Never wanted to start my journey with sequels: Vishesh Bhatt

Vishesh Bhatt, the son of filmmaker Mukesh Bhatt, says he never set out to make his debut behind the camera with sequels.
'Murder' (2004) erotic thriller film was directed by Anurag Basu and produced by Mahesh Bhatt. The film starring Emraan Hashmi, Mallika Sherawat and Ashmit Patel managed to become a hit at the box office. Then it was Mohit Suri who helmed 'Murder 2' (2011), with Emraan and Jacqueline Fernandez in the lead, which again did well.
With 'Murder 3' (released on February 15 this year) Vishesh made his directorial debut which starred Randeep Hooda, Aditi Rao Hydari and Pakistani actress Sara Loren.

"I never wanted to start my journey as a director with sequels. I believe in innovation. And I brought that (innovation) in my story. It is just that the makers felt that the title of the film should be kept 'Murder 3'. I did not think that my first film will be a sequel or will be 'Murder 3'. It was not easy to make a film," Vishesh told PTI.
"I did not deliberately set out to make 'Murder 3'. I had an idea that came to me first then the name of the franchise - 'Murder' was added. The idea of calling it or to title the film as 'Murder 3' came from the makers," he said.

"To have the title of the film as 'Murder 3' was something that was debated. Eventually it was decided that it went well with the subject of the film. I did not pre-plan to make 'Murder 3' as my directorial debut. The makers wanted to re-invent the 'Murder' franchise," the director added.