Vikram Bhatt Says He Is Scared of Making Films Today as Anand Pandit Calls 1920: Cold Winter Original

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has offered a candid assessment of the changing realities of Hindi cinema, saying that having a big star attached to a film no longer guarantees a successful opening weekend. Speaking at the Mumbai launch of 1920: Cold Winter on October 19, Bhatt said his concern today is whether audiences will connect with the content itself.

Producer Anand Pandit, meanwhile, defended the upcoming horror film’s originality, saying it should not be perceived as an imitation of another work. The comments put the spotlight on two connected questions facing filmmakers: how much star power can still influence theatrical business, and how important original storytelling has become in attracting audiences.

Vikram Bhatt on why filmmaking feels riskier

At the event, Bhatt explained that filmmakers once had the comfort of relying on a recognisable star to help a film get through its opening weekend. He said that assumption no longer holds when viewers can reject a film despite its casting.

The director also pointed to the potential upside when a film finds its audience. Citing Hanuman Ansh as an example of a title whose business grew from a modest beginning, Bhatt argued that the commercial ceiling can be much higher when audiences respond positively.

His concern, as reported by Bollywood Hungama, is less about the presence or absence of stars and more about whether the film has enough substance to bring people into theatres. It reflects a shift in how filmmakers assess risk: casting may attract initial attention, but it cannot by itself guarantee sustained audience interest.

Anand Pandit insists 1920: Cold Winter is an original story

Producer Anand Pandit agreed with Bhatt’s emphasis on content and said Hindi cinema had spent a long period leaning heavily on stories inspired by existing material. He argued that the industry’s recent successes have encouraged filmmakers to attempt more original concepts.

Pandit specifically described 1920: Cold Winter as a completely original film. That is the producer’s claim about the project, rather than an independently established assessment of its screenplay or influences. The film’s originality will ultimately be judged by audiences and critics once they can see the finished work.

The film brings Pandit back together with Bhatt, who is writing and directing the latest instalment in the 1920 horror franchise. The project is being produced by Anand Pandit Motion Pictures, with Roopa Pandit and Rahul V. Dubey serving as co-producers.

What to know about 1920: Cold Winter?

The horror thriller stars Ahan Shetty and Anya Singh. Larissa Bonesi is also associated with the project, while Himesh Reshammiya has been reported to be reuniting with Bhatt for the music after their earlier collaboration.

The film is listed for a 2027 release, although a specific theatrical date has not been announced in the sources consulted. Earlier coverage also reported that the production was expected to be shot in Mussoorie.

The new film extends a franchise that began with 1920 in 2008. Bhatt wrote and directed that first film, while the series subsequently expanded through additional instalments, including 1920: The Evil Returns and 1920: Horrors of the Heart.

The Celebrity Hour Take

Bhatt’s remarks point to a distinction that matters in a crowded theatrical market: star recognition can help a film gain visibility, but it cannot substitute for a story that audiences want to experience. His comments are an industry perspective, not proof that star-led films no longer succeed; rather, they underline the uncertainty involved in predicting a film’s performance before release.

For 1920: Cold Winter, the challenge is to offer a fresh horror experience while carrying the name of an established franchise. Pandit’s assurance about originality sets an expectation the finished film will need to meet. The next meaningful test will be the film’s promotional material and, eventually, how viewers respond to the story itself.

Sources & Verification

This report draws on published coverage of the October 19 launch and earlier reporting on the film’s production, cast and franchise background. Bhatt’s comments and Pandit’s statement about originality are attributed to the event coverage; the film’s originality is not presented as an independently verified fact.