In the early 2000s, when Bollywood was still experimenting with the horror genre, Hawa stood out not just for its eerie setting but also for casting the usually selective Tabu in a role unlike any other. In a candid conversation, the filmmaker reflects on the making of Hawa, the breathtaking locations, the behind-the-scenes camaraderie, and the thought of a potential sequel.

The picky Tabu actually agree to be part of Hawa?

Recently I saw Kajol in Maa. She reminded me of Tabu in Hawa. I am reminded of Rohtang Pass, the start of the film, where the film starts. Full of snowy mountains, and a red car is going, in which a lady is moving residence somewhere with her two daughters. It was a wonderful location. And I remember, there was a place stretching into fifteen miles where there was a very narrow bridge, on which only one car could pass at a time.

How did you find this location?

I saw that location during the shooting of Jaal: The Trap, and then I decided that if I will make a horror film, then I will make it here. After crossing that bridge, there was a jungle, where we had put up a set, a very big set, and it was set up by Nitish Roy. Our director was the late and great Nitish Roy. And it was a wonderful location.

How was your rapport with Tabu?

I had a lot of fun with Tabu, while making that film. It was a lot of fun, special effects were not so good at that time, and how to find ways to do it, and how to do all the tricks, discussions with all technicians, it was a lot of fun making that film.

If the special effects were better…

If the end-product would have been better, then maybe the film would have been a big hit. But a lot of memories are attached to it. And still the title is with me, Hawa. Sometimes I feel like making Hawa 2. So many horror films are being made, so I think why not make Hawa 2? Let’s see what happens.