Bollywood wakes up to 3-D magic

By Juhi Chakraborty
New Delhi, Aug 7 (PTI) After the stupendous success of
James Cameron's 'Avatar' in India, Bollywood (Indian film
industry) is also waking up to the wonders of 3-D technology
with a number of directors going for the third dimension in
their films.
Vikram Bhatt, who directed India's first stereoscopic
3-D horror film 'Haunted' is planning two more films in the
genre and he feels that the new technology is here to stay.
"I have a good knowledge about 3D technology but for
'Haunted' (which used stereoscopic 3D), I had to re-learn
everything. I am still learning. In India we are not yet
well-equipped to make a 3-D, that is why I had to hire three
people from Hollywood for my film. But things are looking up.
I think the audience is receptive to 3-D films," said Bhatt.
Bollywood is catching up quick and fast. Other than
Bhatt, director Shirish Kunder's 'Joker' starring Akshay Kumar
and Sonakshi Sinha will be made in 3-D.
"Could 3-D be the medium of the future? May be 2-D will
gradually phase out just like black & white films did. Digital
cinema is making its presence felt," Kunder said.
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who has criticised Bollywood's
lack of interest in new and emerging technologies, also wants
to include 3-D in his upcoming sci-fi 'Ra. One' to attract the
younger audience, saying that they are trying to convert
certain parts of parts of the film into 3-D.
It is being said that Aamir Khan starrer 'Dhoom 3' may go
the 3-D way. So is the case with Salman Khan's upcoming movie
'Kick'. Nikhil Advani is reportedly contemplating using the
technology in his next film 'Delhi Safari'. Chances are that
the sequel of 'Mr India' may also go for 3-D.