Shraddha Kapoor in ‘Stree 2’; Aneet Padda will lead ‘Shakti Shalini’; Varun Dhawan in ‘Bhediya’; A still from ‘Thamma’

First came ‘Stree’ (2018). Then ‘Bhediya’ (2022), ‘Munjya’ (2024), and ‘Thamma’ followed, each film giving us a unique character and its world. Now, it looks like there’s another new entrant in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) — Artificial Intelligence (AI). mid-day has learnt that producer Dinesh Vijan is exploring the possibility of creating a full-fledged AI-driven big-screen spectacle that will be a part of the MHCU.

Sources tell us that the idea is currently in the development stage. “There are exciting titles ‘Bhediya 2’, ‘Stree 3’, ‘Shakti Shalini’ with Aneet Padda, and ‘Chamunda’ with Alia Bhatt. The makers want to integrate an AI film into the slate as well. They have high ambitions with the MHCU, and an AI film feels like a natural fit that will widen the possibilities of what can happen in that universe. Things are, however, in the nascent stage,” reveals a source.

‘Shakti Shalini’ is the immediate film the banner is focusing on. Led by ‘Saiyaara’ star Padda, the horror comedy was officially announced with a teaser attached to MHCU’s latest offering, ‘Thamma’. The project is likely to roll early next year. Another source shares, “Work on the AI film will go on simultaneously. If it lands, it may prove to be path-breaking for Hindi cinema.”

mid-day reached out to Maddock Films, which didn’t respond till press time.

Following a great run in 2024 with commercial success and critical acclaim, Rajkummar Rao believes that powerful stories will always prevail. Last year saw some massive hits and then some unexpected failures. While some Hindi films like Stree 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 enjoyed immense success, a few big-ticket movies didn’t live up to the hype around them. The dawn of a new year brings with it new beginnings, and Rajkummar is optimistic about good stories ruling the roost this year.

The actor, who headlined Stree 2, Mr & Mrs Mahi and Srikanth in 2024, says, “A good film will always find its audience. A story must connect with an audience. When we made the first instalment of Stree in 2018, we didn’t know it would turn out to be such a huge success. We knew we were making a unique film. I don’t know how box office numbers work. Stree 2, again, turned out to be a massive hit. As a cinema lover, I am happy that good stories are working. On paper, the film was about a small-town simpleton and his friends. They are lovable, but stupid. It wasn’t some larger-than-life visual extravaganza, but it struck a chord with the audience. This will give hope to budding filmmakers and make them realise that you need to focus on your writing.”

The actor, who is a big advocate of theatrical viewing, believes that the big-screen experience will never go out of fashion.

He shares, “If I am shooting outside Mumbai, and I have a day’s break, I go to a theatre to watch a film. I try to watch a film a day. If there’s a long break between two shots, I watch a movie at that time. It inspires me. As Indians, we love watching films in theatres. It’s in our DNA. Theatres are our chotu vacation. When TV came in, people said no one would go to cinema halls, but nothing changed. Now OTT is here, but people will continue to go to cinemas.”

Actor Pankaj Tripathi was part of the biggest Bollywood hit this year, Stree 2, but box-office numbers don’t impact him. “It’s great that a film made on such a nominal budget became a blockbuster. Par iss success se aapka dimaag kharab nahin hona chahiye. Ek thehraav rehna chahiye,” he says.

Tripathi insists that since the film was part of a franchise, it helped its performance: “The happiness the audience got after watching the first part played a huge role in bringing them to the theatres for the sequel in the first weekend itself. Otherwise, people wait for the weekend to get over to know the reviews, but with franchise films that isn’t the case.”

Having been a part of franchises that have been both hits and misses, he talks about Bollywood’s obsession with sequels. “To make a franchise, a hit film isn’t all you need. You need a unique film. Sometimes, a film is successful, but not unique. Stree fit in both these spaces.”

This year’s biggest hits were sequels — Stree 2, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again. But overall, Bollywood underwhelmed at the box office. Tripathi equates that to the nature of the audience. “I don’t have an expertise in the business side of films, but I feel audiences are unpredictable. They change their tastes from time to time. Woh trailer dekh kar hi apna mann bana lete hain. Baaki publicity gimmicks aur stunts se kuch nahin hota hai,” the actor ends.

