Bipasha: 'I've finished schooling with Raaz'

Bharati Dubey

"If you believe in good, you would believe in evil. For good and evil are two sides of the same coin. Watch Raaz and you will believe that," said producer Mahesh Bhatt at a special preview of Raaz at Mumbai's Leela Hotel, January 7.

"Vikram Bhatt's emotional impulse took shape in the form of Raaz," Bhatt said, adding, "This film is a complete original. We won't need to say that it is adapted or based on a foreign film."

Director Vikram Bhatt, however, was absent from the proceedings. He was away in Muscat at a shooting schedule for his in-the-making Akshay Kumar starrer Awaara Pagal Deewana. With Vikram away, Mahesh Bhatt took centre stage.

Ashutosh Rana, who stars in the film as a tantric mystic, was fulsome in his praise for his director: "Raaz would not have been possible without Vikram's single-minded efforts. He has come into his own with Raaz. He is one director to watch out for."

Rana then admitted to believing strongly in spirits. He also said he had occult experiences in real life.

For Bipasha Basu and Dino Morea, two relative newcomers, the film has been a learning experience. Bipasha, who debuted in Ajnabee, said "I was a toddler when I signed on for Raaz. Today, I can say I've finished schooling." The actress won admiration from Mahesh Bhatt for her acting.

Raaz is slated for release February 1 and the Bhatts and Tips, co-presenters of the film, are confident that BO verdict will be to their favour. "Its music has done roaring business -- that is always a good sign," said Kumar Taurani of Tips.

Mahesh Bhatt attributed the success of the film's soundtrack to music director Nadeem. "Whenever I'm at my lowest, I turn to Nadeem and he saves us. He is our saviour."