Karan Razdan's last film "Souten - The Other Woman" was a box-office dud, and the director is already ready with his next, "Eight Shani", a spooky thriller about ghosts and the like that releases Friday.

The film is centred on Raj, a spiritualist, who lives with his family in Britain. He can see souls and spirits with his compass that informs him about ghostly activities.

His elder brother Suraj thinks of him as a good for nothing guy, but Raj's 'bhabhi' Radha is sympathetic towards him.

One night, ghostly activities begin in the house. Though Raj tries to fight them, it leads to a lot of destruction infuriating Suraj.

Suraj, who is completely ignorant about Raj's links with ghosts, refuses to endure such nonsense and throws him out of the house.

His friend Sadhvi comes to his rescue and the two do some 'tantrik' pooja. The result appears on Sadhvi's back - a figure of 'eight' written in blood. Sadhvi interprets that whatever is happening in Raj's house is nothing but the wrath of Shani (Saturn).

On the other hand, the ghost continues to attack Suraj's house and he is forced to take Raj's help. Raj suggests they should leave the house and move to a farmhouse in the countryside.

But it doesn't help because 'Shani' follows them there too.

Why is Shani upset? What mysteries lie in the past of the family? The climax unfurls all the answers.

The film is the launch vehicle of Vastavikta, daughter of legendary Hindi film actor Raj Kumar, who plays the female lead in the film.

It also stars Meghna Naidu, Gulshan Grover, Raju Kher and Ashwini Chopra.

Of late, Bollywood has produced quite a few spooky thrillers, including Karan Johar's "Kaal", Ram Gopal Varma's "Bhoot" and "Vaastu Shastra".

Except "Bhoot", starring Urmila Matondkar and Ajay Devgan, most of them have flopped miserably.

Razdan, who badly needs a hit, is banking upon this film to bail him out.