Talking of Stree 2, he shares an interesting anecdote: “During Stree (2018), the producers told me that if the film did well, they’d give me a bonus. That amount was crossed in four days. I didn’t even know when the makers put that same clause in my contract for Stree 2,” he ends.

Director Raaj Shaandilyaa issued an apology to the makers of Stree for the “unauthorized use of character and dialogue” from the franchise without their approval in his film Vicky Vidya ka Woh Wala Video, starring Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri.

In a statement issued on social media, Raaj said, “I, Raaj Shaandilyaa, the director of the film Vicky Vidya ka Woh Wala Video, on behalf of myself and on behalf of Super Cassettes Ind. Pvt. Ltd., Balaji Motion Pictures and Wakaoo Films, the producers of the film, extend our sincere and unconditional apology for the unauthorized use of character and dialogue from Maddock Films’ franchise Stree in our film.”

Shaandilyaa also stated that he regrets any harm caused to the makers of Stree. He added, “We deeply regret any harm caused to Maddock Films and their franchise as a result of this infringement. We are taking immediate steps to rectify the issue and are in the process of removing all infringing content from our film.”

The director continued, “It will be our endeavour to complete this process by Tuesday. We also commit to ensuring that no such unauthorized usage will occur in the future. We further confirm that our film Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video is in no way associated with Maddock Films, their Stree and Stree 2 franchises, or any of the characters therein. Additionally, we make no claim to any intellectual property rights in Stree, Stree 2, or any related characters.”

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Director Raaj Shaandilyaa, who has helmed the Rajkummar Rao-Tripti Dimri-starrer, Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, has issued an apology to the makers of the Stree franchise for adding references from it in his movie without their approval.

He also clarified that the film is not connected to the Stree universe. Prior to Shaandilyaa’s apology, social media users had already pointed out references to the horror franchise in the new release. Controversy started over a scene in Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, where Stree, the ghost character from the Maddock Supernatural Universe makes an appearance.

Shaandilyaa, took to X, with a post that read: “I, Raaj Shaandilyaa, the director of the film Vicky Vidya ka Woh Wala Video, on behalf of myself and on behalf of Super Cassettes Ind. Pvt. Ltd., Balaji Motion Pictures and Wakaoo Films, the producers of the film, extend our sincere and unconditional apology for the unauthorized use of character and dialogue from Maddock Films’ franchise Stree in our film. We deeply regret any harm caused to Maddock Films and their franchise as a result of this infringement.”

He added, “We are taking immediate steps to rectify the issue and are in the process of removing all infringing content from our film wherein we have used character and dialogue from Maddock Films’ Stree at the earliest. It will be our endeavour to complete this process by Tuesday, 15th October 2024, to the full satisfaction of Maddock Films. We also commit to ensuring that no such unauthorized usage will occur in the future.”

On his film not being associated with the Stree franchise, he wrote: “Additionally, we make no claim to any intellectual property rights in Stree, Stree 2, or any related characters.”

In the past week or so, Abhishek Banerjee has become 10 years younger. “That’s what validation does to you,” he smiles. The actor had a stellar week; he was seen as the innocent Janaa in Stree 2 and the cruel local leader Jitender in Vedaa, both films showcasing his range as a performer. He is happiest that they have earned him praise from his father.

“My dad saw both films back-to-back, and was happy that people were hooting at my entry. He never thought I could be an actor, and praise coming from him feels like an achievement. I’m glad he could see this day because we often hear that by the time one delivers a hit, their parents aren’t around to see it,” he reflects.

Banerjee’s fears were not unfounded. The movie industry can be a harsh place, and his journey hasn’t been easy. “Today, the success doesn’t feel delayed at all. I’ve worked hard to be here and enjoyed everything along the way. Also, because I am a casting director, I can assure people that no one ever rejects a good actor. If you’re good, you’ll get [a break]!”

His big break came in Paatal Lok (2020). Before that, he had caught the audience’s attention as Janaa, the lovable friend of Rajkummar Rao’s Vicky, in Stree (2018). Banerjee admits he is emotionally attached to the character.

“He is so innocent and pure that even evil energies are nice to him. Stree let him go [in the first part]. Bhediya is a beast, but is Janaa’s friend. Every time I play him, I feel my soul is cleansed. Janaa is the child version of me. My daak naam [nickname] is Bhola. I trust easily, love a lot, and have faith. Mumbai hasn’t eroded my simplicity. Janaa aligns with who I am. He is the 4 am friend of every superhero in this universe.”

