Aghathiyaa Trailer Launch: Raashi Khanna, Jiva & Director P. Vijay Attend Grace the Event

Aghathiyaa Trailer Launch: On Friday, February 21st, an event was held at a hotel in Juhu, Mumbai, where the trailer for the South Indian film Aghathiyaa was launched. The event saw the lead cast members Raashi Khanna and Jiva in attendance, along with the film's director, P. Vijay. Jiva's real name is Amar Chaudhary.

Raashi Khanna's Look

At the event, Raashi Khanna made a stylish appearance in a black outfit featuring a side cut. She paired it with black heels and styled her hair in a half-updo. In the movie, Raashi plays the role of 'Veena,' an architect.

Jiva's Appearance

Jiva, on the other hand, was seen in a dashing look and will appear opposite Raashi in the film.

The Trailer Launch

During the event, Jiva shared with the media that Aghathiyaa is a horror film with a pan-India release. He spoke about how horror films have their own market, referring to the success of films like Stree  mentioned that audiences would get another opportunity to experience something exciting with Aghathiyaa.

After that, the media asked several questions to the film's cast and makers.

Horror films have their own market. After the success of Stree 1 and Stree 2, the audience will have another opportunity to watch this film. How different is your film from Stree?

Jiva:  Stree is an inspiration, and Raashi has worked in a pan-India film. The horror and adventure genre has already been a hit in India, and Stree received a great response from the audience. As for our film, it has action, romance, flashbacks, and a period drama. Arjun Sir's performance is outstanding, and the film also carries a good message for children.

How much do you believe in ghosts, and what is your role in this film?

Raashi: First of all, I would like to add to what Jivamentioned. You asked how our horror film differs from Stree. I would say our film is a horror fantasy, which blends horror and fantasy—offering a new experience to the audience. The VFX work is crucial in this film. It also carries a good message, and our hero is the center of the story. I play the character of Veena, an architect. This film has both horror and fantasy elements, and I believe the audience should watch it in theaters. Unlike typical jump scares, the film offers a strong story that can be enjoyed with family.

Have you ever had any experiences while shooting horror films, like encountering ghosts or unusual happenings on set? What was the atmosphere like on set?

Raashi: When I was a new actress, I wasn’t aware of such experiences. But as I gained experience, I realized how important it is to mentally disconnect from the character. Once, on set, I felt as if someone was around me, and I sensed some negative energy. However, I have strong faith in God, so I am not afraid of such things.

You’ve been in film distribution for 15 years, especially in dubbing films. In recent years, every South Indian film has been released as a dubbed version first, but most have not been successful. What’s your take on this?

Aneesh Dev (Producer-Distributor): A film has no language; it’s just about telling a story. To reach the audience, dubbing is essential, as it helps the film travel from one region to another. With technology, now dubbing is 100% lip-sync, while before it used to be 50-60%. Digital distribution has made it easier, as physical prints and copies were costly and difficult to transport. Now, dubbing is considered authentic.

You look so beautiful in horror films; what's the secret behind your beauty?

Raashi: I’d give all the credit to my parents. Their traits have passed on to me, so I can’t really take credit for it.

What does ‘Aghathiyaa’ mean?

Pa. Vijay: The meaning of Aghathiyaa is based on our Indian traditional roots, which is the core of the story. The reason we chose this name for the film is because of these traditional connections. In the story, you’ll learn why the protagonist is named so. Everything is explained in detail in our story.

How do you support a project? What do you look for in a project before investing? How do you expect returns?

Pa. Vijay: Well, I wanted to produce a good film with solid content. It’s a mix of horror, comedy, and fantasy.

These days, South films are very popular. What message do you want to convey through your film?

Pa. Vijay: The USP of our film is its climax, which offers a unique experience. The climax is about 17 minutes long, and over 5 minutes of it uses new VFX technology, specifically motion capture (mocap). We scanned the actors’ bodies to create 3D models, on which we built a fight sequence that lasts for over 4.5 minutes. The VFX team abroad worked on this. We believe this technology will attract both children and families, and that’s the USP of our film.

When shooting a horror film, what kind of lighting and effects do you focus on? How does the DOP's responsibility increase since the goal is to scare the audience through the camera?

We paid special attention to the costumes and tone, giving the audience a completely different experience. To engage the audience more, we used motion control in many scenes. This was challenging because the camera kept moving, and the actors had to remain in a particular position to stay in the frame. A small mistake meant redoing the shot. For the climax, we used a unique approach to appeal to children.

You were a sports person and now you're working in a horror-comedy film. What changes have you seen in your acting?

Jiva: As an actor, you have to work in all kinds of genres. I’m proud to have been a part of 83, and I’m thankful to Kabir Khan sir. During the shooting of 83, we received support from real cricketers, and working with Ranveer Singh was an incredible experience. His dedication to the role made the film possible. We received great feedback from the audience and appreciation on social media. After 83, I planned a film like Agathiya, which will create a new space in the hearts of the audience.

This film is a period horror thriller and will be released on February 28, 2025, in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, on a pan-India scale in theaters.

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