Vikram Bhatt talks about his latest film ‘Tumko Meri Kasam’; recalls going to the set of Rekha’s ‘Umrao Jaan’ – Exclusive | Hindi Movie News
Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has stepped out of his horror genre comfort zone with ‘Tumko Meri Kasam‘, a biographical drama inspired by the life of Dr. Ajay Murdia, the founder of Indira IVF. Bhatt was drawn to the story by the powerful love between Dr. Murdia and his late wife, as well as the societal challenges surrounding male infertility. Despite being known as the “king of horror,” Bhatt has expressed reservations about the current trend of horror comedies, preferring to keep fear and laughter distinct in his films. Bhatt also shared fond memories of his father’s work on the classic film ‘Umrao Jaan’, in an exclusive chat with ETimes.
You have made a biopic on Dr, who started the first IVF clinic, a real-life story, What was so special about the story that you decided to direct ‘Tumko Meri Kasam’?
“‘Tumko Meri Kasam’ is loosely based on Dr. Ajay Murdia’s life. Most of Ishwak Singh and Adah Sharma‘s portions have more truth in them. The whole courtroom part is there for dramatic purposes and negative character. Because a negative character will bring out positivity in a man, we all need villains to make a film work. What inspired me to make this film was the tremendous love story that lies between him and his late wife. He was the visionary and she was the spine of steel behind his vision. Together, they nurtured this dream and made it what it was. So, that appealed to me.”
“Secondly, what I found important was the IVF and the social stigma and taboo around infertility in men where they feel that if they’re not fertile they’re not masculine enough. So, they don’t want to come out. Just like mental health. I think it needs to be addressed because it’s your social structuring that is not allowing you to be happy. If you give up that bravado and accept that it’s just a body function that can be corrected, you can be happy with a child. I found that to be an important dialogue that needs to be had. And it inspired me to make the film”, he added.
Horror comedies are the genre in fashion these days. You are considered to be the king of horror. Your comments on the new trend and when do we get to see you back with horror?
“I think horror comedy is a different genre. I remember Mehmood Sahab made a film called Bhoot Bangla in which R.D. Burman was also there. I think horror comedies have been coming on and off for a long time. Horror comedies are selling laughter. It’s a different kind of humour. Whilst horror sells fear. I’m a director who made ‘Raaz’ as well as ‘Awara Pagal Deewana’. But I don’t want to mix the two because I’d like to sell fear and laughter separately. My next film ‘Haunted’, again in 3D, is a love story with terror. I think we start making similar films once a film has become a hit. Once ‘Raaz’ became a hit, there were so many horror films released. I remember, while growing up, comedies were a big no-no. Now it’s only comedy. It’s cyclic. With time, genres come and go. The point here is not to follow the trend but to your heart and make a film. That’s why I make ‘Tumko Meri Kasam’. If there was a horror film I could make, I’d make Exorcist. I think it is the most stunning, scary film I’ve seen. It’s frightening and terrifying.”
You mentioned about ‘Umrao Jaan’, any memories while your dad was shooting the film?
“My father was the DOP on ‘Umrao Jaan’. I remember going to the location outside of Lucknow and watching the gorgeous Rekha Ji and her dances and my father lighting up everything in period. It was fascinating to see all that.”
