Official Bhootiyagiri: Sumeet Vyas On The Horror Comedy Show, ‘We Want To Entertain People As Well As Scare Them’- EXCLUSIVE
MX Exclusive Official Bhootiyagiri led by Sumeet Vyas premiers on the player; actor talks at length about the show, shooting experiences and the ongoing pandemic.
After Official Chukyagiri and Official CEOgiri, Sumeet Vyas, who earlier essayed the role of D-Sir is back with an Arré Original and MX Exclusive Official Bhootiyagiri. Sumeet will portray the roles of Dilawar Rana. In its third edition, this dramedy traces the out-of-the-ordinary life of Dilawar Rana who is offered a deal to stay out of jail, but a condition is thrust upon him- he must run a dodgy hotel owned by his family and make it profitable.
As seen in the trailer, the hotel is haunted and Dilawar must go beyond mere mortals and emerge triumphed when pitted against a Bhoot. The series also features Eisha Chopra, Pranay Manchanda, Mohan Kapoor, Sujata Segal, Udita Bhalla, Naveen Prabhakar, Ajay Kapoor and is directed by Vishwajoy Mukherjee. SpotboyE got in touch with the leading actor Sumeet Vyas and spoke to him about the web show at length. Here’s the excerpt from our exclusive conversation with the actor.
Tell us how was the overall experience while shooting the series where you struggle to run a haunted hotel and offer guests 'the best haunting experience'
We honestly enjoyed shooting for the show because the script was interesting this time. For the past two seasons, it was a show about businesses and corporate life and about people who are struggling in the back front. This time it has taken the most personal route where you dealt with the biggest fears you have. Bhootiyagiri is a horror-comedy where it talks about ghosts but eventually, there are a lot of things that we fear in our lives. Our insecurities are our biggest ghosts and how we deal with that and how the surreal experiences make you value the real experiences that you have in life.
Bhootiyagiri Official Poster
How difficult was it to get in the character of Dilawar Rana?
Not difficult, but very different. It is very far from who I am. I am not from a business family, not a corporate guy at all so my issues in real life are very very different from the play, which is why it’s so exciting to play a guy whose universe is so different from mine. The only place that I can relate to it in this part is the emotional aspect of this character, where I try to bring in my personal experiences. So, that way it’s a fun part to play.
A Still From Bhootiyagiri
Do you personally believe in Ghosts or any haunted place? Share if you have encountered such incidence.
I haven’t been to a haunted place, I don’t do that. I am somewhere in the middle. I am not a complete non-believer that says that none of these things (exist) or it is pretty chill or these things don’t exist, perhaps they do. But I haven’t witnessed them. I am somewhere in the middle. I am not crazy afraid all the time and keep thinking that ghosts are here and there all the time- neither I indulge in these things nor I say ghosts and spirits don’t exist. (ALSO READ: Sumeet Vyas' First Mother's Day Wish For Pregnant Wife Ekta Kaul; Shares A Pic Resting His Head On Her Baby Bump)
What makes Bhootiyagiri different from other horror-comedy shows? Give your fans a reason to watch the show
One is it’s a horror-comedy plus it’s a very balanced horror-comedy. It’s not spooky. While doing a horror comedy and you don’t want to overdo it or under-do it so it’s not scary and that is what we tried to achieve after a lot of difficulties. We want to entertain people as well as scare them. Beyond that, thematically there’s a very spiritual message that the things that we keep in the heart from childhood, insecurities, grudges we gave against people and friends or parents are the biggest ghosts and fighting with them is the biggest battle we always fight. If you are able to fight those ghosts then you’’ be able to fight the other too.
A Still From Bhootiyagiri
Was the shooting done before lockdown?
Yes! We completed the shooting in November. Producers had planned to release it around March. But due to the lockdown, the post-production took halt things got little delayed. But now I am happy it’s coming out now as everybody is at home. There’s a great chance for people to watch it. The best part is, it’s not the long show, and you can binge-watch the entire series in some 2-2.5 hours. No, big commitment.
A Still From Bhootiyagiri
Any specific message you would like to address to your fans during this ongoing pandemic?
Don’t step out unless it’s very essential. Please stay at home. God has given us this time to spend with our friends, family and ourselves. Watch Bhootiyagiri, it will entertain you while you do so.
Images Source: PR
