Vikram Bhatt on F1, geopolitics and fear: 'That geek is in all of us'
Synopsis
Vikram Bhatt doesn’t follow the IPL — he tracks F1 laps and reads geopolitical op-eds. In a candid moment during 'Haunted 3D' promotions, the horror filmmaker laid out the intellectual curiosity behind his genre obsession, including a memorable line: 'You are what you Google.'
Key Takeaways
Vikram Bhatt described himself as an F1 freak and science and technology enthusiast during promotions for 'Haunted 3D' in Mumbai .
He said he does not follow the IPL and finds geopolitics and global economic thought more absorbing.
Bhatt linked his affinity for horror to a belief that fear is a universal human emotion people prefer to conceal. 'Haunted 3D' stars Mimoh Chakraborty , Chetna Pande , Shruti Prakash , Gaurav Bajpai , Praneet Bhatt , and Hemant Pandey , and is currently in cinemas.
Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, currently in the midst of promotions for his latest release 'Haunted 3D', has opened up about the eclectic mix of passions that fuel him off-screen — from Formula 1 racing and science to geopolitics and global economic thought.
The F1 Obsession and the Geek Within
Speaking during the promotional run for 'Haunted 3D' in Mumbai, Bhatt described himself as a dedicated follower of the Formula 1 season. “I’m a science and technology buff. So, most of my time goes into that. But I follow the F1 series very well. I’m an F1 freak,” he said. The filmmaker was candid about his disinterest in mainstream Indian sports, adding, “I can’t get into the IPL. I don’t know most of the players.”
His intellectual appetite, he explained, leans toward the analytical. “Geopolitics interests me, Op-eds interest me. Opinions of world economic professors of geopolitical speakers that impresses me, absorbs me. So, yeah, that’s the kind of the geek I am,” Bhatt said.
Fear as a Creative Compass
Bhatt, known for his long association with the horror genre, also reflected on how fear shapes his creative instincts. He argued that fear is a universal, deeply personal emotion that most people keep hidden. “So it doesn’t come to me as a surprise that I’m close to fear. I think it’s in all of us,” he said.
Drawing a striking analogy, he added: “We are all our Google histories. If you have the guts to lay down your Google search history openly, it won’t be the person you are. You are what you Google. So that person is in us, in all of us. And I like to explore that person.” The observation speaks to why Bhatt has repeatedly returned to horror as a genre — it is, in his view, the most honest mirror of the human psyche.
About Haunted 3D
'Haunted 3D' features Mimoh Chakraborty, Chetna Pande, Shruti Prakash, Gaurav Bajpai, Praneet Bhatt, and Hemant Pandey. The film promises an upgraded 3D experience leveraging the latest technology to heighten its horror sequences, aiming for a more immersive theatrical experience. The film is currently running in cinemas across India.
The Bigger Picture
Bhatt’s remarks offer a rare glimpse into the intellectual life of a filmmaker who has built a career on tapping into audience anxieties. His blend of hard science enthusiasm, global political curiosity, and a clinical interest in human fear suggests a creative process far removed from conventional Bollywood promotional talk. As 'Haunted 3D' competes for eyeballs in cinemas, Bhatt’s candid self-portrait may itself become part of the film’s conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Vikram Bhatt say about Formula 1?
Vikram Bhatt said he religiously follows the F1 season and called himself an 'F1 freak.' He made the remarks during promotions for his film 'Haunted 3D' in Mumbai, adding that he does not follow the IPL or most other sports.
What is 'Haunted 3D' about and who is in it?
'Haunted 3D' is a horror film directed by Vikram Bhatt, featuring Mimoh Chakraborty, Chetna Pande, Shruti Prakash, Gaurav Bajpai, Praneet Bhatt, and Hemant Pandey. The film uses upgraded 3D technology to create a more immersive horror experience and is currently playing in cinemas.
What did Vikram Bhatt say about fear?
Bhatt said fear is a universal emotion that people keep hidden, comparing it to a person’s private Google search history. He said, 'You are what you Google,' suggesting that exploring hidden fear is central to his creative approach as a filmmaker.
What are Vikram Bhatt's interests beyond filmmaking?
Beyond filmmaking, Bhatt described himself as a science and technology buff who follows Formula 1, reads geopolitical op-eds, and is drawn to the opinions of global economic and geopolitical thinkers. He said these interests define the kind of 'geek' he is.
