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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Himalayan Drama ‘Khoonta’ Wins Best Foreign Feature Film Award At London Independent Film Festival V eteran filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has opened up about his upcoming film ‘Haunted 2’, describing it as much more than a horror movie and revealing that the journey of making the film was as dramatic as the story on screen. Bhatt said while ‘Haunted’ carries the same title as his earlier film, the new movie tells a completely different story. Speaking to ANI, he shared, “Haunted was made a few years ago, but this story is completely differ- ent from that. There is no continuation. Yes, the continuation is that the name is Haunted and there is a Mimoh (Mimoh Chakraborty) in it and I am the director.” The filmmaker also reflected on the challenges faced during the making of the film, calling it a story of perseverance and determination. “Haunted ek sangharsh hai (Haunted was a struggle). It took us a long time to make it. In fact, the story behind Haunted is more interesting than the story of Haunted itself,” Bhatt said. He revealed that the production encountered several obstacles, including legal and financial issues. “Someone filed an FIR, someone blocked an ac- count, someone lodged a complaint in NCLT. Kisi ne jail mein band kar diya..paison ki maaramari. A lot happened during this journey. I could even write a book called The Making of Haunted: Echoes of the Heart because it is a sensational story of determination and grit,” he added. Bhatt expressed confidence in the film and urged audiences to experience it on the big screen. Calling it a departure from the recent trend of horror-comedies, the filmmaker said Haunted is a pure horror film that also carries strong emotional elements. “Haunted is not just a horror film. It’s a beautiful story filled with emotion and love. For a long time, we have mostly seen horror-comedies. If you want to watch a pure horror film with good music and a great love story, then Haunted is for you,” he said. Vikram Bhatt’s upcoming film ‘Haunted 3D’ is slated for a theatrical release on June 12, 2026. - ANI “It Is A Sensational Story Of Determination And Grit”: Vikram Bhatt Opens Up On Struggle Behind ‘Haunted 2’ PHOTO: ANI Entertainment News India Times (June 13, 2026 - June 19, 2026) June 19, 2026 27 ‘K hoonta’, a Hindi film writ- ten and directed by Anushi Sharma, who also acted in it, was screened at Cannes Film Festival Market Premiere May 16, following which it went on to win the Best Foreign Feature Film Award at the London Independent Film Festival 2026. United States-based filmmaker Mukesh Modi was the producer. Considered a breakthrough for Himachali films, Khoonta is set in a village and portrays life, faith, and tradition in the Himalayan region while addressing critical environ- mental issues facing the mountains today. The London Independent Film Festival (LIFF), which began in 2016, focuses on “first- and second-time filmmakers telling amazing stories with limited budgets,” its web- site says. Hosted every spring and autumn at Genesis cinema, the LIFF screened the work of almost 100 film- makers from around the world this May. The filmmakers of Khoonta strove to preserve authenticity by having Him- achali actors play the parts. “Set against the breathtaking back- drop of the Himalayas and inspired by the spiritual traditions associated with Mahasu Maharaj, KHOONTA tells a compelling story deeply rooted in the culture, beliefs, and heritage of the mountain communities,” said a press release fromMukesh Modi’s Indie Films Inc and D Star Entertainment. “The award further establishes KHOONTA as a significant voice in contemporary independent cinema and highlights the growing global appreciation for stories emerging from the Himalayan region,” it adds. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:COURTESY INDIE FILMS INC. PHOTO:COURTESY INDIE FILMS INC. Poster of ‘Khoonta’. Mukesh Modi, producer of ‘Khoonta’ poses with a poster of the movie at Cannes.