Horror seems to be Ram Gopal Varma's chosen genre for now. "I'm launching a new film called 'Chudail'," tells Varma.

Although "Darna Mana Hai" didn't work, he nevertheless launched a sequel, "Darna Zaroori Hai", with Amitabh Bachchan in one of the episodes.

With "Bhoot" making more money than any Varma film since "Rangeela", and "Vastu Shastra" being successful, he is even more enthused about the horror genre.

"Chudail" sounds like a blood-curdling z-grade horror film from the Ramsay brothers!

"It will certainly be a full-on horror film, though hopefully not z-grade," says Varma. "I don't see why the title appals you. The minute I heard it I fell in love with it. We've already registered the title, and will soon start filming."

The cast and crew are yet to be decided. But Varma is sure about one thing. "It will be an even more no-holds-barred horror film than 'Bhoot' and 'Vastu Shastra'.

"I'm fascinated by any genre that offers me a chance to experiment. If on one hand I'm taken up with a film on dance as the metaphor of life ('Naach') I'm also taken up with the Indian audience's fascination with the supernatural. The minute you say 'Bhoot' or 'Chudail' you get their attention. Why?"

Why, indeed! Laughs Ramu: "I never said I was a serious and intelligent filmmaker. I want to have a ball. And I want audiences to have a ball. I know we'll both have fun in 'Chudail'."

And never mind if the nation's conscience-keepers are going to accuse Varma of pandering to the basest instincts.

"Oh I love going there. I enjoy exploring basic instincts. A filmmaker can't get any more basic than me," he says.