When a project creates an impact, you’d expect everyone to be thrilled and eagerly waiting to dive right into another season. However, in a chat with mid-day, Karan Tacker — who has recently starred in Amazon MX Player’s Bhay: The Gaurav Tiwari Mystery — admits he is actually terrified that the horror biopic, based on Abhirup Dhar’s book Ghost Hunter Gaurav Tiwari: The Life and Legacy of India’s Foremost Paranormal Investigator, might be renewed for another season. After laughing it off (but only slightly), he tells us why the show ranks among the bravest decisions of his career and his eerie brushes with the paranormal.
Excerpts from the interview:
Before the show, did you know about Tiwari?
No, I actually didn’t. So when this show was offered to me, I did exactly what [anyone would] do — I went online and quickly looked up who Gaurav Tiwari was, because I didn’t want to look stupid. I was genuinely blown away when I read his story. From the very beginning, I was extremely kicked about the concept of the show.
Karan Tacker as Gaurav Tiwari
Wasn’t it risky to open with Tiwari’s death scene?
In Hindi cinema, you never ideally show your protagonist dead from the first frame. But we wanted to take that cold-open strategy to tell people exactly what they’re getting into and rope them into the story instantly. It was a punt we took as a team, and it paid off.
Did working on this series strengthen your belief in the paranormal?
I’ve always believed there is life after death and have always been curious about it. I’ve read many books, met people who write [about paranormal things] and connect with the other side. I never dived too deep into it before because it felt like a dark hole. But after the show, the intrigue has become a part of my reality. Had this been fiction, my mind would work differently. We’ve seen documented footage, real sightings, and knowing Gaurav was celebrated globally makes everything feel very bona fide. While promoting the show, I went to a haunted site and did a real séance with a paranormal investigator. I don’t know where I got the guts to do it, but it was surreal. I didn’t sleep for a week after that.
We even experienced strange things on set in Madhya Pradesh when we were shooting in a rundown bungalow like when seven set-up cameras glitched together, batteries of phones and cameras got drained, and a massive tree crashed onto an ambulance. There were moments that genuinely shook us.
Gaurav Tiwari
Did shooting the show emotionally or psychologically disturb you?
Absolutely. This has been the most disturbing experience of my life as an actor. Knowing this is a real person’s story, knowing he died mysteriously, knowing he claimed something latched onto him — that really stayed with me. I had sleepless nights after seeing real footage. A big part of me is happy that it’s done because it was really torturous. Also, shooting 40 nights in isolated, funky locations is not easy. I’m almost afraid there is going to be a season two.
The show uses strong background music and sound effects. Was that deliberate?
Yes. Background music (BGM) is essential. Even in theatre during Shakespeare’s time, music supported the narrative and emotions. You need to balance creativity with mass connect. India’s main audience sits outside metros, so you have to simplify things and also spoon-feed a bit. The first two episodes went through 22 edits just to get the tone and pacing right.
Pic/iStock
Was this the riskiest role of your career?
Yes, absolutely. This was the biggest risk I’ve taken. People don’t always accept you when you move away from heroic roles. Either it was going to land or completely fail. Thankfully, it worked.
When you look back at your journey, how do you see your career now?
I’ve really enjoyed my career. Things didn’t move as fast as I would’ve liked, but it’s been fulfilling. I wasn’t a trained actor; I didn’t come here to become one. I come from a business family. I did odd jobs [including] flying as a cabin crew. Acting happened by chance. I took a six-to-seven-year break from TV because I wanted to do only something that genuinely pushed my career. OTT changed everything. From Special Ops to Khakee: The Bihar Chapter to Bhay, I feel fortunate to have found diversity in my work. My aim now is to do one or two powerful projects a year, and I’ll be happy with that.
Who is Gaurav Tiwari?
He was India’s most prominent paranormal investigator and founder of the Indian Paranormal Society. He dedicated his life to studying and investigating haunted locations worldwide. His death in July 2016 remains mysterious. He was found in his Delhi home, with a mark around his neck. The police cited asphyxia due to hanging and suggested depression, but his family and followers believe something “unseen” may have been responsible.