Haunted Records Largest Horror Film Opening Ever
By FNN | May 11, 2011, 5:05am IST
6th May 2011 saw the release of India’s first stereoscopic 3D film, Vikram Bhatt’s ‘Haunted 3D’. The first of a three 3D movie deal signed between BVG Films (BVG), a division of ASA Productions and DAR Motion Pictures (DAR), the filmed entertainment division of DAR Media Private Limited (a DAR Capital Group Company), the movie opened to packed theatres, setting the Box Office rolling.
Released across 1044 screens in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, Haunted 3D grossed over INR 13 crores on its opening weekend.
Speaking about the success of ‘Haunted 3D’, Vikram Bhatt, the whole time director of ASA Productions and the director of Haunted 3D, said: “I am ecstatic and it is heart warming to see people coming in huge numbers and appreciating the movie and all the hard work we have put in to making it. When we started this journey, there was a lot of scepticism about 3D working in India, both from audiences and trade alike, but after this weekend I can confidently say that India is truly 3D ready.â€
Shot with the same next generation 3D filming technology as was first used in Avatar, Haunted 3D was appreciated by audiences for both its international standard 3D as well as its well crafted and engaging screenplay. It is a compelling story, set in the misty mountains of Koti that revolves around Glen Manor, a sprawling mansion with a secret past and a haunting present. The protagonist ‘Rehan’ visits Glen Manor to complete a transaction, involving its sale that his father had initiated and which is now under a cloud due to certain mysterious incidents. What he does not bargain for is that while he is trying to do so he discovers a Secret and falls in love with it. What he does not bargain for is that the Secret catapults him to the biggest challenge and question of his life.
Commenting on the success of the film, Arun Rangachari, Chairman, DAR Capital Group, said: “The best parameter or judge of success of any movie is the sheer audience turnout and their reaction to the film. Haunted 3D has both going for it which is vindicated by our opening weekend collections. Audience research and reactions have clearly shown that they have given 3D a clear thumbs up. Vikram and the entire Haunted 3D team have done outstanding work on this project and together we have created history pioneering 3D technology in mainstream Hindi cinema.â€
The sub-continent’s new wave 3D stereoscopic film Haunted 3D features the latest digital 3D cinematography and projection techniques seen in Avatar (2009), the James Cameron blockbuster that created box office history and popularised the new format worldwide. Furthermore, filmed by the well-known 3DCC’s international team of technicians, including Brent Robinson, Christan Jeams and Cassidey and Micheal Reuben Flax, who have worked on the 3D and horror genre in Hollywood films like Resident Evil – the Afterlife, Saw 7, The Incredible Hulk, etc., the film has been shot with the crew’s custom 3D stereoscopic digital motion picture camera system and rigging. Haunted 3D’s extensive special effects were done at Prasad Studios, Chennai.
In addition, to the film’s technical USPs and achievements many industry stalwarts are also optimistic that, being the first Indian mainstream 3D stereoscopic film, it will usher in a new wave of 3D conversions on the exhibition front in India as well.
While UFO Moviez India Limited (UFO), the world’s largest satellite delivered digital cinema network, contributed immensely through their role as technical and Digital 3D Partners of the movie, Reliance Entertainment was the distribution partner. Other credits include Director of Photography Pravin Bhatt, Writer Amin Hajee, Music Director Chirantan Bhatt, Editor Kuldeep Mehan and Action by Abbas Ali Moghul.
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