Anees Bazmee on Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2: I cannot imagine the film on OTT platform

With the pandemic pushing release dates of films, Anees Bazmee says the sequel to Bhool Bhulaiyaa will stay theatre bound

The much-speculated third wave of COVID-19 is here, forcing Bollywood to defer their date with theatres. Just when things were getting back on track, the sudden spike in cases and low footfall to the cinemas have compelled filmmakers to push the release dates of big films including RRR, Jersey, and Valimai. While some may choose to go the digital way, director Anees Bazmee is ready to wait it out.

Bazmee’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, which is in post-production to integrate BGM and VFX effects, was wrapped up last November and has been set to release on March 25. Ready to release the film alongside other biggies, the director says, “[The situation] cannot be helped. All I can do is announce my release date so that others know to avoid the [same date]. A clash is imminent, and films could get affected, but that is fine. As a filmmaker, what I can do is make a good movie.”

Anees Bazmee

While several streaming giants have approached him for a direct-to-digital release, Bazmee along with his producers Bhushan Kumar and Murad Khetani are on the same page about distribution plans for the Kartik Aaryan-starrer. “Though [there are] amazing platforms with good content, I cannot imagine Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 on an OTT platform,” he says, and explains why the film deserves to be viewed on the 70mm screen. “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 is a well-written horror and comedy film. Kartik, Kiara [Advani], and Tabu have delivered great performances. We have retained the songs—Aami je tomar and  Teri aankhen bhool bhulaiyaa.”

Aware that audiences will strike a comparison between the sequel and Priyadarshan’s first instalment, but Bazmee is unperturbed. “Priyadarshan’s movie was beautiful and loved by many. [So], the pressure to make a better one is there. The screenplay is like mathematics to me. I write scenes anticipating audience reaction. My average for superhit movies is high,” he says of the supernatural thriller film, adding, “If we make another psychological thriller, there will be too many comparisons with the first edition. We have upped the ante in horror. There is no buffoonery, we’ve opted [to fill it with] situational comedy instead. And Kartik is extremely natural and comfortable at comedy.”

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