Karan Johar’s banner, Dharma Productions, is gradually branching out into the horror and fantasy space. Lined up for next year are a fantasy comedy called ‘Naagzilla’ and ‘Odiyan: The Age of Illusion’, a period folk thriller in Malayalam, along with two horror projects, one featuring Aditya Roy Kapur. All these films are scheduled to release in theatres next year.
Rajkummar Rao and Pratibha Ranta to headline ‘Vishkanya ’
Adding yet another title to its expanding genre slate, Dharma Productions has greenlit a new fantasy horror film. According to Bollywood Hungama, Rajkummar Rao and ‘Laapataa Ladies’ star Pratibha Ranta will headline ‘Vishkanya’, which is an ambitious project that merges a sweeping magical fantasy world with strands of dread and existential terror.
Rajkummar Rao’s ‘Vishkanya’ to explore a mythic universe
While specifics of the storyline remain under wraps, insiders suggest the film is designed to unveil a mythic realm unlike anything Hindi cinema has recently offered. Rather than leaning on familiar horror conventions, it is expected to construct its narrative around a fantastical universe governed by its own distinct rules and supernatural forces.The project will be directed by Sonal Joshi, who made her directing debut in 2023 with the Shilpa Shetty comedy-drama ‘Sukhee’. Earlier in her career, she assisted Vijay Krishna Acharya on ‘Dhoom 3’ and Imtiaz Ali on both ‘Tamasha’ and ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’, in addition to working on Emraan Hashmi’s Netflix series ‘Bard of Blood’. Filming is likely to begin before the year ends.
Rajkummar Rao and Pratibha Ranta reunite with Dharma Productions
Pratibha Ranta, who made her Bollywood debut with Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’, will play the lead in ‘Vishkanya’, taking on the titular role. The film marks her second stint with Dharma Productions, following “Accused,” a psychological thriller co-starring Konkona Sen Sharma that premiered on Netflix in February. It’s also a second collaboration for Rajkummar Rao with the banner, having earlier appeared opposite Janhvi Kapoor in Sharan Sharma’s ‘Mr. & Mrs. Mahi’ (2024).
