Box Office: 1920 - The Evil Returns collects Rs 12.27 crore in opening weekend

Apart from Vikram Bhatt's horror film, none of last week's releases managed to create an impression 

This week too, it was a clear case of - too many cooks spoil the broth! While as many as six Hindi films released last weekend, except for 1920 - The Evil returns, none of them managed to make any impact at the box office. 

Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana managed to collect 4.5 crore (Friday - 1.3, Saturday - 1.5 and Sunday - 1.7) in its first weekend. The rest of the films - Sons of Ram, Ata Pata Lapaata, Le Gaya Saddam and Future To Bright Hai Ji - all failed miserably at the box office. 
The positive part of last weekend was that in spite of the pre-Diwali period, Vikram Bhatt's 1920 - The Evil returns managed to collect around 12.27 (Friday - 4.5, Saturday - 3.87 and Sunday - 4.34) crore in its opening weekend. The collections are quite noteworthy given that the film had no stars to boast of along with a new director and the film released in the pre-Diwali period. 

Apart from these last weeks' releases, Chakravyuh managed to collect 14. 5 crore in its first week and second weekend while Ajab Gazabb Love managed to rake in only 7.2 crore and Rush was only 3.2 crore in its initial 10 days. Meanwhile Student of the year is now posted pretty at 65 crore till Sunday night 

Trade analyst Amod Mehra says, All the films have been very disappointing, except 1920 which is a surprise hit in spite of a dull period. The film has got a bumper opening.` On the other hand, Atul Mohan, trade guru adds, I think only brand Vikram Bhatt worked and nothing else. Another film worth mentioning is Skyfall. Strangely, Luv Shuv Tey Chiken Khurana did not result in any numbers.

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1920 Evil Returns took a toll on me: Tia Bajpai

Playing a possessed girl in '1920 Evil Returns' had such an effect on actress Tia Bajpai that she took her onscreen persona home even after the day's shoot was over

The 24-year-old actress found it tough to switch back to real life after filming was over and her family members freaked out. 'After a gruelling shoot on the sets where I was playing this tormented girl, it wasn't easy to get into a switch on and switch off mode. Hats off to those who can do that, I can't for sure.

'The film took such a toll on me that I carried the spirit with me to the dinner table as well. There were animalistic traits in me and I started speaking in a heavy bass voice at home as well,  Tia told.

Her family wasn't amused and after a while and when Tia's behaviour started freaking them out, they had a stern word with her that it was about time she drew a line between real and reel life.

After a while they didn't find it funny at all. My mom used to worry about what was wrong with me. When my brother said something, I started giving those weird looks to him, just like my character would in the film,  said Tia, who had gone through a similar routine during her debut film 'Haunted' as well.

It became a little too much for them after a while and they started wondering if I had indeed gone mad. Today when we remember that time period, we find it funny but trust me, back then it was weird, she said.

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Movie Review: 1920 Evil Returns is scary

Cast: Aftab Shivdasani, Tia Bajpai, Vidya Malwade, Sagar Saikia

Directed by: Bhushan Patel

Ratings: * * *

After Raaz, 1920, Haunted, Shaapit and Raaz 3D, Vikram Bhatt this time writes and produces another Horror film 1920 Evil Returns. One cannot really call this one a sequel to 1920, But 1920 Evil Returns can be an re-awakening of 1920. The film is being directed by Bhushan Patel who was earlier an associate director with Vikram Bhatt.

1920 Evil Returns also brings back the Vikram Bhatt-Aftab Shivdasani's 'Kasoor' combination after a long time. 

The film is a Horror which revolves around Jaidev Verma (Aftab Shivdasani), a poet who lives the life of a loner as he is always in search of his Love. He only has a sister Karuna (Vidya Malwade) who always supports him. One day he meets Smruti (Tia Bajpai) near a lake under mysterious circumstances of being possessed.
Jaidev brings her home and takes care of her against the wishes of his sister, who doesn't want Smruti to stay as she senses something wrong with her. During the course of time, Jaidev finds out that Smruti has lost her memory and does not remember anything from her past life except for his poems.

Jaidev decides to take Smruti to Shimla to get her treated in a big hospital. On their way, while resting in a guest house, strange haunting sounds start to emanate. Smruti gets possessed by a spirit (Sagar Saikia).
The film has lots of spooky moments that gives you Jolt and Shocks. The scary atmosphere is very well conceived. Especially the scene where Jaidev is taking rest in the guest house along with Smruti where she gets possessed is outstanding. Plus the background score of the film is just amazing and equally goes step-by-step with every fear building scene in the film. 

Performance wise, Tia Bajpai rocks. Actually at one point of time, You start feeling without Tia Bajpai, This film wouldn't had been possible. It's really good to see Aftab Shivdasani back on the screen after a long time. Aftab is brilliant and his performance somewhere reminds you of his character that he played in 'Kasoor'. Vidya Malwade and Sagar Saikia are equally good.
The camera work by Naren Gedia is simply superb which helps the director Bhushan Patel's vision in creating the eerie atmosphere. This film doesn't looks like a First Timer Director's film. Bhushan Patel is the director to watch out for. Musically, Chirantan Bhatt does a good job.

The film is again a Horror Masterpiece from the house of Vikram Bhatt and his team which surely scares the hell out of you along with some amazing shock values. If you really want to get scared, Go for this one.

