Yash Raj Films (YRF) is venturing into the horror genre for the first time, with Varun Dhawan set to star as the lead. The film will be directed by Abhay Pannu,who gained recognition for the acclaimed series Rocket Boys. This collaboration marks Dhawan's second project with YRF,following his role in Sui Dhaaga.
For over fifty years,YRF has produced films across a wide array of genres,including romance,action,and comedy. However,horror has remained an unexplored territory for studio until now. With this new project, YRF aims to tap into the growing interest in horror films within the Indian film industry .
Abhay Pannu,who is making his feature film directorial debut with this project, has also written screenplay . His previous work on Rocket Boys has garnered critical acclaim, setting high expectations for this new venture. YRF's CEO, Akshaye Widhani,has played a pivotal role in bringing this project to fruition, emphasizing studio's commitment to diversifying its portfolio.
Production for the untitled horror film is expected to commence later this year,with a tentative release date set for 2027 . This timeline suggests that YRF is taking a careful approach to ensure the film meets audience expectations.
Varun Dhawan is no stranger to the horror genre,having previously starred in Bhediya,a horror-comedy released in 2022. In that film, he portrayed a character who transforms into werewolf after a fateful encounter in the forests of Arunachal Pradesh. Although Bhediya did not achieve blockbuster status,Dhawan's character has since gained a following,appearing in subsequent films within the same universe.
His role as Bhaskar Sharma in Munjya, a sleeper hit featuring Sharvari and Abhay Verma,further solidified his presence in the horror-comedy genre. Additionally, he made appearance in Stree 2, alongside Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, which was well-received by audiences . Most recently, he was seen in a comedic showdown against Ayushmann Khurrana in Thamma.
The expanding horror-comedy universe that includes Dhawan's characters is set to grow, with a sequel to Bhediya already in the works. Dhawan is expected to reprise his role, further intertwining his filmography with this emerging genre.
In 2026, Varun Dhawan has had a mixed bag of releases. His first film of the year, Border 2,was a commercial success, grossing over ₹300 crore in India. This war-drama featured notable actors such as Sunny Deol,Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty. However,his second release,Hai Jawaani Toh Ishq Hona Hai,directed by his father, David Dhawan,did not perform well at the box office, marking disappointing turn for the actor.
As YRF prepares to make its mark in the horror genre,the collaboration with Varun Dhawan and Abhay Pannu is generating considerable anticipation. The film's unique premise and Dhawan's established popularity in the horror-comedy space could pave way for successful entry into a genre that has seen a resurgence in recent years.
