1920 sequel to be shot at Harry Potter's school!

A college in Oxford where Harry Potter films were shot becomes the next location for Vikram Bhatt's upcoming 1920 installment

Remember Hogwarts, the famous school for witches and wizards from JK Rowling's Harry Potter series? Hogwarts is all set to receive its new visitor...well, almost! The college in Oxford that got a makeover to look like the prestigious school for young magicians has become a shoot location for Vikram Bhatt's upcoming horror installment.

According to our sources, parts of the third installment of the 1920 franchise will be shot at Christ Church College in the British town. In fact, the filmmakers had apparently zeroed in on the location even before finalising the casting of the film.

Bhatt had been to the location while filming his earlier 1920 film. He says, When I was scouting for locations in England, I fell in love with the place. I wanted to shoot there but since it was not suitable for that script, I decided I would come back some other time. Later, I discussed the location with my director Tinu Suresh Desai and he approved them. The unit will also shoot in Durham Theatre in London.

The location will add to the vintage feel of the film. Bhatt says, We will shoot exactly where the Harry Potter films were shot. The film is set in London in 1920. With suitable costumes, we will try to recreate that era as well.

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Vikram Bhatt throws a spooky party for 1920 Evil Returns team

Director-producer and screenwriter Vikram Bhatt, with a huge line of horror blockbusters, right from Raaz, 1920 to Haunted and the recent Raaz 3, has established himself the face of Indian horror Cinema. The director recently threw a Halloween party for the cast and crew of his latest releasing film 1920 Evil Returns.

Vikram Bhatt wanted to throw a bash for the team of 1920 Evil Returns along with their friends and family and thought Halloween would be the ideal occasion since he has always been associated with the horror-thriller genre.

The entire party was customized with the look of the film keeping in sync with the theme of the hit franchise. The party took place in a well known Lounge in suburbs.

This time Vikram Bhatt dons the cap of a Producer and Writer for the film which is directed by Bhushan Patel. The film also marks the comeback presence of Aftab Shivdasani after a long time gap.

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I am not getting back with my ex-wife: Vikram Bhatt

The filmmaker talks about riding the roller coaster and making his way back to the Bhatt camp with

A hit, a flop, a rumoured reunion and dissolution Vikram Bhatt has had a mixed year so far. But with his upcoming production, the filmmaker seems to be excited. Here he speaks about rumours of him getting back to his wife, his company getting dissolved and his daughter Krishna..

Haunted a hit, Dangerous Ishhq a flop and then Raaz 3 a big hit. How has it been?
Exactly like a roller coaster! The phone rings like mad and then it goes silent and then rings like mad again! After a hit, people want you to repeat the magic and after a flop people don't want to be anywhere around you but I am on the top of my game now!

After seven years away from the Bhatt camp, your comeback film with them Raaz 3 made a lot of moolah...
My intent to go back was to give back what I owed to my guru and my friend. I had left over petty issues and I had to right the wrong. I thank God that the movie is a success because the mere intention of repaying my debt would never be enough.
How much truth is there in the news that you and your business partners at ASA (his banner) are separating?
That's nonsense! I owe my partners as much as I owed Bhattsaab and Mukeshji. They came to a man who was down and out before 1920 and put their faith in him. 

They helped me fulfill my ambitions of 3D and backed me on every step. I am committed to make this company the biggest in the times to come.

Are you getting back with your ex-wife, Aditi?
Simply put, no I am not getting back. It was the imagination of an enthusiastic journalist. Aditi and I are the best of friends now and share a beautiful relationship. We have our separate lives and we value them. There comes a time when relationships are not defined by marriage or divorce, they become a comfort zone.

What are you directing next?
Shhhh! It's a secret I can't tell.

A hint?
(Smiles) Okay here goes.... It will have an actress I have done four films with. Go figure!
Will your daughter Krishna work behind the camera or in front?
Krishna has started working with me in earnest. She reminds me of myself when I started all those years back. She is sharp and intuitive which will make for a very good director. I think there is a struggle raging inside her. As for whether she wants to be an actor or a director, I will let her decide.

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Zombie movies not scary enough for Vikram Bhatt

His forte is horror and supernatural thrillers and Vikram Bhatt says he will not make Zombie films because they don't excite him.

Known for horror films "Raaz", "1920", "Haunted" among others, he said: "I will not make Zombie films. They don't excite me. I don't like vampires and I personally feel it's not scary enough for me."

He is currently working on supernatural thriller "1920: Evil Returns" and clarified that he has not shot it in 3D.

"Each and every film can't be made in 3D. I made 'Dangerous Ishhq', 'Raaz 3' in 3D, but Indian audience wants things flying on them in 3D. Post the release, they (viewers) were heard saying that nothing was flying on them. Different films will have different experience. This film is not in 3D."

"I am the only filmmaker who has actually shot my films in 3D. Many other filmmakers have converted it from 2D to 3D," he added.

"1920: Evil Returns" is a sequel to 2008 movie "1920".

"It's a franchise that we are taking forward. It's an altogether a fresh story. It's not similar to the first one. People have not seen a film on possession, so I thought I should make a film on that," the 43-year-old said.

Directed by Bhushan Patel and produced by Bhatt, "1920: Evil Returns" features Aftab Shivdasani and Tia Bajpai and it is slated for a Nov 2 release.

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Vikram Bhatt pens verses to feature in 1920 - Evil Returns

In his upcoming film by Vikram Bhatt, Aftab Shivdasani will be seen mouthing poetry as he plays a poet. Incidentally, these lines have been actually written by none other than Bhatt himself

A source said, Not many people are aware that Vikram writes amazing poetry based on his own experiences. In fact sometime back, he was also toying with the idea of publishing a book based on his poems and he has still not ruled that out.

These poems were written in English and have been translated in Hindi by dialogue writer Sanjay Masoom. Bhatt tells us, The poems take inspiration from my life and my experiences. They are my thoughts that find their way into the film.

Excerpts from Bhatt's writings...

...I stretch my hand
And then I wait
In the glow of her being
I find my soul mate!

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Vikram Bhatt signs a three film deal with Bhushan Kumar

One more business deal was inked in the industry last week, with Vikram Bhatt and Bhushan Kumar joining hands for a three-film deal.

An elated Bhushan says, We have been involved with Vikram since the past couple of years in making music. We met up before Raaz 3 and decided to take our professional relationship forward.

Vikram, who is slated to direct one film, says, Bhushan and I are discussing on various ideas about what I will direct next.

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