Mumbai: Kriti Sanon is reportedly set to headline an upcoming horror film backed by Maddock Films, marking a new genre exploration for the actress. According to a source quoted in media reports, Sanon has finalised the project following her recent appearances in Cocktail 2 and Tere Ishk Mein.
The film is said to be an out-and-out horror project, distinct from Maddock Films’ popular horror-comedy franchise and its earlier supernatural offerings. If confirmed, the project will reportedly mark the ninth collaboration between Sanon and the production house.
The makers have not officially announced the film. Its title, director, supporting cast, storyline and release timeline remain under wraps.
Kriti Sanon to explore pure horror
Sanon has reportedly been keen to experiment with different genres, and the upcoming project is expected to give her an opportunity to take on a full-fledged horror story as the lead.
A source close to the development told Bollywood Hungama that the actress had finalised her next project after receiving praise for her performances in Cocktail 2 and Tere Ishk Mein.
The source said the film would be a large-scale production and would see Sanon lead a story rooted in traditional horror rather than the comedy-driven approach associated with Maddock Films’ existing horror universe.
The distinction is notable because the production house has built a successful franchise around films combining supernatural themes with humour. Its upcoming project with Sanon is reportedly intended to explore a different creative direction, focusing on horror as its primary genre.
However, details about the film’s narrative, supernatural elements or whether it will feature psychological horror remain unknown. Until the production house makes an official announcement, the reported plans should be treated as unconfirmed.
Ninth collaboration with Maddock Films
The reported horror project would add to Sanon’s longstanding association with Maddock Films. The actress has worked with the production house on several films, including Raabta, Luka Chuppi, Mimi, Bhediya and Crew.
Her collaborations with Maddock have covered different genres, from romantic comedy and drama to supernatural entertainment. The new project would reportedly continue that association while placing her in a more traditional horror setting.
Sanon’s reported return to a lead role in a Maddock production is also significant because of her experience with the banner on Mimi. In that film, she played a young woman who agrees to become a surrogate mother for a foreign couple, before her circumstances take an unexpected turn.
Her performance in Mimi earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress, which she shared with Alia Bhatt for Gangubai Kathiawadi. The recognition established an important milestone in Sanon’s career and demonstrated her ability to take on emotionally demanding roles.
The upcoming horror film could offer another opportunity for the actress to explore a different performance style, particularly if the story relies on suspense, fear and psychological tension rather than humour or conventional commercial elements.
A different direction for Maddock Films
Maddock Films has become widely associated with its horror-comedy universe, which combines Indian folklore and supernatural characters with comic storytelling. The franchise has helped the production house establish a recognisable identity in the Hindi film industry.
The reported project with Sanon is expected to move away from that established formula. According to the source cited in media reports, the makers are planning a large-scale production that will explore horror without the usual horror-comedy blend.
Such a shift would allow the production house to test a different approach within the broader horror genre. Traditional horror relies more heavily on atmosphere, suspense, unsettling situations and fear, although the precise creative treatment of Sanon’s film has not been disclosed.
The reported scale of the production also suggests that the project is being planned as a significant addition to the banner’s upcoming slate. Nevertheless, no budget, production schedule or filming location has been officially revealed.
The film’s director and creative team will be important in determining how the project differs from Maddock’s previous supernatural films. Those details are yet to be announced.
What’s next for Kriti Sanon?
Sanon has continued to take on projects across different genres, building a filmography that includes romantic comedies, dramas and supernatural films. Her reported decision to headline a pure horror movie would represent another step in that effort to explore varied roles.
The project also reflects the continuing interest in horror within Hindi cinema, where filmmakers have experimented with supernatural stories, folklore-inspired narratives and horror-comedy formats.
For now, the reported collaboration remains at the announcement stage, with no official confirmation from Sanon or Maddock Films. More information about the film’s title, director, cast and release date is expected once the makers formally unveil the project.
If the reports are confirmed, the film will reunite Sanon with a production house that has played a notable role in several stages of her career while giving her a new genre to explore.