Mumbai, Nov 29 (IANS): Director Vikram Bhatt's last film "Haunted" bombed at the box office and now he is back with "Lanka". Manoj Bajpayee, who plays the role of Raavan in it, says it is the best story of the year and people must watch it.

"It is inspired from Raavan but we have given it a new angle. Even if I don't take the names of Raavan and Vibhishan and you watch the film, you will not think about them. We have moulded the characters into modern times," Manoj said in an interview.

"Lanka" releases Dec 9 and the 42-year-old says it is a must watch.

"I would like to tell the audience that if you want to watch the best story of the year, then do watch 'Lanka'. This Lanka won't get burnt, and if you watch it, it will spread the fire," said Manoj while promoting the film which also features Arjan Bajwa as Vibishan.

Manoj was last seen in Prakash Jha's "Aarakshan" and was applauded for his performances in "Satya", "Shool", "Zubeidaa", "Aks", "Pinjar" and "Rajneeti". He is currently working on "Chittagong" and "Gangs of Wasseypur" while his "The Whisperers", which went on the floors in 2005, is ready but still awaiting release.