Despite arriving without the backing of major stars or an extensive promotional campaign, Vikram Bhatt‘s latest horror outing, ‘Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past’, has managed to attract audiences to theatres. The film opened with a respectable collection and has steadily added to its tally worldwide. However, alongside its box-office performance, the film has also found itself at the centre of a debate over its use of artificial intelligence and visual effects.Social media has been flooded with criticism targeting the film’s AI-generated imagery, with several viewers claiming that certain visuals and effects appeared artificial and distracted from the narrative. Vikram Bhatt, however, remains unfazed by the backlash and believes much of the criticism is misplaced.
Vikram Bhatt questions the AI criticism
Responding to the reactions surrounding the film’s visuals, Vikram pointed out that many viewers have incorrectly identified real locations in the film as AI-generated content. “The funny thing is that a lot of people have taken real locations in the film as AI,” the director shared with News18.The filmmaker suggested that the conversation around AI has become so dominant that audiences are now quick to label anything visually unusual as artificial, regardless of whether it actually is.Vikram Bhatt says story matters more than technologyVikram also made it clear that he has no issue admitting to the use of AI if it helps him realise a creative vision within financial constraints. According to him, audiences should ultimately focus on the story rather than the technology used to create the world on screen.“Fine, let’s just say we used AI. Are you coming to see a film and enjoy the story or do you think this is Nat Geo and you’re coming to see real locations? I couldn’t have made a big film on the budget I had, so I used AI. The people who’re going to see the film are liking it.”The director argued that independent filmmakers often have to rely on innovative tools to bring ambitious concepts to life, especially when budgets are limited.Addressing those who specifically criticised the film’s supernatural elements, Vikram responded with humour, saying horror cinema has always depended on visual tricks and effects to create its creatures.“So what if my film has AI? Either you want to see the film or you don’t. Some people said yeh bhoot toh AI hai. Arrey, main kahaan se real bhoot laau? Bhoot toh AI, special effects, CGI ya prosthetics se hi bana hoga na. I can’t get a real ghost and ask it to turn up for the shoot at nine in the morning. (Oh come on, where am I supposed to bring a real ghost from? A ghost has to be created using AI, special effects, CGI, or prosthetics, right? )”(So what if my film uses AI? Either you want to watch the film or you don’t. Some people said, ‘That ghost is AI-generated.’ Well, where am I supposed to find a real ghost? A ghost can only be created using AI, special effects, CGI or prosthetics, right? I can’t bring an actual ghost and ask it to show up on set at nine o’clock in the morning for a shoot. )
Vikram Bhatt on comparing AI to traditional film sets
The filmmaker also questioned why audiences appear more willing to accept artificial sets than computer-generated environments. According to him, both techniques serve the same purpose: creating a believable cinematic world. “Historically, we’ve had films shot on a set. And most of the times, I can make out it’s a set and so can the audience. Why don’t you then say that yeh toh set hai, real bungalow nahi hai?”Drawing an example from Ramesh Sippy’s classic ‘Shaan’, Vikram pointed out that moviegoers have long embraced imaginative worlds without demanding realism.“When you see Shakaal’s den [in ‘Shaan’], you know it’s not real. His den is underground and there are fishes swimming around. Why did you then not say that it’s not real? Sets chalta hai par AI nahi chal sakta. What’s the difference between the two? It’s the same. We’ve a strange perception in the audiences of how a film should be made.”
Why Hollywood gets a free pass
Vikram further argued that global films often escape the scrutiny faced by Indian productions when it comes to computer-generated imagery. He cited iconic franchises that built entire worlds using visual effects.“Why did ‘Star Wars’ become a hit? It was shot in space. You can’t say that arrey, yeh space toh nakli hai, aisa koi planet nahi hai. ‘Haunted 3D’ is about the world of Maniktala. I had to create a separate world and that’s why I used AI. It’s supposed to be dreamy, eerie and strange.”(Why did ‘Star Wars’ become such a hit? It was set in space. You can’t turn around and say, ‘This space is fake, no such planet exists.’ ‘Haunted 3D’ is set in the world of Maniktala. I had to create an entirely different universe for the film, and that’s why I used AI. The world was meant to feel dreamlike, unsettling and mysterious. )According to the director, the unique visual design of the film was always intended to create an unsettling atmosphere rather than replicate reality.
Creating a world beyond reality
Elaborating on his creative choices, Vikram explained that the fictional village featured in ‘Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past’ was designed to feel detached from time and reality. He believes that atmosphere is central to horror storytelling and often requires the use of advanced visual tools.“The village shown in ‘Haunted 3D’ stuck in time. That’s a feeling one wants to generate. A lot of American films do that. They create a world and you know that this is CGI. ‘Avatar’ is CGI. In no way, it means that the story is good or bad.”For Vikram, the debate should ultimately revolve around whether the narrative succeeds in engaging audiences, rather than the methods used to construct its visual universe. As discussions around AI continue to divide viewers, the filmmaker appears convinced that technology is merely another tool in a storyteller’s arsenal.
