Our Bureau
Mumbai
Actor Varun Dhawan is set to headline Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) first-ever horror feature, marking a significant milestone for the production house as it ventures into the genre for the first time in its over five-decade history. The yet-untitled film will be directed by Rocket Boys creator Abhay Pannu and is slated for a theatrical release in 2027. Production is expected to commence later this year.
The project reunites Dhawan with YRF after their 2018 collaboration Sui Dhaaga and also marks Pannu’s theatrical directorial debut. Known for his acclaimed work on the SonyLIV series Rocket Boys, Pannu has reportedly also developed the screenplay for the horror film, making it one of the studio’s most ambitious genre shifts in recent years.
Industry reports suggest the film is part of a broader creative expansion at YRF under producer Aditya Chopra and CEO Akshaye Widhani, with the banner increasingly collaborating with a new generation of filmmakers to diversify its storytelling beyond its traditional strengths in romance, action and family entertainers. The move follows a series of new creative partnerships aimed at broadening the studio’s cinematic portfolio.
For Dhawan, the film presents another opportunity to explore darker narratives after his role in the horror-comedy Bhediya. However, unlike that film, YRF’s upcoming venture is expected to be a straight horror feature, signalling a fresh creative direction for both the actor and the production house.
While the makers are yet to announce the film’s title, supporting cast or plot details, the announcement has already generated considerable buzz within the industry. With YRF entering an unexplored genre and Pannu making his big-screen directorial debut, the project is expected to be one of the banner’s most closely watched releases when it arrives in cinemas in 2027.