"Yes, there was huge market demand for Vikram to take forward the Haunted series and make them all in 3D. Of course he can't be the director for each of them as he is pre-occupied with other films as well. However, he doesn't want to drop the idea and hence 'Haunted 2' is definitely on, though the director could turn out to be someone else", informs a source.

A surprise success of the year gone by, 'Haunted' had also paved the way for quite a few 3D films to come. However, it's strength lies in the fact that while it is the only film to have been actually shot in 3D (the other being Vikram's own 'Dangerous Ishq' which is about to be released soon), other biggies like 'RA.One' and 'Don 2' were converted from 2D to 3D.

"It is time to build on franchises and when everyone else is doing that, why not Vikram", says a close aide of the filmmaker, " 'Haunted' was one of the first clean hits of last year and while it had reinstated life in Mahakshay's Bollywood career, it had also launched newbie Tia Bajpai. Made at a controlled budget, the film had done a business of over Rs.30 crores just from India and collected more than what some of the major multistarrers have done in the recent times, case in point being Players or Rascals. It was just logical that Vikram too builds a franchise out of 'Haunted'."

It is unclear though whether Mahakshay and Tia would be repeated for 'Haunted 2' since it is a franchise (like 'Raaz', 'Jannat', 'Housefull', 'Jism') instead of being a sequel (like 'Krrish'). While Vikram is open to roping in an all new star cast, ASA Productions and Dar Motion Pictures would be coming together again (after Haunted) to produce the film. Also, there are indications around Reliance tying up with the franchise as well.