Bhoot based on real incident: Bhanu Pratap Singh

Bhanu Pratap Singh, who has served as assistant director on Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, is all set for his directorial debut titled Bhoot Part One: The Haunted Ship for Dharma Productions.

“It is based on a real incident from June 2011. A ship had landed at Juhu Beach and the ship was stationed there for almost 21 days without any crew. I think the ship was travelling to Alang, the biggest ship harbour at Gujarat in Bhavnagar, but then the ship came and got stationed in Juhu Beach with no one in it,” says Bhanu about the Vicky Kaushal starrer.

When asked about the process of researching for the film, the director reveals, “All my research is based on the news media. When this incident was shown, we never paid any heed to it, but while I was travelling to Bandra via Juhu beach and happened to look at the ship, I was forced to get down.”

The title Bhoot is of note because it is the same as filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma’s 2003 film. In fact, Karan Johar even had to acquire the rights to the name from the Satya filmmaker. While comparisons would otherwise be expected, Bhanu says he isn’t looking to compete.

“I am no competition with him, I look upon him as my senior. I only wish he watches and appreciates the film. I am happy that just a phone call from Karan Johar and he agreed to give away his title Bhoot,” the director concludes.