Pavan Kirpalani-directed Bhoot Police is one of the much-awaited horror comedies of this year. Starring Saif Ali Khan, Arjun Kapoor, Yami Gautam and Jacqueline Fernandez, the film was scheduled to release on Disney+Hotstar on September 17. However, the makers of Bhoot Police decided to give fans a Ganesh Chaturthi treat by releasing it a week before. Now, it will get a global premiere on September 10. 

As Bhoot Police are on their way in just a few days, PeepingMoon.com got in touch with the film's producer Ramesh Taurani. One of the founders of Tips Industries Limited, Mr. Taurani has been in the entertainment industry for many decades and understands the pulse of his audience very well. Talking about adapting to changing times, the producer said Bhoot Police was meant to be a theatrical release. Due to the pandemic, theatres across Maharashtra are yet to reopen. Taking this into consideration, the producer had to go for an OTT release. 

In the exclusive interview, Mr. Taurani shed light on the change in the film's cast, preponing the release date, why it took 5 years to kickstart the project, shedding light on superstition and whether Bhoot Police will get sequels in the future.

Excerpts from the interview: 

Bhoot Police was scheduled to release on Disney + Hotstar on September 17. It will now arrive a week before. What’s the reason behind the preponing its release?

The buzz around Bhoot Police is very strong. Disney+Hotstar, the OTT giant on which the film will release, wanted to prepone the release. They are happy with the film’s buzz so they wanted to change the date and we supported their decision. It is also Ganesh Chaturthi weekend. 

Bhoot Police was originally made for a theatrical release. Why did you decide to go for an OTT premiere?

Bhoot Police was scheduled to release in theatres on September 10. Somehow it didn’t happen because of the pandemic. 

Horror comedies require an atmosphere to suck the audience into the story. Will the OTT premiere be a disadvantage for Bhoot Police? 

Not at all. A good film will always work, irrespective of the medium. I don't see any problem here. I think farak nahi padna chahiye. If theatres were open, we would have released it on the big screen. After all, 3-4 weeks after debuting in theatres, films come to television. Situation aisa hai ki humko karna hi pada. 

The trailer of Bhoot Police indicated that the story revolves around tantriks, ghostbusters, age-old superstitions, evil spirits etc. Being a producer, why do you supernatural films are still a favourite with the audience even in 2021?

In India, we do believe in such things. Hume in sab pe belief hai aur kaafi logon ke aise cases dekhe hai real life mein. We are able to identify with such stories. There are people who have faith in tantriks and ghostbusters. That’s why Bhoot Police is a believable story.    

People often compare Bollywood and Hollywood when it comes to supernatural content. Is it unfair to do so? 

Bollywood and Hollywood make good films and there is no doubt about that. Irrespective of the genre, a film should have a good story. If your storytelling method is engaging, your project has good actors and if the audience enjoys it thoroughly, then the film will be loved.

Due to the digital boom, trolling and negative comments are on a rise. Are you prepared for trolls and criticism for showing superstitious practices in the film?

Firstly, we are not encouraging superstition. Jab log dekhenge Bhoot Police tab samajh jayege ki story ke hisab se joh required hai vahi hai.    

Bhoot Police was originally announced with Saif Ali Khan, Ali Fazal and Fatima Sana Shaikh in 2019. The cast underwent a change last year....

In 2019, some different producer was bankrolling Bhoot Police. When the film came to us, Saif Ali Khan was the only actor attached to the project. After hearing the story, we felt Arjun Kapoor, Yami Gautam and Jacqueline Fernandez would fit into their characters well. 

In an interview, Saif Ali Khan said Bhoot Police was in the making for almost 5 years. What caused a delay in kickstarting the project?

The producer before us didn't make the film. We started the work after acquiring the rights. 

Yami Gautam tied the knot after wrapping Bhoot Police. Were you aware of her wedding plan?

No. Yami never told us about it. Chupake rakha tha sab se. Hum sabke liye voh suspense tha. 

You’ve produced one of Bollywood’s biggest film franchises- Race. Will Bhoot Police get sequels in the future?

Yes, definitely. I am confident that people will love Bhoot Police. Once we release the film, we might start working on the sequel.