Murder (franchise)

Overview

Murder is an Indian Hindi-language film franchise consisting of erotic thriller films produced by Vishesh Films, the production house run by Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt. The series began in 2004 with Murder, directed by Anurag Basu, and has since expanded into a loosely connected trilogy, with each instalment featuring a new cast, story, and director, while retaining the franchise's signature themes of infidelity, obsession, and crime.

Key facts

Background

Vishesh Films, founded by the Bhatt brothers, has long been associated with Hindi films exploring romantic and morally ambiguous themes. The first Murder was inspired by the 2002 Hollywood film Unfaithful, directed by Adrian Lyne. Its commercial success and the public attention generated by its bold content prompted the makers to develop further films under the same brand, although each film tells an independent story rather than continuing a single narrative arc.

Films

Murder (2004)

The first film, directed by Anurag Basu, starred Mallika Sherawat, Emraan Hashmi, and Ashmit Patel. Set largely in Bangkok, it followed a married woman who begins an extramarital affair, leading to crime and consequences. The film's music, composed by Anu Malik, became widely popular, particularly the song "Bheege Honth Tere". The film established Emraan Hashmi as a leading star and is often credited with reviving the erotic thriller subgenre in Hindi cinema.

Murder 2 (2011)

Directed by Mohit Suri, Murder 2 starred Emraan Hashmi and Jacqueline Fernandez, with Prashant Narayanan as the antagonist. Unlike the first film, the sequel was a crime thriller centred on a former police officer investigating the disappearances of women in Goa. The film was inspired by the South Korean film The Chaser (2008). It performed strongly at the box office and was certified a commercial success.

Murder 3 (2013)

The third instalment was directed by Vishesh Bhatt, marking his directorial debut. It starred Randeep Hooda, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Sara Loren. The film was an official adaptation of the Spanish-Colombian film The Hidden Face (La cara oculta, 2011). The story revolved around a fashion photographer caught between two women and a series of mysterious events at his isolated home.

Recurring elements

• Production by Vishesh Films and the Bhatt family.
• Themes of infidelity, betrayal, and obsessive relationships.
• A strong emphasis on soundtrack, with chart-topping songs being a signature feature.
• Adaptation or inspiration drawn from international thrillers.
• Bold visual content that has frequently drawn attention from the Central Board of Film Certification.

Music

Music has been a defining commercial element of the franchise. The soundtracks have featured composers and singers associated with the Bhatt camp, including Pritam, Mithoon, Roxen, and Harshit Saxena across the sequels. Songs such as "Bheege Honth Tere", "Aa Bhi Jaa", "Phir Mohabbat", "Haal-e-Dil", and "Hum Jee Lenge" became chart successes and contributed significantly to the films' marketing.

Significance

The Murder franchise is regarded as a notable example of brand-driven film-making in Hindi cinema, where the title itself functions as a marketing identity rather than a continuing story. It played a role in mainstreaming the erotic thriller in Bollywood during the 2000s and helped shape the early career of Emraan Hashmi, who became closely identified with the Bhatt productions of the era. The series also reflects Vishesh Films' broader strategy of remaking or adapting foreign thrillers for Indian audiences.

Related topics

• Vishesh Films
• Mahesh Bhatt
• Mukesh Bhatt
• Emraan Hashmi
• Mohit Suri
• Anurag Basu
• Mallika Sherawat
• Jacqueline Fernandez
• Randeep Hooda
• Hindi cinema

References

• Official film credits and press materials released by Vishesh Films.
• Box office and review coverage in Indian film trade publications.
• Central Board of Film Certification listings for the three films.