The 2002 super hit thriller Raaz, was followed by its sequel Raaz – The Mystery Continues (2009). Raaz 3 is a 3 Dimensional
horror film directed by Vikram Bhatt, and produced by Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt.
Emraan Hashmi plays Aditya, a famed film director who is indebted, for his success, to Shanaya (Bipasha Basu) a reigning
screen star actress who is at the at the height of her success.
Shanaya has a passionate affair with her director Aditya. But at this years film awards, it is the fresh debutant – Sanjana
(Esha Gupta) who bags the best actress award.
Bipasha, the reigning superstar is now losing out to a much younger starlet (Esha Gupta).
As is the reality in Bollywood, every production house decides to drop Shanaya and want the younger actress Sanjana to play
lead roles in their films.
Shanaya realizes her career is fading away and the god fearing woman that she is, now doesn’t believe in God and hence turns
to black magic and with the sole motive in her life – to destroy Sanjana at whatever cost it may be, and even get back the
man she loves, Aditya.
Shanaya feels she has no other way but to resort to Black Magic, and comes across a Ghost (bhatakti aatma – a disgruntled
spirit) in the form of Manish Chaudhary who promises her success, albeit warning her that if the opposite person is powerful
in her Godly beliefs, then it may even lead to Shanaya’s death.
Shanaya seduces her director boyfriend Aditya, and begins to manipulate him. She blackmails Aditya to help her out in her
black deeds (Tantra – Mantra) and feed the regular dose of some liquid which would gradually turn Sanjana insane and may even
end her career.
Sanjana does experience the ghostly happenings, and this is where the things turn scary. On the verge of losing her sanity
and even ending her life, it is Aditya who helps Sanjana fight the evil spirit.
If one draws parallels to the real situation in Bollywood today, Bipasha has been in the industry for over ten years and
could be developing a feeling of losing out. The director of this film has rightly said, “Who better than her to have an apt
understanding of the character’s emotion? We knew she would do complete justice to the character.”
Yes, Bips not only displays sensuousness and earnestly acts out her role, she is very impressive in this horror movie. New
comer Esha Gupta is gorgeous and dazzling in her part, while Emran Hashmi is subdued in his character. Two songs are
melodious, but not as catchy as those in their earlier films.
There is nothing sort of Raaz (Secret) in this film as the fact that Sanjana and Shanaya are foster sisters is revealed in
the first half itself. Intimate moments between Aditya and Shanaya are very erotically depicted.
Great 3 D effects, especially the scenes where Esha Gupta is attacked by cockroaches and in the climax.
Cast of Raaz 3:
Bipasha Basu – Shanaya
Emraan Hashmi – Aditya
Esha Gupta – Sanjana
Manish Chowdhary – Ghost (Tara Dutt)
Mohan Kapoor – Doctor
Anand – Anand
Zeeshan Khalid – Agoo Dadaa
Credits & Crew of Raaz 3:
Studio: Vishesh Films, Fox Star Studios
Produced by Mahesh Bhatt, Mukesh Bhatt
Directed by Vikram Bhatt
Story – Shagufta Rafique
Music by Jeet Ganguly, Mithoon, Rashid
Cinematographer – Pravin Bhatt
Assistant Director – Shuvankar Ghosh
Visual Effects by Tom C. Hall
Visual Effects Supervisor – Kvsanjit
Stunts – Abbas Ali Moghul