That he is a part of this horror comedy universe with director Amar Kaushik makes it all the more enjoyable. The actor believes there is a lot of Janaa’s simplicity in Kaushik too. “He can give me a look, and I know exactly what he wants. I can read his face. We’re a bit of lovers,” he laughs, remembering how they first bonded.

“I’m the first actor Amar ever directed. He was the second unit director in No One Killed Jessica [2011], and I played a pickpocket. It’s crazy how far we’ve come.”

 

Actor Aparshakti Khurana isn’t bothered by the upcoming box office clash between his film Stree 2, Akshay Kumar’s Khel Khel Mein and John Abraham’s Vedaa on August 15. He sees this as an opportunity for audiences to enjoy three excellent films over the extended Independence Day and Rakhi weekend.

“We (the film fraternity) are in a space right now where we have to root for each other. The current climate of the fraternity is such that I don’t think people will be looking down on each other or trying to pull each other down. Everybody will only be hoping that all three films work,” Khurana tells us, adding, “That is eventually how you grow together as an industry.”

Reflecting on Stree 2’s uniqueness, the 36-year-old highlights the continuity of its production team, sharing, “The reunion of the exact same team from Stree (2018), including the director, actors and ADs, filming in Chanderi (Madhya Pradesh) again, made it truly special.”

Acknowledging the pressure to match the prequel’s success, he admits, “You’re nervously excited after putting in so much effort. The teaser’s positive response reassures us; there’s hopeful anticipation.”

A popular folk story from the interiors of the Konkan coast has made its way to a popular Bollywood horror franchise. Writer Niren Bhatt and director-writer Amar Kaushik, who made Stree 2 and Bhediya, decided to fashion a folklore into a classic horror comedy—a medium they ace. And thus, Munjya came into being. 

In the teaser this week, the makers introduced the first CGI actor of India, named Munjya. 

Bhatt tells us that the story first came into their lives because of Yogesh Chandekar, who brought to the production house, Maddock Films, a legend from his part of the world. “In a man’s life, there are traditionally considered to be four stages: Brahmacharya (student), Grihastha (householder), Vanaprastha (retirement, originally involving leaving the city to live in a forest), and Sannyasa (renunciation). The Upanayan or Thread Ceremony, known as Munja in Marathi, marks the initiation of a child into the student phase. Sod Munja is another ceremony, usually performed as part of marriage rituals, signifying the end of the student phase and the beginning of the Grihastha phase. If a man dies unmarried after his munja has been performed but before his Sod Munja, he becomes a Munjya: A spirit who resides in peepal trees or near wells. The Marathi expression ‘Baaraa pimpla varcha munjya’ refers to someone with a restless spirit, akin to moving from one peepal tree to another,” Bhatt explains.

A practical explanation for this belief is that peepal trees, with their large canopies, release significant amounts of carbon dioxide after dark. The fear of munjya likely discouraged people from sitting under them after sunset. But where’s the mystery and lore in sciences or logic?

Bhatt and Kaushik developed the story over three years, and for research, visited several wadas and orchards around Dapoli and Ganpatipule where Munjas have been ‘tied down’. “Everyone has a munjya story but has never actually met a munjya,” Bhatt explains.

“Kissi ke sarr pe baith gaya; kissi ko pathar se maara. A ceremony is conducted to control the bal rakshas. He is a monster but a child because he died young. He bothers people to fulfill his desires, and usually wants to get married. Munjyas aren’t typically malicious; just juvenile, petty nuisance. They really seem to like pelting stones at those standing underneath trees.”In their story, the munjya somehow breaks free of the peepal tree and wreaks havoc.

At this point, Kaushik who was in a shoot, steps in. We ask whether three years of reading and researching ghosts and spirits plays on their mind.

“Sometimes,” Kaushik says, “during the writing process, we wondered whether munjya visited in our dreams. Our films are made out of our nightmares; whenever we are writing, we are perpetually scared. If someone overhears conversations from the writers’ rooms, they’ll think we’re tantrics. A lot of it we carry home and it does play on our minds because Niren reads some 10 books. We then dissect and go watch YouTube videos on real stories of such incidents. By the end of it we have a mix of bizarre, boring and cinematic. The funny stories however come from the locals, when we go on recce. Most of it is not written anywhere. What we forget is that when it comes to ghosts, everyone has a story and it is not scary in itself but in how it is told. Sometimes at the end of a long writing session, we go through our own material and wonder, What on earth are we writing? But ‘more outrageous, more hilarious’ has worked for us.”

