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Raaz: Reboot
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| Raaz: Reboot | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Vikram Bhatt |
| Written by | Vikram Bhatt, Girish Dhamija (dialogues) |
| Produced by | Mukesh Bhatt Mahesh Bhatt Vishesh Bhatt Bhushan Kumar Krishan Kumar |
| Starring | Emraan Hashmi Gaurav Arora Kriti Kharbanda |
| Cinematography | Manoj Soni |
| Edited by | Kuldip Mehan |
| Music by |
|
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Annapurna Studios (India) Eros Now through Grand Showbiz Media & Entertainment (Overseas) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 128 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Budget | ₹310 million[2] |
| Box office | est. ₹420.7 million[3] |
Raaz: Reboot (transl. Secret: Reboot) is a 2016 Indian horror thriller film written and directed by Vikram Bhatt. It features Emraan Hashmi, Gaurav Arora and Kriti Kharbanda in the lead roles. The film is the fourth instalment in the horror film series, Raaz.[4][5][6]
Raaz: Reboot was released worldwide on 16 September 2016.[1][7] Principal photography commenced in January 2016 in Romania.[8]
Plot
[edit]On 4 January 2016, Rehaan Khanna and Shaina Khanna returned to Romania a few years after their marriage. They had lived there before they were married. But when Rehaan got an offer as a venture capitalist for the East European Finance Company, Shaina insisted that he take up the job. Rehaan was reluctant, since he had a secret to hide. On the very first day, while unpacking her luggage, Shaina experiences paranormal activities. Rehaan refuses to believe her. A month later, while on a business trip, Rehaan receives a frantic call from Shaina requesting for help. She is found holed up in a telephone booth in a rural area. Apparently, she had gone there to visit a clairvoyant. Thus, the narrative juggles back and forth as to what plagues them and what leads her to the clairvoyant.
The local priest tries to perform an exorcism on Shaina but fails as the spirit knows the priest's past and uses it against him to send him packing. A blind Indian student, Trilok who is studying psychometry in Romania then encounters Aditya Srivastava, rescuing his lover from the evil spirit. Aditya has a strange premonition about all the events taking place in Shaina's life. He offers to help her fight the spirit and free her from all the pain she is enduring. Although Shaina doesn't believe him at first, certain series of events make her believe that the spirit has something to do with her husband Rehaan. She finds out that he is keeping a certain secret which has now become the cause of the haunting. Eventually, Rehaan confesses that he had murdered Aditya and the latter's ghost is seeking revenge. Four years ago, just before Shaina's marriage, Aditya had called Rehaan revealing himself as her ex-boyfriend. Aditya had invited Rehaan to his residence and had blackmailed him for insider trading. Aditya told Rehaan he was willing to drop the charges if Rehaan broke off his engagement to Shaina, so that Aditya could rekindle his relationship with her. Rehaan tried to quietly leave but Aditya showed him photos of his intimate moments with Shaina and began to taunt him. Enraged, Rehaan had struck a blow to Aditya on the head, killing him. As Aditya lay dying, he vowed vengeance. The spirit of Aditya then takes complete possession of Shaina's body. To save Shaina from the evil spirit of Aditya, Trilok recites the Gajendra moksh stotra. By reciting this mantra, Aditya's evil spirit will have to leave Shaina's body, but there's a condition, that the mantra is to be recited without a pause. Though Aditya's spirit stops Trilok and Rehaan from completing the mantra, Rehaan saves Shaina from Aditya. The movie ends with Rehaan and Shaina sitting by the lakeside talking about how there was a lot of ice around their house when they had first arrived but now all of the ice has melted, symbolizing the increased closeness between the couple.
