Raaz (transl. Secret) is a 2002 Indian supernatural horror film directed by Vikram Bhatt. The film stars Dino Morea and Bipasha Basu in lead roles, with Malini Sharma and Ashutosh Rana in supporting roles. In the Indian media, the film is widely regarded as a landmark in the history of Indian cinema and considered one of the best Hindi horror films. The film is an unofficial adaptation of the American film What Lies Beneath (2000). American entertainment publication Collider has termed it better than the original. The story follows Aditya (Dino) and Sanjana (Bipasha) retreat to Ooty to mend their broken marriage, but their new home harbors more than silence — a ghost with unfinished business. As the haunting deepens, Sanjana uncovers a chilling truth: the greatest threat may be the man she is trying to save. It was a major commercial and critical success emerging as second-highest-grossing film of the year 2002 being the most profitable venture and the first instalment in the Raaz series. Morea and Basu won a Zee Cine Award in the category of Dynamic Duo. The film earned a nomination for Best Film at the 48th Filmfare Awards. Nadeem-Shravan's music also earned them several Filmfare Award nominations. The film was shot in places across Ooty including The Lawrence School, Lovedale. The voices for the leading cast were dubbed by professional artists; Mona Ghosh Shetty dubbed for Basu, Namrata Sawhney dubbed for Sharma, and Bhatt himself dubbed for Morea. A spiritual sequel to the film was released on 23 January 2009, under the title Raaz: The Mystery Continues and the third installment of the series titled Raaz 3 was released in 3D on 7 September 2012. A fourth film, Raaz Reboot, was released on 16 September 2016.
Plot In the mist-covered forests near Ooty, a college picnic turns into a chilling tragedy when Nisha, a medical student, suddenly attacks her boyfriend in a violent, inexplicable outburst and dies moments later. The mysterious nature of her death baffles the police, who call on Professor Agni Swaroop, a reclusive occult expert. Swaroop's investigation reveals that Nisha was possessed by a malevolent spirit, awakened by unresolved secrets buried deep within the forest. Meanwhile, in Mumbai, Sanjana and Aditya Dhanraj are a married couple struggling to save their deteriorating relationship. Aditya, a successful yet emotionally distant businessman, is preoccupied with work, creating a rift between them. To salvage their marriage, they plan a retreat to Ooty, choosing a secluded, abandoned colonial bungalow near the forest where Nisha's death occurred—an ominous setting that soon reveals a darker presence. Shortly after arrival, Sanjana begins to experience terrifying supernatural phenomena: ghostly screams from the forest, eerie whispers, and vivid nightmares. The local staff reveal the disappearance of Robert, the previous caretaker, who vanished after being tormented by the same malevolent force. Sanjana asked Aditya about Robert but ignored. Sanjana confides in her friend Priya, who introduces her to Professor Swaroop. Using an ancient occult ritual—a lemon that inexplicably turns blood red at sunset—Swaroop confirms the presence of a dark spirit tethered to the bungalow and forest. Their further investigation leads to the discovery of a buried revolver registered to Colonel Arjun Malik. The Colonel reveals that the weapon belonged to his daughter, Malini, a troubled young woman with a severe psychiatric illness who mysteriously disappeared years ago. During a séance, Sanjana uncovers the vengeful truth: years earlier, Aditya had an extramarital affair with Malini during a rough patch in his marriage. When Aditya refused to leave Sanjana for Malini, the devastated Malini fatally shot herself in his presence, intending to frame him. Fearing scandal, Aditya conspired with Robert, the caretaker, to secretly bury Malini's body in the forest, hiding the tragic event. Malini's restless spirit awakens, fueled by feelings of betrayal and injustice, and its vengeful haunting intensifies. The ghost impersonates Sanjana to sow mistrust and lures Aditya into the deadly forest. Under Malini's influence, Aditya is involved in a harrowing car accident, falling off a cliff and becoming critically injured. Aditya's internal conflict and guilt over his betrayal clash with Sanjana's fear and love. Their strained relationship becomes a battleground against the supernatural force threatening to destroy them both. Determined to break the curse, Sanjana, Priya, and Swaroop enter the forest to confront Malini's wrath. In a tragic turn, Swaroop is killed and possessed by the spirit. They also find Robert's decomposed body hanging from a tree, evidence of the spirit's deadly power. In a dramatic, Sanjana faces the fully possessed Swaroop in a battle of wills against the supernatural. Drawing strength from her love for Aditya and her newfound courage, she recites an ancient incantation taught by Swaroop. As flames roar around Malini's grave, Sanjana douses it with petrol and sets it ablaze, igniting a blazing inferno that lights the dark forest in an otherworldly glow. At the same time, a weakened but determined Aditya fights his way back from the brink of death to join Sanjana. Together, amidst swirling fire and howling wind, they confront the vengeful spirit. The ghost's shrieks dissolve into silence as the flames consume her remains, breaking the curse at last. After the terrifying ordeal, Sanjana and Aditya rebuilt their bond, replacing guilt with forgiveness and love. They left the past behind and started anew, eventually welcoming a healthy baby boy. Their lives filled with joy and harmony, leaving dark memories far away as they embraced a bright future together.
Cast
Dino Morea as Aditya Dhanraj Bipasha Basu as Sanjana Dhanraj Malini Sharma as Malini Malik Ashutosh Rana as Professor Agni Swaroop Shruti Ulfat as Priya Vishwajeet Pradhan as Ajay, Priya's husband Mink Brar as Nisha Ali Asgar as Rohit, Nisha's boyfriend Masood Akhtar as Robert Pratima Kazmi as Robert's wife Anang Desai as Mr Dhanraj, Aditya's father Neha Bam as Mrs Dhanraj, Aditya's mother Murli Sharma as Police Inspector Yusuf Hussain as a doctor treating Nisha Ishwar Patel Kiran Randhawa
Production
… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.