Such haunting folklore from varied sub-cultures is new to mainstream movies. After the success of Kantara last year, there is an increased emphasis on finding tales grandmothers narrated: Of kings and demons, and spiritual connection between humans and spirits.

“If you see the movies we have worked on,” Bhatt says, “they also tell the tale of the milieu. Stree is from Chanderi; there are over 42 archaeological sites in the vicinity. So her legend is born out of that world. The architecture, the heartland tropes all indicate why such a tale would have come about. It is steeped in history. Similarly, Bhediya is from the jungles of North East. Local beliefs and ideas get woven into the film. In Munjya too, there is an attempt to weave in the subculture of the Konkan belt, their fears and beliefs make up the composite of the story we have written. The sea is a big part of the belief system.”

This affinity to tell a story authentically pushed Kaushik to pass the director’s baton to Aditya Sarpotdar, best known for his Marathi horror flick Zombivili. “You can’t make good films if you accept baggage,”

Kaushik says, “There is no pressure to make you laugh. There is no pressure to send a message. We wanted to bring back nani ki kahaniyan. To remain as pure in storytelling. It’s about the story and the characters, the world and in the end, it should be entertaining. Pressure of any kind brings competition, and the minute you compete in any way, you stop being you. You are no longer unique. The beauty of this world and all the horror comedies we tell and want to tell is that they have to be unique. We look for why this legend first appeared and what makes it so popular. Legends tell you everything you have to know about the people and that society. The ghost, spirit, monster, is also a character. We treat it with much empathy: What’s his backstory? Who was he in human form? What was his state of mind when he died? What are his unfulfilled desires?” 

Will Munjya and Stree have an Avengers-like reunion in the near future? “If a film works, it has the legs to be more—a sequel, a spin-off, a multiverse. We didn’t write Munjya as the male equivalent of Stree. We didn’t write Bhediya with the potential to cross wires with Stree either. But it’s a good thing that there are cross connections. The possibilities are endless,” says Kaushik.

A few days ago, social media was buzzing about a picture of Rajkummar Rao, clicked at a recent concert in Mumbai. The actor looked visibly different in the picture and had a much lighter and flawless skin. It instantly sparked ‘plastic surgery’ rumours, with many Instagram doctors pointing out all the cosmetic enhancements that they thought he might have gotten done.

The actor has finally addressed the chatter and said that he hasn’t had any plastic surgery done. He did admit to getting chin fillers many years ago – a fact that is evident to anyone who has seen Rajkummar’s early films. More than his admission, it was his reasoning that struck a chord – “If anyone wants to do that to gain confidence, then why not? There is no harm in it.”

In one video chat, he added, “I want to ask people: Do I look better now?”

“I did not get any plastic surgery, but I did get chin fillers some 8-9 years back. I wanted to look confident and my dermatologist suggested a little filler work to balance out my face. Do I feel more confident after that? Yes. It changes perceptions, acting is a visual medium. But plastic surgery? No. It is too expensive, it’s too time consuming.”

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Rajkummar Rao, gearing up for the release of his latest film Srikanth: Aa Raha Hai Sabki Aankhein Kholne, recently found himself in the midst of an intriguing discussion: Did he undergo plastic surgery?

Speculation about whether Rao had chosen cosmetic enhancements surfaced after a photo of the actor from singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh’s recent concert in Mumbai went viral. However, Rao himself addressed these queries, stating, “It is not plastic surgery!”

Delving deeper into the matter during our conversation, he expresses amusement at the entire debate. “I found the whole thing very funny,” he remarks, adding, “I even saw that particular image. I don’t possess such flawless skin. I have lines; I’m not 21 anymore.”

Reflecting on his early days in the industry, the 39-year-old recounts facing comments about his appearance: “Many people in casting and production would say, ‘You won’t be able to play lead roles; you lack the necessary look’.”