Cast
[edit]- Emraan Hashmi as Aditya Srivastava
- Gaurav Arora as Rehaan (Shaina's Husband)
- Kriti Kharbanda as Shaina Khanna (Nee Iyer) : Rehaan's Wife
- Suzanna Mukherjee as Shreya (Aman's Girlfriend)
- Tara Sharma as a Gipsy Malini
- Hema Malini as Rehaan's mother
- Tom Alter as Mihai (Shaina's Molester)
- Ashwath Bhatt as Trilok
- Vijay Raaz as Aman
- Mink Singh as Nisha Comeo
- Amit Behl as Rehaan's Father
Production
[edit]The film was shot in Romania in freezing temperatures.[9] Apart from Sinaia and other locations the shooting also took place in haunted forest Hoia-Baciu (also known as Hoia Forest), which is known for various mysterious stories and UFO sightings.[10]
Soundtrack
[edit]| Raaz: Reboot | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 19 August 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2016 | |||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
| Length | 27:33 | |||
| Label | T-Series | |||
| Producer | Mukesh Bhatt Mahesh Bhatt Vishesh Bhatt Bhushan Kumar Krishan Kumar | |||
| Jeet Gannguli chronology | ||||
| ||||
The film's music is composed by Jeet Gannguli along with the duo Sangeet-Siddharth. The first single from the film, "Sound Of Raaz" was rel016 by T-Series on YouTube.[11][12][13] The song, sung by Jubin Nautiyal[14] is a tribute to the tradition of haunting melodies in old horror films. The whole album was released on 19 August 2016.[15]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Lo Maan Liya" | Kausar Munir | Jeet Gannguli | Arijit Singh | 5:00 |
| 2. | "Raaz Aankhein Teri" | Rashmi Virag | Jeet Gannguli | Arijit Singh | 4:51 |
| 3. | "O Meri Jaan" | Kausar Munir | Sangeet-Siddharth | K.K. | 4:37 |
| 4. | "Yaad Hai Na" | Kausar Munir | Jeet Gannguli | Arijit Singh | 4:07 |
| 5. | "Hummein Tummein Jo Tha" | Rashmi Virag | Jeet Gannguli | Palak Muchhal & Papon | 2:58 |
| 6. | "Yaad Hai Na" (Sufi Version) | Kausar Munir | Jeet Gannguli | Jubin Nautiyal | 3:43 |
| 7. | "The Sound of Raaz" | Rashmi Virag | Jeet Gannguli | Jubin Nautiyal | 1:37 |
| Total length: | 27:33 | ||||
Reception
[edit]The Times of India gave the film two and a half stars.[16] Asian Age rated the film one star out of five, levying criticism at the complexity of the plot and supernatural themes.[17]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Emraan Hashmi is back to scare the wits out of you with 'Raaz Reboot'". The Times of India. 28 January 2017.
- ^ "Raaz Reboot – Movie – Box Office India". Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ Hungama, Bollywood (17 September 2016). "Box Office: Worldwide Collections and Day wise breakup of Raaz Reboot – Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ "Emraan Hashmi to play the lead in 'Raaz Reboot'". 15 September 2015.
- ^ "Motion poster of Emraan Hashmi starrer Raaz Reboot is out". 11 May 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ "South actress Kriti Kharbanda in 'Raaz 4'". The Times of India. 19 November 2015.
- ^ "Watch: Emraan Hashmi's dark Raaz Reboot motion poster". Deccan Chronicle. 11 May 2016.
- ^ "Emraan Hashmi's 'Raaz 4' goes on floor!". Deccan Chronicle. 17 January 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ "Raaz Reboot: Vikram Bhatt, Emraan Hashmi battling extreme cold in Romania". The Times of India. 27 January 2017.
- ^ "Emraan Hashmi to shoot 'Raaz 4' at 'world's most haunted forest'". mid-day. 29 January 2016.
- ^ "Sound of Raaz – Raaz Reboot – Emraan Hashmi, Kriti Kharbanda, Gaurav Arora". YouTube. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ "'Raaz Reboot' releases its spooky signature tune". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ "QuickE: Rahman's Soulful 'Mohenjo Daro' Number And Other Stories". 6 July 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ "Jubin Nautiyal to record title track of Raaz 4". Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ "Raaz Reboot (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Jeet Gannguli & Sangeet-Siddharth Haldipur on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 20 August 2016.[dead link]
- ^ "Movie Raaz Reboot Movie Review 2016, Story, Trailers". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ "It's a clunker! – The Asian Age". Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
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External links
[edit]- Raaz: Reboot at IMDb
- Raaz: Reboot on Facebook
Raaz: Reboot
View on GrokipediaFranchise context
The Raaz series
