6th May 2011 is all set to be a milestone day in the history of Indian cinema with the release of India’s first stereoscopic 3D film, Vikram Bhatt’s ‘Haunted 3D’. The first of a three 3D movie deal signed between BVG Films (BVG), a division of ASA Productions and DAR Motion Pictures (DAR), the filmed entertainment division of DAR Media Private Limited (a DAR Capital Group Company), has Reliance Entertainment as the distribution partner and UFO Moviez India Limited (UFO), the world’s largest satellite delivered digital cinema network, as the technical and Digital 3D Partner.

Speaking about ‘Haunted 3D’, Vikram Bhatt, Director of the movie and board member, ASA Productions and Enterprises Ltd., said: “It is yet to sink in that on 6th May 2001, India's first 3D stereoscopic film Haunted 3D is releasing. We were all so caught up in getting everything just right, that the very fact that we are doing something that is path breaking in the Indian context and has never been done before completely was eclipsed. I truly feel lucky in having partners in Dar Motion Pictures who equally shared my passion of making this landmark come true. It all feels like a dream and I am confident that the fairytale will continue post 6th May.”

Shot with the same next generation 3D filming technology as was first used in Avatar, Haunted 3D is a compelling story, set in the misty mountains of Koti that revolves around Glen Manor, a sprawling mansion with a secret past and a haunting present. The protagonist ‘Rehan’ visits Glen Manor to complete a transaction, involving its sale that his father had initiated and which is now under a cloud due to certain mysterious incidents. What he does not bargain for is that while he is trying to do so he discovers a Secret and falls in love with it. What he does not bargain for is that the Secret catapults him to the biggest challenge and question of his life.

Commenting on the film, Arun Rangachari, Chairman, DAR Capital Group, said: “Haunted 3D has been an excellent experience full of adventure, learning and a deep sense of achievement. Helmed extremely well by Vikram, this 3D trendsetter sits well with DAR’s strong belief that the future of cinema lies in consumer driven innovations both on the content as well as technology fronts. Having already set new standards in Indian filming technologies we are confident that the audience will be left captivated with the experience of feeling real fear for the first time afforded by 3D and some very clever screenplay.”

The sub-continent’s new wave 3D stereoscopic film Haunted 3D features the latest digital 3D cinematography and projection techniques seen in Avatar (2009), the James Cameron blockbuster that created box office history and popularised the new format worldwide. Furthermore, filmed by the well-known 3DCC’s international team of technicians, including Brent Robinson, Christan Jeams and Cassidey and Micheal Reuben Flax, who have worked on the 3D and horror genre in Hollywood films like Resident Evil – the Afterlife, Saw 7, The Incredible Hulk, etc., the film has been shot with the crew’s custom 3D stereoscopic digital motion picture camera system and rigging. Haunted 3D’s extensive special effects were done at Prasad Studios, Chennai.

Commenting on the films 3D technology and tone, Brent Robinson said: “In Haunted we used the latest technology, similar to what was used in Avatar. It is not based on the archaic technology of converting 2D to 3D but actually includes beam-splitter and stereo tango rigs as well as 3D cameras along with S12k digital cameras. The movie uses suspense, silence and the play of music to scare audiences. We tried to maintain a moody tone for the film without going overboard. Otherwise the human mind would have found it difficult to understand and assimilate what’s going on.”

In addition, to the film’s technical USPs and achievements many industry stalwarts are also optimistic that, being the first Indian mainstream 3D stereoscopic film, it will usher in a new wave of 3D conversions on the exhibition front in India as well.

Other credits include Director of Photography Pravin Bhatt, Writer Amin Hajee, Music Director Chirantan Bhatt, Editor Kuldeep Mehan and Action by Abbas Ali Moghul.