If reports are anything to go by, actor Ranbir Kapoor will soon be seen playing a vampire in an upcoming film. Buzz is that actor Bipasha Basu too will bare her fangs as a vampire in the 3D Raaz 3. Actor Abhay Deol meanwhile is set to star in a zombie flick, and actor-filmmaker Saif Ali Khan is producing one starring Kunal Khemu. Actor Manisha Koirala will be seen making a comeback with the Bhoot sequel. Even the recent flick that marked actor Karisma Kapoor’s return to the big screen bordered on the supernatural as it explored past life regression.
While supernatural is an often-tapped subject in Bollywood, it’s of late that an increasing number of B-Town A-listers are showing a keen interest in the topic. Trade experts agree and point out that what’s interesting is that vampires and zombies are becoming the flavour. Attributing the surge to the wide acceptance of vampire movies in the West especially the Twilight series, experts say that the fact that they have been well-received here too are an encouraging factor for filmmakers to tap the creature-based films.
“While spirit hauntings and demonic possession have been explored, in Bollywood we still associate zombies and vampires to Saamri and films like that. So it’s certainly exciting to seeA-listers show a keen interest in these topics. Vampires especially are the flavour in the West too more so recently. Big names getting into the genre, are bound to change the way these films are perceived.
It will also bring a certain respectability to the genre that for a long time was associated with B-grade films until the Bhatts and Ram Gopal Varma changed that,” explains trade analyst Komal Nahta. For actor Kunal Khemu, it was the excitement of doing something different that was the draw. “I have enjoyed watching zombie films, they are supernatural, yet lend a fun light-hearted flavour to horror which is an interesting combo,” says Kunal.
Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt too feels that such topics always interest the human psyche. “So it’s fun exploring endless possibilities on screen,” says Vikram, explaining his fascination for the supernatural. Industry insiders feel that with more big names getting into the fray, it is bound to take horror here to the next level. “The technology is better, budgets bigger, the interest higher, all a sign of good tidings for horror here,” they say. As for vampires becoming a hot favourite, trade analyst Bharti Pradhan adds that they themselves are a strong draw. “They have a certain charm and as ultimate seduction tools, their pull will be undeniably high if actors like Ranbir and Bipasha were to play them for sure. It’s about time Bollywood gets its own Edward Cullen,” she says. So bare your fangs, Bollywood!