The Raaz franchise originated in 2002 with the release of the supernatural horror film Raaz, directed by Vikram Bhatt and produced by Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt under their banner Vishesh Films.[10] The film starred Bipasha Basu and Dino Morea and marked a significant revival in Bollywood's horror genre by blending eerie supernatural elements with romantic drama.[11] This was followed by Raaz: The Mystery Continues in 2009, directed by Mohit Suri, which continued the series' focus on ghostly hauntings and marital tensions.[12] The third installment, Raaz 3: The Third Dimension (2012), returned to Bhatt's direction and introduced 3D technology to heighten the visual scares.[13] Commercially, the franchise achieved notable success, with the original Raaz emerging as a blockbuster by grossing approximately ₹22 crore against a modest budget of ₹5 crore, making it one of the highest earners of 2002.[14] Raaz: The Mystery Continues performed moderately, collecting around ₹35.6 crore worldwide.[15] Raaz 3 proved the most successful, grossing over ₹101 crore globally and becoming the highest-grossing film in the series to date.[16] Thematically, the Raaz films maintain consistency through their exploration of supernatural mysteries, ghostly apparitions, and the interplay of human emotions such as love, jealousy, and betrayal, often centering on troubled couples confronting otherworldly threats.[11] Later entries like Raaz 3 incorporated advanced effects, including 3D, to amplify the horror while retaining romantic undertones that appealed to a broad audience.[13] Vikram Bhatt's involvement as director for the first, third, and subsequent films has been pivotal in shaping the franchise's signature style of psychological horror rooted in Indian cultural motifs.[17] The fourth installment, Raaz: Reboot (2016), was positioned as a revitalized entry, featuring standalone narratives with new characters and no direct plot continuity to prior films, aiming to refresh the series' formula while honoring its horror-romance legacy.[1]Development
In September 2015, producers Mahesh Bhatt, Mukesh Bhatt, and Vishesh Bhatt of Vishesh Films, along with Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar of T-Series, announced Raaz: Reboot as the fourth installment in the Raaz horror franchise, positioning it as a fresh reboot to reinvigorate the series with a new storyline and cast.[18][19] The project was conceived following the commercial success of earlier entries like Raaz (2002) and Raaz 3 (2012), aiming to blend supernatural horror with contemporary elements while avoiding continuity from prior films.[20] The screenplay was penned by director Vikram Bhatt, with additional dialogues by Girish Dhamija, crafting an original narrative centered on a haunted house in Romania where themes of marital betrayal unleash supernatural revenge.[1] This approach emphasized psychological tension and eerie atmospheres over recycled tropes, incorporating advanced visual effects to heighten the horror without referencing characters from previous installments.[21][22] The film was allocated a total budget of ₹31 crore, with a substantial portion dedicated to international production costs and visual effects to support its ambitious supernatural sequences.[23][24] Approximately one-third of the budget, equivalent to around US$1.5 million, was earmarked for the Romanian shoot to capture authentic, chilling locales.[25] Pre-production commenced in late 2015, encompassing script finalization and location scouting in Romania's Transylvania region to ground the horror in real haunted sites like the Hoia-Baciu forest for heightened authenticity.[18][26] This phase set the stage for principal photography to begin around December 2015, focusing on integrating the reboot's modern aesthetic with the franchise's established supernatural intrigue.[25]Synopsis and cast
Plot
Newlyweds Rehaan Khanna and Shaina Khanna relocate to a remote mansion in the forests of Romania after Rehaan accepts a lucrative position as a venture capitalist with an East European finance company.[1][27] The couple, deeply in love but facing subtle strains in their marriage, settle into the isolated estate known locally for its eerie reputation akin to the Bermuda Triangle.[1][28] Soon after arrival, Shaina begins experiencing terrifying paranormal visions, including shadowy figures, blood oozing from walls, and auditory hallucinations, leading to episodes of possession where she exhibits unnatural strength and speaks in unfamiliar voices.[29][30] Rehaan initially attributes these incidents to Shaina's stress from the move and dismisses her fears, but as the possessions intensify, Shaina encounters the spirit of her ex-boyfriend Aditya Shrivastava, who warns her of hidden dangers tied to Rehaan.[29][1] The central conflict emerges through the revelation of Rehaan's dark secret: out of jealousy, he killed Aditya after the latter blackmailed him with compromising photos of Shaina from their past relationship, staging the death as an accident during a confrontation in Romania.[29][28] Aditya's vengeful spirit, manifesting as a strigoi-like entity, targets Shaina through possession to torment Rehaan and exact revenge, forcing the couple to confront their guilt and fractured trust.[27][30] In the climax, Rehaan seeks aid from Trilok Shastri, a blind spiritual student and psychometrist proficient in ancient Vedic mantras, who identifies the possession and performs an exorcism using sacred texts and the power of the couple's mangalsutra to banish the spirit.[29][30] The ritual succeeds as Rehaan confesses his crime to friends and reaffirms his love for Shaina, leading to the spirit's expulsion; the couple survives and reconciles.[28][27] Running 128 minutes, the narrative divides into an initial buildup of atmospheric horror through Shaina's visions, a mid-film mystery revelation exposing Rehaan's guilt, and a final supernatural confrontation emphasizing themes of redemption.[1][31]Cast
