Blab Entertainment
Vikram Bhatts Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past Breaks Through Amid Legal Turmoil and a Crowded Release Week
Vikram Bhatt’s 2026 horror sequel, Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past, opened on 12 June 2026 and has already earned ₹13.6 crore, recovering more than 60 % of its estimated ₹15–20 crore budget in just four days. The figure, reported by Sacnilk, places the film at the top of the opening‑week charts in a week that also saw releases such as Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, Main Vaapas Aaunga, Governor: The Silent Saviour, Heer Sara, Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day, and the Hollywood horror hit Backrooms.
The film is a spiritual sequel to Bhatt’s 2011 3‑D horror Haunted, which was made on a shoestring budget of about ₹13 crore and earned nearly three times that amount. Echoes Of The Past follows a similar formula: a low‑budget production that relies on jump‑scares, a simplified narrative, and a blend of horror with music and melodrama. The story centers on a haunted palace in a hill town, a blind ghost, and a girl trapped in a time loop that ties the present to a different era.
Bhatt co‑directs the film with Manish P. Chavan. The cast includes Mahaakshay Chakraborty (Mimoh Chakraborty), who reprises his role from the original, along with Chetna Pande, Gaurav Bajpai, Hemant Pandey, Shruti Prakash, and Praneet Bhat. Production was handled by Anand Pandit, Javed Khan King, and Shwetambari Bhatt, with Mahesh Bhatt serving as presenter. The soundtrack, composed by Prateek Walia and Puneet Dixit, features nine songs performed by Mohit Chauhan, Jubin Nautiyal, and Palak Muchhal.
The film’s journey to the screen was marked by several hurdles. According to Bhatt’s social‑media post, the project faced monetary difficulties and post‑production VFX problems. In December 2026, Bhatt and his wife were arrested on allegations that they had cheated Dr. Ajay Murdia of ₹30 crore over a promised biopic. The couple was granted bail by the Supreme Court in mid‑February 2026. The legal proceedings created uncertainty for distributors and exhibitors, and the release was initially limited.
Despite these challenges, the film opened in theatres and performed strongly. Bhatt noted that “two days before release, nobody knew whether Haunted would actually make it into theatres. Distributors were nervous. Exhibitors were nervous. Years of effort seemed to hang in the balance. Then the film was cleared. Even then, due to the uncertainty surrounding the court order, the showcasing remained limited. The release entered theatres wounded. By every conventional yardstick, it should have struggled. Instead, something extraordinary happened. The audience arrived.”
The success of Echoes Of The Past underscores Bhatt’s reputation as a low‑budget horror specialist. His earlier works, such as the Raaz series (2002, 2012, 2016) and the 1920 films (2008, 2018), followed a similar pattern of combining horror tropes with mainstream Bollywood elements. The new film continues that legacy, demonstrating that a modest investment can still yield significant box‑office returns when the formula resonates with audiences.
Industry observers note that the film’s performance may influence future horror projects in India. While the market for supernatural thrillers remains niche, Echoes Of The Past shows that a well‑executed low‑budget film can compete with larger productions, even in a crowded release window. The film’s release also highlights the importance of navigating legal and logistical challenges, as the legal case involving Bhatt did not ultimately prevent the film’s commercial success.
In summary, Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past has proven that Vikram Bhatt’s horror formula remains effective. The film’s box‑office earnings, achieved amid legal complications and stiff competition, reaffirm his status as a prominent figure in Bollywood horror. As the film continues to draw audiences, its performance will be closely watched by producers and distributors considering similar low‑budget ventures.
The film is a spiritual sequel to Bhatt’s 2011 3‑D horror Haunted, which was made on a shoestring budget of about ₹13 crore and earned nearly three times that amount. Echoes Of The Past follows a similar formula: a low‑budget production that relies on jump‑scares, a simplified narrative, and a blend of horror with music and melodrama. The story centers on a haunted palace in a hill town, a blind ghost, and a girl trapped in a time loop that ties the present to a different era.
Bhatt co‑directs the film with Manish P. Chavan. The cast includes Mahaakshay Chakraborty (Mimoh Chakraborty), who reprises his role from the original, along with Chetna Pande, Gaurav Bajpai, Hemant Pandey, Shruti Prakash, and Praneet Bhat. Production was handled by Anand Pandit, Javed Khan King, and Shwetambari Bhatt, with Mahesh Bhatt serving as presenter. The soundtrack, composed by Prateek Walia and Puneet Dixit, features nine songs performed by Mohit Chauhan, Jubin Nautiyal, and Palak Muchhal.
The film’s journey to the screen was marked by several hurdles. According to Bhatt’s social‑media post, the project faced monetary difficulties and post‑production VFX problems. In December 2026, Bhatt and his wife were arrested on allegations that they had cheated Dr. Ajay Murdia of ₹30 crore over a promised biopic. The couple was granted bail by the Supreme Court in mid‑February 2026. The legal proceedings created uncertainty for distributors and exhibitors, and the release was initially limited.
Despite these challenges, the film opened in theatres and performed strongly. Bhatt noted that “two days before release, nobody knew whether Haunted would actually make it into theatres. Distributors were nervous. Exhibitors were nervous. Years of effort seemed to hang in the balance. Then the film was cleared. Even then, due to the uncertainty surrounding the court order, the showcasing remained limited. The release entered theatres wounded. By every conventional yardstick, it should have struggled. Instead, something extraordinary happened. The audience arrived.”
The success of Echoes Of The Past underscores Bhatt’s reputation as a low‑budget horror specialist. His earlier works, such as the Raaz series (2002, 2012, 2016) and the 1920 films (2008, 2018), followed a similar pattern of combining horror tropes with mainstream Bollywood elements. The new film continues that legacy, demonstrating that a modest investment can still yield significant box‑office returns when the formula resonates with audiences.
Industry observers note that the film’s performance may influence future horror projects in India. While the market for supernatural thrillers remains niche, Echoes Of The Past shows that a well‑executed low‑budget film can compete with larger productions, even in a crowded release window. The film’s release also highlights the importance of navigating legal and logistical challenges, as the legal case involving Bhatt did not ultimately prevent the film’s commercial success.
In summary, Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past has proven that Vikram Bhatt’s horror formula remains effective. The film’s box‑office earnings, achieved amid legal complications and stiff competition, reaffirm his status as a prominent figure in Bollywood horror. As the film continues to draw audiences, its performance will be closely watched by producers and distributors considering similar low‑budget ventures.
