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When was the last time you saw a Bollywood A-lister headlining a horror movie? As hard as you may try, you will realise that such instances are far and few – Emraan Hashmi in Raaz 2 and Ajay Devgan in Kaal are ones that come to mind instantly.
But don’t Shah Rukh Khan in Paheli or Amitabh Bachchan in Bhoothnath qualify for the list? No. Both SRK and Big B played benign, good ghosts in movies that weren’t really horror films.
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So why are Bollywood stars really scared of being a part of horror films? Let’s find out…
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1. Can’t be the ghost: Most horror films revolve around the apparition/ghost/bhoot, that is invisible in most of the films as it is just a presence that is felt, not seen. Stars, obviously, want to hog the limelight and take away the most footage, not act in a movie where they are not even seen.
2 .Don’t want to look ugly: Even if the ghost’s character in the film is seen, it is highly unlikely that it will look normal. Ghastly make-up and prosthetics usually accompany the making of a ghost. Bollywood stars, male and female, can’t risk looking ugly either as their face/look is their biggest asset.
3. I want to be the hero: So if the stars can’t play the supernatural force in horror films, the only other significant part left is that of the victim (remember Urmila Matondkar in Bhoot?). As enticing as this might seem to an actor, the stars have to make sure that they are seen as the hero only and not victim. This is the way the industry works.
4. But I’m a good person: Most ghosts in Hindi films end up killing or injuring a lot people, sometimes even innocents. Stars who have already made an image of themselves as being the “good” guy – the obedient son, the romantic hero – will definitely shuffle their feet before taking up a role that has them ruthlessly killing and wounding people. And adding the fact most ghosts in Bollywood movies either stare blankly at their victims or make ferocious faces at them, there’s definitely no award waiting for them either.
Which actor would you like to see as a ghost and why? Tell us in the comments section below:
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