“Around eight to nine years ago”, Rao sought advice from an expert for the first time. “She said: ‘Your face is imbalanced’, and it was true; my chin was slightly recessed. I opted for a minor filler, and I genuinely felt the difference. Suddenly, people began commenting, ‘You seem more confident’. Subsequently, projects like Stree (2018) and Badhaai Do (2022) materialized. I deemed it acceptable. It’s my life and my face. If there’s a medical solution available, why not? If it boosts my confidence, I see no harm. As long as it’s not done excessively and alters your appearance drastically,” Rao explains.

Remember the noughties when Bipasha Basu (Raaz), Urmila Matondkar (Bhoot) and even Amitabh Bachchan (Darna Zaroori Hai) and Ajay Devgn (Bhoot) gave us shivers when they stepped into the world of horror? Over the years, the number of horror films being made in Bollywood has reduced considerably. In 2023 (till October) we have only had a single horror film – 1920: Horrors of Heart released in the theatres, which is alarming.

BT talks to filmmakers to understand why the industry is shying away from making films in a genre that is so popular amongst audiences worldwide.

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt who happens to be the only filmmaker religiously sticking to the genre states, "Horror as a genre has never been considered as mainstream it has been considered as what they say B-grade movies. But it is their inability to see the potential of horror. The genre has its own audience, fear is a potent sensation to sell. Unfortunately I am the only one carrying the baton."

Vikram's latest installment of 1920 was a hit at the box office. He adds, "Horror works without big stars. No mainstream big hero wants to be scared. A lot of times when I cast leading ladies they ask questions whether they would look disfigured, or would have different makeup. Horror is a good genre for anyone’s vanity. Also, horror is not a genre that will re-establish your stardom, Stardom is about larger than life hero; horror is about larger than life villain. Their lies the difference."

Although Vikram mentions that no big actor wants to be scared we have had Vicky Kaushal in Bhoot Part One: The Haunted Ship, Bhoomi Pednekar in Durgamati or even Anushka Sharma in Pari, recently delving in the genre. Ironically all the films turned out to be a bummer at the box office.

The recent horror which was well received by the masses and the critics alike was Sohum Shah-led Tumbbad. However, Sohum himself not a horror fanatic says his movie is not a horror genre. "For me Tumbbad is a folklore," he says.

On why the genre has been diminishing, Sohum explains, "People usually don't consider horror as a good film. Also, the standards of making a horror is quite high as the VFX, makeup everything needs to be of good quality. But I believe horror has a loyal audience. There is demand, we just need one movie that works. I believe the genre is untapped yet and could be a nice territory for makers."

Pavan Kirpalani, known for directing Ragini MMS, Phobia and Darr @The Mall, shares, "The genre has it’s moments, sometimes it does well. But there are not too many takers for the genre. Not too many filmmakers and producers to back it as well. So, it falls in a gray space most times. All it takes is one really good horror movie to bring the market alive again. Right now theatres are back and people want to go back into theatres. Horror is a genre made for that cinematic experience, as it is a communal viewing experience. So I feel it is just around the corner."

While horror movies were missing at the silver screen there were a few that made their way on the digital platforms. Bulbbul, Ghost Stories were a few horror projects on OTT recently that made the buzz in the recent times. Unanimously makers believe that while there is demand for the genre there aren't enough loyal horror fanatics to make a good horror. "I think there’s no larger keen, drive or interest to make them. In this country everyone wants to make a commercial Bollywood movie," Pavan shares. 

Echoing the sentiment, director Anees Bazmee elaborates, "We are capable of making any genres, but one of the major reasons I have stayed away from the horror genre is because the audience gets restricted. Once you make a horror film you are cutting down the kids, who form a major chunk of your target audience. So essentially the movie is not for the larger audience, as it will come be A rates. So, business kam hojaata hai."

In 2022, Anees did step into the genre albeit with a twist. He helmed Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, a horror comedy which minted money at the box office. Pavan believes "horror comedies have revived the horror genre". Interestingly Pavan has recently directed a Horror comedy - Bhoot Police.

"Horror comedies were non existent till Stree came. No one even processed the ideas till 2018 then suddenly Stree came and now everyone wants to do horror comedy because it is a commercial success. I have been only making horror movies. But I have been getting a lot more work because of horror comedies being a lucrative and commercially viable genre. Everyone wants to make one. I see the perks of horror comedy, because as a horror enthusiast it lets you make a good horror film but also make it for a wider audience because you put comedy in it," the Gaslight director explains.

