A new flavor of horror and humor is about to hit the Bollywood screens as acclaimed actor Ayushmann Khurrana, fresh from his success with Dream Girl 2 (2023), is reportedly in talks to dive into a horror comedy project with none other than Anees Bazmee, the director who created ripples with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022). The potential collaboration, which has been the subject of speculation since late 2022, is seemingly coming to fruition as insiders reveal the project under discussion is aptly titled “Bhootiyapa”.
According to sources close to the development, Ayushmann and Anees have shown keen interest in joining forces for this up-and-coming genre blend, balancing thrills with hearty laughs. “Ayushmann and Anees are in discussion for a horror comedy titled Bhootiyapa. Other details are being worked out right now,” a source revealed, highlighting the ongoing talks.
However, scheduling the production could present challenges due to the busy agendas of both the actor and the director. Anees Bazmee is currently in the midst of shooting Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, a much-anticipated sequel starring an ensemble cast featuring Kartik Aaryan, Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, and Triptii Dimri. Following this, the filmmaker has plans to helm the camera for the sequel to the hit movie No Entry, expected to star actors Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor, and Diljit Dosanjh and to commence by the year-end.
Ayushmann Khurrana, on the other hand, is gearing up for a role that requires sinking his teeth into the life story of Sourav Ganguly, the iconic cricketer, in a high-profile biopic. With such a packed schedule, coordinating dates for the horror-comedy is certainly a tricky endeavor. Despite these logistical puzzles, the excitement for what could be a rollicking ‘laugh riot’ is palpable.
The concept of melding horror and comedy is not new to Bollywood, with previous ventures such as ‘Stree’ and the Bhool Bhulaiyaa series striking gold at the box office, indicating the audience’s appetite for this hybrid genre. What makes this potential collaboration tantalizing is the combination of Ayushmann’s knack for choosing unconventional scripts with a social message and Anees Bazmee’s deft touch in creating mass entertainers.
Bhootiyapa promises to bring together the earthy charm and comic timing of Ayushmann with Bazmee’s directorial acumen in crafting sequences that play with the supernatural, all while ensuring the gags keep coming. This partnership has all the ingredients to make for a successful film that could redefine what Bollywood horror comedies look like, adding a fresher perspective and, possibly, a new series to look forward to.
Fans of Ayushmann Khurrana have enjoyed his transformations across genres—from the thought-provoking Article 15 to the romantic comedy Bareilly Ki Barfi, down to his groundbreaking debut in Vicky Donor. Pairing him with Anees Bazmee, a veteran known for his blockbusters like Welcome and Singh is King, aims to create a synthesis that could craft cinema’s next cult favorite.
While the buzz is building around Bhootiyapa, both Ayushmann and Anees Bazmee’s representatives and production houses remain tight-lipped, neither confirming nor denying these reports. The industry waits with bated breath for the official announcements, hoping for a confirmation that will set things in motion.
In a landscape filled with sequels and formulaic content, Bhootiyapa has the opportunity to break the mold and offer a unique mix of chills and chuckles, provided the stars align—quite literally in terms of the actor and director’s demanding calendars. Until then, the speculations, hopes, and anticipation continue to grow, as the promise of a new brand of entertainment looms on the horizon.
