‘‘#Cult’ is Going To Be Gorier Than ‘Toxic’ and ‘Dhurandhar’ Combined,’ Says Vishwak Sen (EXCLUSIVE)

Actor-filmmaker Vishwak Sen is excited as the teaser of “#Cult” will be out today. In a chat with Variety India, he says his movie is way more violent than “Dhurandhar,” “Toxic,” or “Animal” combined. A slasher film, “#Cult” will have an R-rated trailer that should be out in a couple of months time. One of the unique aspects is that he has cast 100 new faces for his movie. Excerpts from an interview with Variety India. 

You have cast 40 new actors in the your film, “#Cult.” What prompted this decision?

It is not 40. I have cast 100 new actors for “#Cult”. When I create a new world, I don't want anybody to come with any kind of baggage. When you are building a new world, I think you need a new base. It makes it better. 

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How did you go about this?

We had been auditioning for a year before the actual shoot started. The setting is a rich, elite community in the city. In such a case, you can't just bring regular extras, dress them up and make them look rich. I wanted around 250 new faces, but it came down to 100. These young actors will be seen properly in the film. This casting felt like an achievement for us.

Is this also because you are an outsider and have seen the struggle of newcomers?

That is definitely there, that is there. Here, without my salary, and that of all these new people, “#Cult” is costing around Rs 35 crores. All these actors have been paid. The film will have top-notch Hollywood production standards. 

“#Cult” is a slasher film. Do you feel violent films are a trend now given the recent box office successes or is violence very compelling on screen if done right?

I have been writing this movie for four years. So, there was never any intention to follow the trend. And I think I just landed it (the film) this time, when violent films are releasing one after the other. But I promise you, you have never seen something like this before. I saw the “Toxic” teaser this morning. 

So, “#Cult” is going to be gorier than “Toxic” and “Dhurandhar” combined?

Yeah

You made your acting debut in 2017 and your first film as a director was in 2019. Was it a pre-planned decision to act and make films simultaneously? 

Basically, it all started from necessity. Later on, I began to enjoy direction. If I really like the draft of a movie, I end up directing it. It is not like I want to desperately direct films every now and then. After my second directorial, Das Ki Dhamki (2023), I thought I would take a five-year break from direction. It has been three years now. When I finished writing the script of “#Cult”, I wanted to direct it. This movie is financed by my friend and me. We have more creative control on our film. 

You have a decent record at the box office but maintain a low-profile. Was it a conscious decision?

I would like someone to do PR for me but I am too lazy to think about such things. All my time is taken up by my films and other things in life. 

How many projects do you have lined up? 

I have five upcoming projects, where I am only acting. One of them is with Tarun Bhascker and another with Saikiran Daida titled “Legacy.”  

What was the inspiration behind ‘#Cult’?

The idea of the project began to form after I watched “Project X”....I wanted to do something of that sort in India. “#Cult” is “Project X” meets “Squid Game.”