Although it's been 15 years since the release of Vikram Bhatt's original "Haunted 3D" (India's first stereoscopic 3D film), it seems the interest in the sequel hasn't waned. "Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past" has surprised everyone by opening with the strongest numbers of all the Hindi-language releases of this week.
Sacnilk box office reports show that the film has grossed nearly the same figure as the original on Day 1, collecting Rs 2.50 crore (the original earned Rs 2.67 crore). The film opened amidst a legal dispute that has significantly restricted its release across major national multiplex chains. National chains reportedly contributed only about 25% of the movie’s Day 1 revenue. However, the film made up for this lack through impressive footfalls in smaller single-screen and the B and C centers.
Made on an estimated budget of Rs 15 crore, the sequel has done better than higher-budgeted and relatively more high-profile parallel releases like Imtiaz Ali's Diljith Dosanjh-starrer "Main Vaapas Aaunga" (Rs 1.15 crore) and Kangana Ranaut's "Bharat Bhagya Vidhata" (Rs 1 crore).
Mimoh Chakraborty, who played the lead in the 2011 film, returns as the lead protagonist. Chetna Pande plays the main female lead while Shruti Prakash, Gaurav Bajpai, and Praneet Bhatt play other characters in the supernatural mystery.
Helmed jointly by veteran horror filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and co-director Manish P. Chavan, "Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past" has a script by Vikram Bhatt. Mahesh Bhatt presents the movie, which is bankrolled by Anand Pandit Motion Pictures in association with Screamer.