Just in the recent years we have got a plethora of horror comedies making their way on screen with Bhediya, Laxmii, Phone Bhoot, Bhoot Police, Chandramukhi 2. All the movies started a popular mainstream actor. However, not all of them set the cash registers ringing. "Any genre's requirement is for it to be a good film. Putting comedy in horror is not a safe bet. It will work on your conviction," Anees signs off.

Actor Rajkummar Rao seems to be maintaining a fair balance when it comes to doing projects on the web and big screen. However, he discards the idea of films being labelled according to the medium they release on. “It’s sad to see films being categorized under OTT and theatrical tags. Stories are the same no matter where you see them,” shares the actor.

The 39-year-old, who has starred in OTT films such as Chhalaang (2020) and Monica O My Darling (2022), agrees that the digital medium offers a “broader spectrum and wider audience”. And his last theatrical release, Bheed, which got rave reviews on a streaming platform, is a testament to that. “In the end, it’s all about good content and the audience’s reception,” notes the Guns & Gulaabs actor.

Another thing Rao is glad about is the fact that films have finally started to work at the box office and makers can look forward to better days ahead. “As artistes, we should only be concerned about the audience receiving good content, irrespective of where it comes out — OTT or theatres,” says the actor, adding, “I want to commit my time to web shows because it takes [only a few] months to shoot a series now.”

Known for showing variety in his on-screen portrayals without getting typecast, Rao stresses that he is committed to pushing his boundaries. “I don’t want to be put in a bracket. Being an actor, I want to explore everything. I don’t want audiences to have the impression that I can’t do a particular role,” he says.

Rao will next be seen in Stree 2, Sri and Mr And Mrs Mahi. Is there a pressure to have a successful sequel to Stree (2018)? “We don’t want to take the pressure that the sequel should do well or be better than the last. This is the only way we can ensure that the film is not corrupted,” he responds.

The film industry has long been perceived as a dog-eat-dog world. Yet, there are several instances when actors or filmmakers have supported each other. Aparshakti Khurana, who is having his moment in the sun after the success of Jubilee, has a prime example. He remembers how actor-friend Rajkummar Rao, during the shoot of Stree (2018), had made him see his true potential.

He recalls, “On the sets of Stree, Raj and I were talking about how I was only getting comedies back-to-back. He told me, ‘There’s only one man who can change this for you — Vikramaditya Motwane.”

Five years on, Rao’s words have turned prophetic. With Jubilee, Motwane made Khurana step into the role of Binod Das — a seemingly reliable lab assistant who has burning ambitions of his own — thus giving the actor his breakout project. Khurana recounts that he was initially in two minds between the series and three films that were offered to him. It was Rao who nudged him towards the period piece.

“Raj bhai and I were discussing that I would have to dedicate two years to Jubilee, and let go of the three films that were offered to me. Those films may or may not have changed my positioning, but I had to consider various factors. But Raj said, ‘This is it. Forget those three films.’ He looks out for me. I could’ve been sitting with someone else who would’ve said, ‘You should do those films, you’ll earn far more. Those are movies, this is OTT!’ There were people who said that.” He adds that after the show’s screening, he received a long, warm hug from Rao.

Khurana says his colleagues’ goodness has continued in the form of appreciation after the series — also starring Prosenjit Chatterjee, Aditi Rao Hydari and Sidhant Gupta — dropped online. “[Recently], I got a message from Ranveer Singh that read, ‘Aparshakti be******d!’ Today, abuses are feeling nice. As a host, I’ve always got love from the seniors in the industry. But to get their encouragement in a space like this means a lot to me.”

The spotlight is perhaps the best vantage point from where one can look back at how far s/he has come. Aparshakti Khurana would agree. Over the weekend, the actor became the toast of the town for his internalised performance in Jubilee. Set in the Hindi film industry of the late ’40s and early ’50s, Vikramaditya Motwane’s series sees Khurana play Binod Das, a sincere lab assistant who goes on to become a movie star.

The actor says he identified with Das’s graph as he too had humble beginnings. “I joined a music channel as a stylist, and worked there as one till I got the job as an anchor. In that office, never before had a stylist become an anchor. When I used to style the show’s hosts, who may or may not have been talented, clean their shoes, or tie their shoelaces, I approached it with the same sincerity as I did anchoring,” he recounts.