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Check out mix of all genres this Friday

The first Friday of November offers a melange of movies ranging from drama to comedy, horror to musical, for the audience. 

"Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana", "1920: Evil Returns", "Future To Bright Hai Ji", "Ata Pata Laapata", "Sons of Ram", "Main Krishna Hoon" and "Le Gaya Saddam" - all hit the screens Friday.

All are bound by a common string - a small budget, but the ones which have had a good buzz around them are Kunal Kapoor-starrer "Luv Shuv..." and Vikram Bhatt's "1920: Evil Returns".

Co-produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Siddharth Roy Kapur and Anurag Kashyap, "Luv Shuv..." celebrates the lovable quirks of a Punjabi joint family. It revolves around a secret recipe for a famous chicken curry 'Chicken Khurana', which forms the plot's crux. 

Also featuring actors Huma Qureshi and Rajesh Sharma, the film is Sameer Sharma's directorial debut. 

If "Luv Shuv..." promises to take the audience on a laughter ride, there is "1920: Evil Returns", which could give goosebumps. 

Directed by Bhushan Patel, the story of the supernatural thriller revolves around Jaidev Verma, played by Aftab Shivdasani. He portrays a famous poet who lives the life of a loner as he is unable to meet the love of his life. He stays with his sister Karuna (Vidya Malvade), who is his support system until he meets Smruti (Tia Bajpai). 

The next option on the big screen is "Ata Pata Laapata", a musical satire attempts to expose the selfish attitude of people in power. The film is the directorial debut of actor Rajpal Yadav and features him alongside Asrani, Ashutosh Rana, Vijay Raaz, Vikram Gokhale and late actor Dara Singh. 
"Future To Bright Hai Ji" encapsulates the misfortunes of a lower-middle class family with big aspirations. It features actors Aamir Bashir, Sonal Sehgal, Satish Kaushik, Asrani and Neelima Azim.

Among the eclectic mix is "Le Gaya Saddam", based on the Muslim divorce system.

Directed and produced by Amjad Khan, the movie has actor Raghubir Yadav playing the lead role of a loving and caring grandfather named Saddam.

There's also something for kids this week - "Main Krishna Hoon", featuring actress Juhi Chawla, is the story of an orphan boy, Krishna, who is unhappy being alone in an orphanage. Juhi plays the owner of the orphanage. The film also has Katrina Kaif, Hrithik Roshan and Rajneesh Duggal in cameos. 

The week offers some animation too - 3D animated film "Sons of Ram", is a contemporary tale of brotherhood, courage and adventure, set in the backdrop of the epic Ramayana. The film narrates Luv and Kush's journey through enchanted forests into the revered land of Ayodhya.

The film is directed and written by Kushal Ruia. Popular singer Sunidhi Chauhan has lent her voice for the character of Sita. The film will release in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. 

So pick your genre, and your movie!

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A cold nightmare for Tia Bajpai

While shooting for '1920 - Evil Returns' in Sweden, Tia Bajpai had a tough time acclimatising with the weather

While most actors have a rollicking time on their shoots abroad, for Tia Bajpai it had turned out to be a nightmare. For her upcoming film co-starring Aftab Shivdasani, the actress was required to stand in the middle of a chilled river in Sweden for a certain sequence. The cold bit her hard and she was left in utter discomfort.

Our source says, It was for a scene where Aftab traces back a missing Tia in the middle of a river. Along with the rest of the crew, Tia had to stand in chilled waters for a long time. She was shivering but did not complain about the cold.

Another source from the film's team says, It took us an entire day to finish that scene. By the end of the day, Tia had turned blue. We immediately took her out and had her wrapped in a blanket. The next day, the entire unit teased her by calling her Baby Blue.

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1920: Evil Returns not connected to 1920

Film-maker Vikram Bhatt, who is back with another horror flick "1920: Evil Returns", says it has nothing to do with his 2008 movie "1920".

"We have seen that when we make sequels, the story should be different, actors should be different. Nothing should be similar except the name. Since we make such films here, we have continued with that trend. '1920: Evil Returns' has nothing to do with the first part and it's a totally unique film," the 43-year-old said here Wednesday at a press conference of the film.

"1920: Evil Returns" features Aftab Shivdasani, who recently completed his 13th year in the film industry. His last film was "Bin Bulaye Baraati", which released in 2011 and didn't do well.

Asked if he would call the film his comeback, Aftab said: "I don't know. I mean, I guess I was just waiting for the right opportunity and I got it. So, if it's a comeback, it's a comeback, if it's not a comeback, it's not a comeback. It doesn't matter to me as long as it is a good film."

"1920: Evil Returns" also stars Tia Bajpai and Vidya Malvade and hits theatres Nov 2.

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Tia Bajpai moves out of Vikram Bhatt's camp

The reality show winner and telly actress was launched by the filmmaker in the horror flick Haunted

She later went on to do some more films made by his production house with one opposite Aftab Shivdasani that is yet to release Tia will now be seen in Rahat Kazmi’s upcoming film that features her with Raghuvir Yadav and Saurabh Shukla. The mahurat of the film was held over the weekend.

Says a source, “Though her film with Aftab has been completed months ago, it has yet to see light of day. Vikram was busy with his other project starring Bipasha Basu and Emraan Hashmi. So she did not want to hang around and decided to take on other projects.”

About her reason to move on, Vikram says, “She was never under contract with us.” While Tia explains that she took on another film outside his banner because, “earlier I had no time.”

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