and left a lasting cultural imprint.
Pande’s candid disclosure adds a rare behind-the-scenes dimension to the film’s release, highlighting how personal adversity can feed into creative performance in ways audiences rarely see.
Point of View
On set, without pause. The fact that an actress navigated what she describes as her most disturbing personal phase while delivering a lead performance speaks to a systemic absence of mental health infrastructure on Indian film sets. Vikram Bhatt’s franchise revival may draw audiences on nostalgia, but the more durable story here is whether the industry will begin treating performer wellbeing as a production responsibility rather than a personal burden.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Chetna Pande reveal about her experience shooting Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past?
Chetna Pande said she was ‘emotionally shattered and mentally disturbed’ during the film’s shoot, describing it as the most challenging period of her life. She channelled that personal pain into her portrayal of Sunheri, saying her real journey closely mirrored the character’s arc.
Who directed Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past?
The film was directed by Vikram Bhatt , whom Pande described as ‘one of the pioneers of Indian horror cinema.’ Bhatt also directed the original Haunted, which was among India’s first major 3D horror films.
When did Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past release in theatres?
The film released in theatres on 12 June 2026 .
Who else stars in Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past?
Apart from Chetna Pande, the film also features Mimoh Chakraborty in a key role.
How did Chetna Pande prepare for the role of Sunheri?
Pande said she did not rely on conventional preparation alone — instead, the personal hardship she was experiencing during the shoot became her primary source material. She drew on her own emotional state to build the character of Sunheri from the inside out.
