Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt recently shared his take on the Hollywood horror sensation ‘Obsession,’ revealing its uncanny resemblance to his 2002 blockbuster ‘Raaz.’ He also offered insights into why the horror genre can succeed without big-name stars, focusing on the audience’s desire for fear itself.
Key Points
Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt found striking similarities between Hollywood's 'Obsession' and his 2002 hit 'Raaz'.
Bhatt believes the horror genre thrives without major stars, as fear is the primary draw for audiences.
He notes A-listers often resist roles where they appear scared, making it less believable for the audience.
'Raaz' followed Aditya and Sanjana's troubled marriage and a haunting spirit, becoming a major 2002 blockbuster.
Vikram Bhatt’s ‘Obsession’ Connection
The Hollywood supernatural horror film Obsession took cinemas in India by storm upon its release and went on to become a sensation. The film emerged as a global success, and filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has now reacted to its popularity, revealing that he found similarities between the film and his 2002 blockbuster Raaz .
The Secret to Horror’s Success
He further explained why the horror genre can work even without major stars, saying, “When you have big actors, you cannot possibly have them getting scared and running around. Either it starts looking like a comedy, where they are comically scared, or it doesn’t feel believable. In a realistic story, if you have an A-list hero who already has a larger-than-life persona, like an Allu Arjun or a Ram Charan, it’s not going to work. There’s a resistance from A-listers. Secondly, as I have observed, people come to experience the sensation of fear. They don’t come for any actor. That’s the nature of the genre.”
‘Raaz’: A Look Back at the Blockbuster
Raaz follows Aditya (Dino Morea) and Sanjana (Bipasha Basu), who travel to Ooty in an attempt to repair their troubled marriage. However, their new home harbours a dark secret — a restless spirit with unfinished business. As the haunting intensifies, Sanjana uncovers a chilling truth: the greatest threat may be the very man she is trying to save. The film was both a critical and commercial success, emerging as the second-highest-grossing Hindi film of 2002.
Bhatt’s observations highlight the unique appeal of horror, where the thrill of fear often overshadows star power. His 2002 hit ‘Raaz’ stands as a testament to this, proving that compelling narratives and genuine scares are the true ingredients for a genre blockbuster.
