Vikram Bhatt on filmmaking's future: 'I won't see that extreme time'
Synopsis
Vikram Bhatt's take on cinema's future is refreshingly unguarded — he simply says he won't be around to see its most extreme form, whether that means chipless reels or neural-interface viewing. It's a rare moment of generational honesty from a director who has spent decades shaping Bollywood horror, and is now gearing up for both Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past and the next 1920 instalment.
Key Takeaways
Vikram Bhatt said he does not expect to witness cinema's most extreme technological transformations, citing his age as a factor.
His latest film, Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past , released theatrically on 12 June 2026 and is a spiritual sequel to the 2011 film Haunted – 3D .
The film stars Mimoh Chakraborty , Chetna Pande , and others, and is produced by Anand Pandit , Javed Khan King , and Shwetambari Bhatt .
Bhatt described fear as 'the basis of all other emotions,' underpinning his long commitment to horror storytelling.
His next directorial project is 1920: Cold Winter , produced by Anand Pandit , Roopa Pandit , and Rahul V.
Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has offered a candid, self-aware take on the rapidly shifting landscape of cinema, admitting that while the medium is headed toward extraordinary transformation, he is content not to witness its most radical phase. His remarks came during a conversation ahead of the theatrical release of his latest film.
What Vikram Bhatt Said
Asked about how filmmaking is evolving alongside changing audience preferences, Bhatt was characteristically direct. 'Fortunately, my age is such that I don't have to spend many years here. So, I am not that worried. Because, until that time comes when there won't be any reels, they will directly do this and see what it is. So, that time will also come when they will close their eyes, put a chip in their ears, and watch the film. So, I won't see that time. So, I am not thinking so far ahead,' he said.
The remarks reflect a broader industry reckoning with immersive technologies — from augmented reality to neural interfaces — that are beginning to move from science fiction into serious creative discussion. Bhatt's position is notable for its candour: rather than projecting optimism or alarm, he simply acknowledges generational limits on his vantage point.
Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past
Bhatt made these comments while promoting Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past, which released theatrically on 12 June 2026. Written and directed by him, the supernatural horror film is a spiritual sequel to his 2011 hit Haunted – 3D. The cast includes Mimoh Chakraborty, Chetna Pande, Gaurav Bajpai, Hemant Pandey, Shruti Prakash, and Praneet Bhat. The film is produced by Anand Pandit, Javed Khan King, and Shwetambari Bhatt, with Mahesh Bhatt serving as presenter.
Why Fear Drives His Storytelling
Bhatt also elaborated on his enduring pull toward horror as a genre, offering a philosophical framework that goes beyond jump scares. 'I really feel I have a connection with fear. I think fear is the basis of all other emotions in the world. If you look carefully, fear of losing someone is possessiveness. Fear of not having enough is greed. Fear of being lonely is relationships. Fear of being left behind is competitiveness. The world is guided by fear. But most of us don't understand it as fear. We understand it as possessiveness and greed and so on and so forth. If you look very closely, a lot of the populace lives in fear,' he said.
This philosophy has underpinned nearly three decades of horror filmmaking for Bhatt, making him one of the most consistent practitioners of the genre in mainstream Hindi cinema.
What's Next for Vikram Bhatt
Beyond the current release, Bhatt is set to direct 1920: Cold Winter, the next instalment in his long-running 1920 franchise. The film will be jointly produced by Anand Pandit, Roopa Pandit, and Rahul V. Dubey. No release date has been announced yet. With two projects anchoring his near-term slate, Bhatt appears firmly focused on the present rather than the speculative future of cinema he described.
Point of View
His candour cuts through the noise. The deeper question his remarks raise is whether mid-career and younger Indian filmmakers are genuinely preparing for disruption — or also deferring it. His horror-as-philosophy framing, meanwhile, is a reminder that the most durable genre storytellers are not just craftsmen but ideologues with a coherent worldview, which may explain why the 1920 franchise has outlasted many shinier Bollywood properties.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Vikram Bhatt say about the future of filmmaking?
Vikram Bhatt said he is not worried about the most extreme future changes in cinema because he does not expect to live long enough to see them. He described a future where audiences might 'close their eyes, put a chip in their ears, and watch the film,' but said he would not witness that era.
What is Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past?
Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past is a supernatural horror film written and directed by Vikram Bhatt, released theatrically on 12 June 2026. It is a spiritual sequel to his 2011 film Haunted – 3D and stars Mimoh Chakraborty, Chetna Pande, Gaurav Bajpai, and others.
Who produced Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past?
The film was produced by Anand Pandit, Javed Khan King, and Shwetambari Bhatt, with Mahesh Bhatt serving as presenter.
What is Vikram Bhatt's next film after Haunted 3D?
Vikram Bhatt is set to direct 1920: Cold Winter, the next instalment in his 1920 franchise. It will be jointly produced by Anand Pandit, Roopa Pandit, and Rahul V. Dubey, though no release date has been announced.
Why does Vikram Bhatt gravitate toward horror films?
Bhatt has said he feels a personal connection with fear, which he describes as the root of all major human emotions — from greed and possessiveness to loneliness and competitiveness. This philosophical view of fear as a universal driver shapes his approach to horror storytelling.
