Vikram Bhatt Reminds Us Why Movie Franchises Are Actually Magic
- How Haunted 3D won big
- The secret power of a brand
- Visuals that stay with you
We just saw Vikram Bhatt talking about the old days. It was 2011. His movie Haunted 3D was coming out. At the same time, Imtiaz Ali had a film hitting theaters. Most people thought the romance would win. They were wrong.
Vikram’s horror flick did better. Why? He says we should be ‘careful of a franchise.’ It is a strong warning. People recognize a name. They trust the brand. It makes them buy a ticket without thinking twice.
The vibe of that movie was so specific. We remember the dark, grainy aesthetic of the shadows. The 3D looked raw. It wasn’t perfect, but it had a spooky texture. That visual style really pulled people into the screen. It felt like a haunted house come to life.
It is like how everyone is buzzing about Dhanush and Mammootty joining forces. The hype is already there. Or how people keep rooting for the South Africa women’s national cricket team. We love a familiar face. We love a team we know.
Even in music, people are still fighting for what they are owed. Just look at the voice of Josie and the Pussycats. A franchise stays alive for years. It has staying power. Vikram knows this better than anyone else in the business.
While big names like Ayushman or Shreyanka Patil trend, the lesson remains. A good brand is hard to beat. But we still need new ideas. There is a lot of buzz for that new anti-war movie too. New things can be scary. But they are also exciting.
Our Take
We think Vikram is right. Franchises are like comfort food. You know the flavor. You know you will like it. But as art lovers, we hope creators keep taking risks. A franchise is great, but a brand-new world is even better. We want more of both!
