Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma recently graced the Red Lorry Film Festival in Mumbai for a special screening of his iconic horror film, Bhoot, which premiered in 2002. As he reflected on the making of the movie, featuring stars Ajay Devgn and Urmila Matondkar, he shared captivating anecdotes that highlight the film’s enduring influence even after 20 years. One particularly eerie detail he mentioned was that the apartment in Mumbai where the film was shot remains uninhabited to this day.
Discussing the filming process, Varma explained that he specifically opted for an apartment setting instead of a bungalow, believing it would resonate more with viewers, given that many city dwellers live in apartments. Remarkably, the entire film was completed in just 30 days, primarily filmed within that single location.
Varma noted that the apartment has remained vacant ever since the shoot, as potential tenants are too frightened to move in. He remarked, “I wrapped up filming in just 30 days, most of which took place in one apartment. Interestingly, it’s been over two decades since we shot Bhoot, and that flat is still empty. It gained quite a reputation post-release, and no one dares to live there. It’s situated in the Lokhandwala Complex, although I can’t recall the building’s name.”
He also elaborated on casting Urmila Matondkar, crediting one particular expression from her performance in Rangeela as a decisive factor. “I chose Urmila because of a specific expression she delivered in another film of mine. The moment in the ‘Hai Rama’ song from Rangeela, where she’s wearing a red dress and gazing intensely at Jackie Shroff, really stood out to me. That close-up convinced me she was perfect for the role in Bhoot,” Varma revealed.
About Bhoot
This supernatural horror film is revered as one of Bollywood’s masterpieces for its atmospheric tension and lack of conventional song-and-dance numbers. The plot centers around a married couple, Vishal and Swati, who move into a high-rise apartment in Mumbai, only for Swati to become possessed by the spirit of a former tenant who tragically took her own life. Alongside Ajay Devgn and Urmila Matondkar, the film features notable performances by Nana Patekar, Rekha, and Fardeen Khan.