Yash Raj Films to enter horror genre with Varun Dhawan-starrer, Rocket Boys' Abhay Pannu to direct YRF's first horror
Here's the latest update from the Bollywood world:
As the horror genre takes off in Indian cinema, Yash Raj Films , one of the biggest and oldest production houses in India, is as per reports making a foray into it as well. According to sources, the movie stars Varun Dhawan , who has previously dabbled in horror with the Maddock horror-comedy, Bhediya.
Adding to this, Varun Dhawan will headline Yash Raj Films' first horror movie. About Yash Raj Films' first horror movie A source close to the project says, “Varun has come on board as the lead for YRF’s first horror movie. Yash Raj Films (YRF) is entering the horror genre for the first time.” This is the star's first collaboration with YRF since the 2018 slice-of-life drama Sui Dhaaga, which also starred Anushka Sharma.
Meanwhile, The movie is being backed by YRF CEO Akshaye Widhani, who produced the production house's biggest recent success - Saiyaara. Directing the project will be Abhay Pannu, best known for SonyLIV's acclaimed web series Rocket Boys. Pannu has also written the screenplay. The project is scheduled to go on floors later this year. The movie marks Abhay Pannu's theatrical directorial debut after earning acclaim for Rocket Boys.
Notably, “YRF have made films across almost every genre except horror. Come 2027, and the banner will finally step into this genre,” the source adds, indicating that the movie is targeting a 2027 rollout. Further details, including the movie's title and the rest of the star cast, have not yet been revealed.
As per the latest buzz, Yash Raj Films, founded by the late Yash Chopra, made a name for itself with acclaimed dramas such as Kabhi Kabhie, Kaala Patthar, Silsila, and Mashaal in the 1970s and 80s. After Aditya Chopra, Yash's son, joined the company, YRF pivoted toward romance, producing blockbusters like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai, and Mohabbatein. With Dhoom in 2004, Yash Raj debuted in the action genre, a move they carried forward with their successful YRF Spy Universe, a franchise of interconnected spy thrillers that grossed over ₹ 3000 crore rupees worldwide.
In further updates, After a disappointing 2024 that saw his actioner Baby John crash at the ticket-window, Varun Dhawan has seen some recovery in the last two years. In 2025, his romantic comedy Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari was a moderate success. This year, he starred in Border 2 , a war drama that grossed over ₹ 470 crore rupees worldwide. His last rollout, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, was also able to break even despite negative reviews.
On top of that, Abhimanyu Mathur is Deputy Editor, Entertainment at Hindustan Times. With almost 15 years of experience in writing about everything from films and TV shows to cricket matches and elections, he inhales and exhales pop culture and news. Currently, he watches movies and TV shows and talks to celebrities for a living, while occasionally writing about them as well. A journalism graduate of Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, Delhi University, Abhimanyu began his career with Hindustan Times at the age of 20, swapping classrooms for newsrooms at an early age. He began his journey in the early days of digital journalism, later switching to the madness of print journalism. Work has led him to far off places like Japan and Jordan, as well as to the interiors of Haryana and the Indo-Pak border. He dabbled in city reporting in places like Meerut, Gurgaon, and Delhi, covered the Olympics and Cricket World Cups, before finding his calling in entertainment and lifestyle during the pandemic. A Rotten Tomatoes Certified Movie Critic, he is equally at home covering stories on ground as he is interviewing celebrities and studios, and sometimes prefers to shepherd teams in delivering traffic through the day. Even as his role has evolved from reporter to supervisor over the years, his first love remains writing (and of late, talking on camera). With a good understanding of cinema and its trends, and a keen eye for detail, he continues to spark conversations around showbiz for readers around the world. Read More
Source: Hindustan Times