The principal cast of Raaz: Reboot features Emraan Hashmi in the lead role of Aditya Srivastava, the vengeful spirit of Shaina's deceased ex-boyfriend who haunts the protagonists with supernatural occurrences.[3] Hashmi, known for his prior involvement in the Raaz franchise since the 2002 original, was selected for his established experience in blending romance with horror elements, marking his third appearance in the series.[32] Kriti Kharbanda portrays Shaina Khanna, the protagonist wife who experiences terrifying visions and paranormal disturbances after moving to a remote Romanian mansion with her husband.[3] This role marked Kharbanda's Bollywood debut, transitioning from her career in South Indian cinema, where she had starred in Kannada and Telugu films, bringing a fresh appeal to the romantic-horror dynamic.[33] Gaurav Arora plays Rehaan Khanna, Shaina's possessive husband harboring a secretive past tied to the film's supernatural conflict.[3] Arora's casting came during the production of his debut film Love Games under the Bhatt banner, positioning this as his first major lead role in a high-profile release and emphasizing the chemistry required for the central couple's tension.[34] In supporting roles, Suzanna Mukherjee appears as Shreya, a close friend of Rehaan who aids in uncovering the mansion's eerie history and the haunting's origins.[3] Ashwath Bhatt portrays Trilok Shastri, a psychometric expert who assists the leads in confronting the malevolent forces through his intuitive abilities.[3] Additional ensemble members include Hargun Grover as Aman, another confidant in the group's investigation, and Tara Sharma as Malini, contributing to the narrative's exploration of the characters' interpersonal dynamics amid the horror.[4] The casting emphasized a mix of established genre actors like Hashmi with newcomers, fostering the film's blend of romantic intrigue and supernatural suspense without relying on extensive auditions for leads, though supporting roles were filled to highlight diverse backgrounds suited to the international filming locations in Romania.[35]| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Emraan Hashmi | Aditya Srivastava | Vengeful ex-boyfriend's spirit driving the hauntings. |
| Kriti Kharbanda | Shaina Khanna | Haunted wife experiencing visions and terror. |
| Gaurav Arora | Rehaan Khanna | Possessive husband with a hidden connection to the supernatural. |
| Suzanna Mukherjee | Shreya | Rehaan's friend aiding in the mystery. |
| Ashwath Bhatt | Trilok Shastri | Psychometric expert combating the evil. |
| Hargun Grover | Aman | Supporting friend in the investigation. |
| Tara Sharma | Malini | Ensemble role enhancing relational tensions. |
Production details
Filming
Principal photography for Raaz: Reboot commenced in January 2016 in Romania, with the production wrapping up by early March of the same year. The approximately 60-day shoot was primarily conducted on location to leverage the country's atmospheric landscapes for the film's horror elements.[36][37] Key filming sites included the towns of Sinaia, Sibiu, and Bucharest, as well as the infamous Hoia Baciu Forest near Cluj-Napoca, renowned for its paranormal legends and used to depict the story's haunted forest sequences. The forested areas and Transylvanian settings provided an eerie backdrop for the mansion and supernatural scenes, enhancing the film's supernatural thriller tone. Lead actor Emraan Hashmi suggested incorporating the Hoia Baciu location to achieve a realistic haunted aesthetic.[25][38] The production faced significant challenges due to Romania's harsh winter conditions, with temperatures plummeting to -20 degrees Celsius, causing equipment and crew discomfort—director Vikram Bhatt noted that hands would freeze within 30 seconds during outdoor shoots. These extreme weather delays impacted the schedule, particularly for exterior sequences in the snow-covered forests and rural areas. Logistical hurdles arose from coordinating an international crew, including equipment transport, though the local Romanian team was commended for their hospitality and efficiency.[25][36][36] Vikram Bhatt emphasized authenticity in capturing tension through practical on-location filming, drawing on Romania's folklore-rich environments to immerse the cast in the narrative's supernatural world. The director's focus on real-time atmospheric shots in the chilling locales contributed to the film's grounded horror style, avoiding over-reliance on studio setups for key eerie moments.[25][39]Technical aspects