There is another evident parallel between the actor and his character in the Amazon Prime Video offering, also starring Prosenjit Chatterjee, Aditi Rao Hydari and Sidhant Gupta. Khurana’s work in Jubilee has left people as shocked as Das’s rise to stardom does on the show. Until now, the actor was known for his comic turns.

“I’m not looking to shock people. That feeling comes when you have been bitter in life, and you think, ‘Now, I’ll show people what I am capable of.’ I was rather grateful that I was working with good people, doing films like Stree [2018] and Dangal [2016]. I never felt like proving a point to anyone. I’d like to believe that good things happened to me because I was never bitter about things. I want to pleasantly surprise people with my work.”

One has to credit Motwane for casting him in a role that no one would’ve expected him to ace. Khurana says, “Despite making films with stars like Anil Kapoor, Ranveer Singh and Rajkummar Rao, he treats everybody equal on set. No one else does so. Only two [filmmakers] treat everybody on merit, from a spot boy to an actor — Nitesh Tiwari and Vikram sir.”

The ’90s heartbreak song, 'Achha Sila Diya', has got an update in 2023, with Rajkummar Rao and Nora Fatehi featuring in the music video. Fatehi, who earlier shared screen space with Rao in Stree’s (2018) song 'Kamariya', enjoyed reuniting with the actor for the single.

“I love music videos [that offer] both acting and dancing [opportunities]. Actors should be able to do both. It would have surprised me if Raj didn’t know how to dance. There is a charismatic side to him when he dances,” she says of her co-star.

In her eight-year run so far, Fatehi has established herself as one of the most popular dancers in showbiz. But it hasn’t been easy. She says she had to face several judgments attached to dance performers.

“I had to face [preconceived] notions [about dancers], but it’s all a part of the journey. I always see myself as a performer, not only a dancer. I just have to prove myself.” She adds that dance is such an integral part of being a performer that actors too are criticized if they have two left feet.

For Fatehi, dance numbers are the first step to becoming a multi-faceted artiste. While she has tried her hand at acting with supporting roles in 'Batla House' (2019) and 'Bhuj: The Pride of India' (2021), she also went behind the mic for 'Dirty Little Secret'. Her next stop: producing her own music. “Proving myself requires innovating. So if I am featuring in music videos for a few years, after that, I should start singing and producing my own songs. I should work towards bagging acting parts. I still give auditions, and I don’t mind that as long as I reach my goal.”

If 2022 has been a year of introspection for Varun Dhawan, he is approaching the coming year with only one thing in mind: action. The actor will open the year with Bawaal, which gave him the opportunity to collaborate with Nitesh Tiwari — a director who had long been on his wish-list. Working with the filmmaker was everything he had hoped for.

“I am excited about Bawaal. Ajju bhaiyya is a character I loved playing. The film will be a fun ride,” he says of the love story that also features Janhvi Kapoor.

Besides Bawaal, the actor has the Indian version of Citadel, helmed by Raj-DK, in the pipeline. Rumours also suggest that he will team up with director Anees Bazmee for an action comedy. “Anees sir and I will work together at some point; it’s only a matter of when. But right now, there’s nothing [on the cards]. He is making another film.”

While Bazmee is certainly on his wish-list, some more directors have piqued his interest with their distinct voices. “There are so many directors I want to work with — from Lokesh Kanagaraj, to Atlee. I would also love to reunite with Shashank Khaitan and Amar Kaushik.”

Chances of Dhawan reuniting with Bhediya director Kaushik are high. Fans are speculating that the actor will be seen in a cameo in the director’s next, Stree 2, after Stree’s leading man Rajkummar Rao made an appearance in Dhawan’s monster comedy.

“Dinesh Vijan [producer] and Amar are keen to revisit the Bhediya character. You saw Stree’s characters [make an appearance] in Bhediya, and now, [it will be vice versa].”

The evolution of a ‘shared universe’ — which primarily consists of a franchise featuring an umbrella of multiple movies, each telling its own stand-alone story focusing on a different character (or group of characters) and set within the same continuity — appears to be the direction the film industry is headed. And like the West, which regularly releases blockbusters through the Star Wars, Marvel and DC universes, Bollywood also appears to have adapted to the trend.

