Vishwak Sen Reveals How ‘Project X’ Inspired ‘Cult’: Inside the Making of His Ambitious Survival Thriller
Vishwak Sen Reveals How ‘Project X’ Inspired ‘Cult’: Inside the Making of His Ambitious Survival Thriller
Vishwak Sen’s upcoming film Cult is taking shape as an unconventional Telugu thriller, with the actor-filmmaker drawing inspiration from international cinema, survival stories and disturbing real-life experiences. In a recent conversation, Vishwak opened up about how the Hollywood film Project X influenced his creative vision, the difficulties he faced while developing the screenplay, and the challenges of handling a large ensemble cast.
With Cult, Vishwak aims to create an intense cinematic experience that goes beyond conventional action storytelling. His approach combines the chaos of a party thriller with the tension of a survival drama, offering audiences a glimpse into a world where privilege, arrogance and fear collide.
How ‘Project X’ Sparked the Idea for ‘Cult’
Vishwak Sen identified Project X as one of his favourite films and an important influence on the initial concept behind Cult. The Hollywood film revolves around a party that spirals out of control, turning an ordinary gathering into a chaotic sequence of events.
That central idea caught Vishwak’s attention. He wanted to explore a similar concept within an Indian setting, eventually developing the foundation for a thriller built around an increasingly dangerous situation.
Interestingly, the filmmaker explained that he had been working on the idea before the Korean survival series Squid Game became a worldwide phenomenon. Its later success gave him additional confidence that audiences could embrace unusual premises and stories that place characters in extreme circumstances.
The connection between these influences does not necessarily mean that Cult will reproduce the plots of either title. Instead, they provide a useful starting point for understanding Vishwak’s creative direction: an unpredictable environment, characters under pressure and situations in which the consequences of individual decisions can become severe.
A Two-Year Struggle to Complete the Second Half
One of the most revealing aspects of Vishwak’s discussion was his account of the screenplay development process. According to the filmmaker, he struggled to find the right direction for the second half of Cult for nearly two years.
Completing a screenplay can be particularly difficult when a film depends on escalating tension. An intriguing opening may establish the characters and the central conflict, but the later portions must deepen the stakes while delivering a satisfying progression.
Vishwak eventually found a breakthrough after a friend returned from Vietnam and shared an incident that made a strong impression on him. The experience gave the filmmaker a fresh perspective on the story, helping him identify the missing element.
He said the breakthrough was so significant that he completed the second half overnight.
The account highlights how filmmaking does not always follow a predictable creative schedule. A writer may spend months or years struggling with a narrative problem before a conversation, observation or real-world experience provides the solution. In Vishwak’s case, that moment appears to have helped bring the film’s central ideas together.
Privilege and Survival Form the Story’s Central Conflict
Vishwak also offered insight into the kind of characters and social dynamics audiences can expect from Cult. The film explores what happens when privileged young people who consider themselves superior to others find themselves trapped in a terrifying situation.
This premise creates opportunities to examine how people behave when their usual advantages no longer protect them. Wealth, social standing and confidence may influence everyday relationships, but a survival crisis can expose weaknesses that remain hidden under normal circumstances.
For a thriller, this contrast can be more compelling than danger alone. The audience is not simply watching characters attempt to escape a threatening environment; it can also observe how their attitudes, relationships and decisions change as pressure increases.
Vishwak's explanation suggests that the film's dramatic ambitions extend beyond staging violent sequences. The characters' reactions to fear and uncertainty are intended to be an important part of the viewing experience.
However, the precise development of these themes and their effectiveness will ultimately depend on how they are presented in the finished film.
Why Vishwak Sen Is Drawn to Slasher Films
The actor-filmmaker also spoke about his interest in slasher films and intense on-screen violence. He mentioned Project X and This Is the End among his favourites, offering a glimpse into the kind of cinema that interests him.
Vishwak described an unusual personal response to watching extreme violence on screen, explaining that it could sometimes make him feel better about his own physical pain. He also indicated that he wants viewers to experience the suffering of the characters in Cult, rather than merely observe their circumstances from a distance.
This distinction is important when considering the film's intended tone. Horror and survival thrillers can create suspense through anticipation, atmosphere and character reactions, while graphic violence can make danger feel immediate and unsettling.
Yet the presence of intense scenes alone does not guarantee a memorable thriller. Strong characterisation, effective pacing and a convincing narrative are equally important in keeping audiences invested.
For Cult, the challenge will be to ensure that its violent elements serve the story instead of overwhelming it.