The technical aspects of Raaz: Reboot highlight its post-production enhancements, which were crucial for amplifying the film's supernatural horror elements within a modest budget of approximately ₹31 crore. Cinematography was handled by Manoj Soni, whose work focused on capturing the snow-swept Romanian landscapes with subdued visual splendor to create an atmospheric backdrop for the thriller.[3][40] Soni's frames effectively integrated the natural terrain of locations like Sinaia and Sibiu, blending real-world scenery with digital overlays to heighten the sense of isolation and impending dread.[25][41] Visual effects played a pivotal role in realizing the film's ghostly apparitions and possessions, with over 200 shots managed by NY VFXWAALA under supervisor K.V. Sanjit. The studio's contributions included CGI for ethereal spirit manifestations and environmental manipulations, such as distorted shadows and otherworldly distortions, seamlessly merged with on-set footage to maintain a realistic horror aesthetic.[42][43] This digital work accounted for a significant portion of the post-production pipeline, emphasizing cost-effective techniques to evoke paranormal unease without relying on high-end Hollywood-level CGI.[17] Editing was overseen by Kuldip K. Mehan, who paced the narrative to build tension through rapid cuts during jump scares and slower builds for psychological horror sequences. Sound post-production, handled by Creative Sound Design, incorporated immersive audio layers including subtle whispers, echoing creaks, and amplified ambient noises from the forested Romanian settings to enhance the film's auditory terror.[3][44] These elements were mixed to create a layered soundscape that complemented the visual cues, drawing from practical on-set recordings blended with synthesized effects for a cohesive supernatural atmosphere. The horror techniques in Raaz: Reboot combined practical effects, such as fog and atmospheric lighting in forest scenes, with CGI for more complex spectral interactions, allowing for tangible on-screen frights while extending the supernatural scope in post-production. This hybrid approach, influenced by the remote filming locations' natural isolation, prioritized psychological immersion over extravagant spectacle, aligning with the franchise's tradition of accessible Bollywood horror.[25][45]Soundtrack
Composition
The soundtrack of Raaz: Reboot was primarily composed by Jeet Gannguli, who handled six of the seven tracks, with the duo Sangeet-Siddharth contributing the remaining song, "O Meri Jaan."[46] The album was produced by T-Series, the film's music label, with lyrics crafted by Manoj Muntashir, Rashmi Virag, and Kausar Munir.[47] Development of the soundtrack occurred in 2016, coinciding with the film's principal photography that began in January of that year in Romania. The composers aimed to create a cohesive collection of seven songs totaling around 27 minutes, blending romantic ballads with eerie, atmospheric elements to align with the movie's supernatural thriller tone.[8] Stylistically, the music drew from a fusion of Indian melodic structures and Western influences, including acoustic guitar riffs and orchestral swells, to evoke a sense of melancholy and suspense.[46] This approach echoed the Raaz series' tradition of pairing emotional romance with horror motifs, particularly in tracks like the haunting leitmotif "The Sound of Raaz."[47] Recording sessions featured prominent vocalists such as Arijit Singh, who lent his voice to multiple songs including the lead romantic numbers, alongside KK, Palak Muchhal, Jubin Nautiyal, and Papon.[8] The compositions were tailored to integrate seamlessly into the horror narrative, enhancing scenes of supernatural tension through their mournful and immersive quality.[46]Track listing
The soundtrack of Raaz: Reboot consists of seven tracks, released digitally and as a physical CD album by T-Series on 19 August 2016. The album, totaling approximately 26 minutes and 54 seconds, was composed mainly by Jeet Gannguli, with Sangeet-Siddharth contributing to select songs. These tracks are strategically placed in the film to underscore romantic tensions and supernatural undertones, blending melodic elements with the horror-romance genre.[48][49][50]| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Composer(s) | Length | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lo Maan Liya | Arijit Singh | Jeet Gannguli | 5:00 | Romantic plea highlighting the protagonists' emotional bond.[8][50] |
| 2 | Raaz Aankhein Teri | Arijit Singh | Jeet Gannguli | 4:51 | Intimate melody exploring secretive desires in the relationship.[8][50] |
| 3 | O Meri Jaan | K.K. | Sangeet-Siddharth | 4:36 | Yearning love song emphasizing vulnerability and attachment.[8][51] |
| 4 | Yaad Hai Na | Arijit Singh | Jeet Gannguli | 4:07 | Nostalgic track recalling tender moments amid growing mystery.[52][50] |
| 5 | Hummein Tummein Jo Tha | Palak Muchhal, Papon | Jeet Gannguli | 2:58 | Reflective duet on the dissolution of past harmony.[53][54] |
| 6 | Yaad Hai Na (Unplugged) | Jubin Nautiyal | Jeet Gannguli | 3:43 | Acoustic version intensifying the song's haunting reminiscence.[55][50] |
| 7 | The Sound of Raaz | Jubin Nautiyal | Jeet Gannguli | 1:36 | Haunting a cappella piece evoking the film's eerie atmosphere.[56][57][46]</PROBLEMATIC_TEXT> |
