Saif Ali Khan and Arjun Kapoor starrer- Bhoot Police director Pavan Kriplani believes horror movies have an appeal that goes beyond boundaries and languages. The filmmaker, who has also worked on Radhika Apte’s Phobia and Jimmy Sheirgill-starrer horror film Darr @ the Mall, said some of the best work is being done in the genre.
“I believe it is a genre that crosses beyond boundaries and language. Horror is a universal genre. It is something that has come to the forefront in recent years. But horror movies have been made forever. We had a strong appetite for it, we had Ram Gopal Varma movies, ‘Mahal’ and ‘Woh Kaun Thi’ etc. What happened in between is that the genre got associated with B-movies, which have no story and things are just there to scare you. Now, filmmakers are making it with depth and it is more than just a horror film,” Pavan told the news agency in an interview.
Kriplani said that he has always been fascinated with horror movies and some Hollywood films like Ghostbusters and Shaun of the Dead, are some of his all-time favorites.
Bhoot Police is a story of two brothers — Saif played Vibhooti and Arjun essayed Chiraunji, who goes on a mission to catch ghosts, seems like Pavan’s nod to Ghostbusters.
The film was initially set to feature Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Saif but with time, the cast and producers changed. “I had written this after my first film ‘Ragini MMS’. Saif and I have been wanting to make this film. The other two actors were committed to other projects and hence things didn’t materialise. I am privileged to have Arjun Kapoor. He has added so much to the film. Even the actresses have complimented well. I am happy that I finally made it with the perfect cast and producers.”
The core story has always been about ideological conflict between two brothers, the director said, adding, the horror-comedy also throws light on the debate about the existence of ghosts and the afterlife.
“We as a society and people are torn about the entire idea of ‘is there something after death? Is there an afterlife? Are there ghosts or spirits? Is there more to life? So, it was exciting to explore it in a film and wrap it up in a horror-comedy-adventure movie about two brothers in conflict while they are in this business of being professional ‘Tantrik’s.”
The film, also starring Yami Gautam, Jacqueline Fernandez, Javed Jaffrey, Rajpal Yadav and is bankrolled by Ramesh Taurani and Akshai Puri. Bhoot Police was released on Disney+Hotstar on Friday.
Also Read: Bhoot Police now to stream a week ago on Disney+Hotstar from Sept 10