Take, for instance, Singham (played by Ajay Devgn), Sooryavanshi (Akshay Kumar), and Simmba (Ranveer Singh), who assembled to fight the baddies in Rohit Shetty’s film Sooryavanshi. In fact, the filmmaker has even announced the fourth instalment in this ‘copverse’, Singham Again, which has a new addition: Deepika Padukone, his first female cop!

Another instance of this trend infiltrating Bollywood can be seen in the works of producer Dinesh Vijan, who has already begun creating the characters for his horror-comedy universe. The latest release, Bhediya, starring Varun Dhawan, included a special cameo by actors Rajkummar Rao and Aparshakti Khurana (from the cast of Stree, 2018).

Hardik Mehta, who helmed Roohi (2021), also by Vijan, tells us, “A good film [regardless of universe or franchise] will last longer. I was pleasantly surprised by Bhediya’s end, though. What I liked about it was that the main story was not dependent on Stree.”

Hussain Dalal, the writer of films such as Mere Pyaare Prime Minister and the upcoming Shehzaada, says, “This universe is a format that guarantees success. It’s an intelligent thing that the West taught us.”

Dalal also wrote the dialogue for Brahmastra (part of Astraverse), which was a big hit and audiences will see the plot unfold in its pre-declared trilogy. From a producer’s perspective, too, exploring this seems to be a lucrative option, as Anand Pandit notes: “I think it’s very interesting. As a producer, you can stick to your genre and create loyal viewers. This universe concept will absolutely work. And if the content is good, that will be an add-on.”

However, trade expert Atul Mohan says the Hindi film industry “always copies the trends in the West”. “The problem with us could be that unlike Hollywood, where they work on it (franchises) properly, here they look at franchises as a gimmick,” he adds.

Is the sequel going on floors soon? That has been a constant query of cinephiles over the past four years since Stree (2018) became a sleeper hit at the box office. In some ways, the Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor-starrer brought the genre of horror comedy to the fore in Hindi cinema, and amassed a loyal fan following. While reports of Stree 2 being in development have been doing the rounds since last year, mid-day has learnt that director Amar Kaushik will take the second instalment on floors in March 2023.

Kaushik, who had been busy with Bhediya over the past few months, is now giving his undivided attention to the Rao-starrer. The unit has begun pre-production for the film that will roll in Delhi. “While Stree was shot extensively in Chanderi and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, this time around, the narrative moves to Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. The film will be shot in four cities, beginning with Delhi and the outskirts. The team will then move to Uttar Pradesh for an extensive month-long schedule. The final draft of the script is ready, and Amar is currently locking the three cities that will serve as the backdrop,” reveals a source.

Hailed for its themes of gender role reversal and feminism, Stree revolved around a witch who is believed to abduct men at night. Rao’s Vicky and his friends — essayed by Aparshakti Khurana and Abhishek Banerjee — set out to find the truth behind the legend after they suspect a mysterious woman, played by Kapoor, of being the witch. While the quartet will reprise their roles in the sequel, Pankaj Tripathi is likely to give it a miss. But there is said to be an addition to the cast.

The source adds, “Varun Dhawan will make a special appearance. Amar and the writers have woven in his character from Bhediya, thus bringing together the universes of the two distinct horror comedies.”

Producer Dinesh Vijan has often stated how he is building his own on-screen universe of horror comedies that delivers on the laughs while tackling different themes. Varun Dhawan-led Bhediya is the latest step in that direction. The film may have had moderate success at the box office, but has been praised for shedding light on the subject of environmental conservation. So, will we see a sequel to the werewolf comedy?

Writer Niren Bhatt confirms that the second instalment to the movie, also starring Kriti Sanon and Abhishek Banerjee, is underway. “We would like to make a sequel, 100 per cent. In fact, we have deliberately kept several threads open,” says the writer. 

Bhatt adds that director Amar Kaushik and he consciously designed Bhediya as “the origin story of the superhero”. The monster comedy revolves around Dhawan’s Bhaskar who, after being attacked by a werewolf in Arunachal Pradesh, turns into a shape-shifting beast. With the film’s climax introducing Rajkummar Rao and Aparshakti Khurana’s characters from Stree (2018), Bhatt admits that a crossover is in the offing.

“[The story of Bhediya] has a connection with Stree, as we have already seen. We are trying to merge both the films, and make this into a universe [of horror comedies].”