Won't make 'Murder', 'Raaz' franchises without Emraan: Mahesh Bhatt

Mahesh Bhatt and Emraan Hashmi

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt says his nephew Emraan Hashmi will continue to be a part of hit franchises like 'Raaz' and 'Murder'.

Mahesh Bhatt and Emraan Hashmi

There were reports that actor Sidharth Malhotra, who will be seen in Bhatt's upcoming film 'Ek Villain', will be part of the forthcoming installments of 'Raaz' and 'Murder'. A report claimed that Sidharth had signed a multiple-film deal with the banner (Vishesh Films). Quashing such reports, Bhatt said only Emraan will take forward the franchises.

"Going by the numbers, it is impossible for us to separate the 'Murder' and 'Raaz' franchises from Emraan. He is an integral and inseparable part of the brand," Bhatt said in a statement here. Citing the example of 'Murder 3' (2013), which starred Randeep Hooda and Aditi Rao Hydari, Bhatt said, "We have burnt our fingers thoroughly with 'Murder 3', a venture Emraan did not spearhead, and we do not plan to repeat that.

Whoever is spreading these rumours (of Sidharth doing the franchise) has vested interests and is way out of line." "I hope this puts the malice to rest...we will not make (the next) 'Murder' or 'Raaz' without Emraan," he said. Before starting his journey as an actor, Emraan worked with Vishesh Films as an assistant director on Vikram Bhatt's 'Raaz' (2002).

In 2003, he made his acting debut with Bhatt's 'Footpath' and was then seen in erotic thriller 'Murder' (2004), which was successful at the box office. Subsequently, Emraan appeared in several hit films, mostly under the Vishesh Films banner, like 'Zeher', 'Kalyug' 'Gangster', 'Awarapan', 'Jannat', 'Raaz - The Mystery Continues', 'Murder 2', 'Jannat 2', 'Raaz 3D' and others.