Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot: Ramandeep Yadav on ghosts that need healing
Synopsis
'Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot' isn't your standard ghost story — actor Ramandeep Yadav says it's the first show he has seen where ghosts themselves need healing. Streaming on JioHotstar since 11 September, the 40-episode series weaves Central Indian folklore into a neuropsychology-led mystery, with each ghost embodying a distinct human fear.
Key Takeaways
Ramandeep Yadav stars in 'Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot' , a horror-comedy series that premiered on 11 September on JioHotstar .
The show's central concept: ghosts are portrayed as wounded souls needing healing, not just sources of fear.
The 'Apsara Talkies' episode explores the fear of losing one's fanbase — a ghost who constantly asks, 'Are you my fan?' Asha Negi plays Ali, Vishal Vashishtha plays Baba; the series is set against Central Indian folklore .
Ramandeep previously gained recognition for playing pickpocket Rajjo in crime thriller Raakh , inspired by the Ranga–Billa case .
Actor Ramandeep Yadav, currently starring in the horror-comedy series 'Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot', has opened up about what sets the show apart from conventional supernatural narratives — specifically, its portrayal of ghosts as wounded souls in need of healing rather than mere agents of fear.
A Fresh Spin on the Supernatural
'The name Ali Baba is familiar to everyone, but 40 Bhoot gives the story an entirely new identity,' Ramandeep said. 'I have seen for the first time in this show that even ghosts need healing, and that we are actually healing them in the show.' The approach, he noted, reframes the relationship between the living and the supernatural — from confrontation to compassion.
The 40 Fears Behind the 40 Ghosts
When asked whether the 40 Bhoot each represent a distinct human fear, Ramandeep pointed to one of the show's more intriguing storylines — the 'Apsara Talkies' episode. 'We have a story called Apsara Talkies, in which she is the heroine. She keeps asking everyone, "Are you my fan?" So, the fear among the actors is whether her fans might eventually disown her,' he explained. The episode uses the ghost's obsession as a mirror for a very human anxiety: the terror of irrelevance and abandonment.
What the Show Is About
The 40-episode series premiered on 11 September on JioHotstar and is set against the backdrop of Central Indian folklore. It follows Alisha 'Ali' Nigam, a sharp, science-driven neuropsychology expert whose search for her missing father draws her into a world of supernatural mysteries. The series brings together ancient folklore, haunted mysteries, and adventure. Asha Negi plays Ali, while Vishal Vashishtha plays Baba.
Ramandeep Yadav's Rising Profile
Ramandeep became a widely recognised name with his breakout role in Raakh, the crime thriller inspired by the Ranga–Billa case. He played Rajjo, a soft-spoken pickpocket who gradually transforms into one of the series' most unsettling characters. The show also starred Ali Fazal, Sonali Bendre, Akash Makhija, Rakesh Bedi, and Aamir Bashir, and depicted the abduction of two siblings and the subsequent police investigation.
With 'Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot' already streaming, Ramandeep's trajectory from character actor to a lead ensemble performer appears set to continue — and the show's unconventional take on the genre could determine whether supernatural storytelling in Indian OTT finds a new emotional register.
Point of View
Rooted in Central Indian folklore rather than Westernised horror conventions. The concept of 'healing' ghosts is a meaningful creative pivot, but the real test will be whether the show's execution sustains that premise across 40 episodes or reduces it to a novelty hook. Ramandeep's casting as an ensemble actor here, after his breakout in Raakh, also signals a broader industry pattern: crime and genre television is now the fastest route for character actors to crossover visibility.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot' about?
'Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot' is a 40-episode horror-comedy series on JioHotstar, following neuropsychology expert Alisha 'Ali' Nigam as she searches for her missing father and enters a world of supernatural mysteries rooted in Central Indian folklore. It premiered on 11 September and stars Asha Negi, Vishal Vashishtha, and Ramandeep Yadav.
What makes 'Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot' different from other supernatural shows?
According to actor Ramandeep Yadav, the show uniquely portrays ghosts as beings who themselves need healing, rather than simply terrifying the living. This reframing of the supernatural as emotionally wounded is, by his account, something he has not encountered in previous shows.
Where can viewers watch 'Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot'?
The series is streaming on JioHotstar. It premiered on 11 September and comprises 40 episodes.
Who plays the lead roles in 'Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot'?
Asha Negi plays the protagonist Ali (Alisha Nigam), Vishal Vashishtha plays Baba, and Ramandeep Yadav appears in a key role. The series draws its cast from both television and OTT backgrounds.
What is Ramandeep Yadav known for before this show?
Ramandeep Yadav gained widespread recognition for his role as Rajjo — a pickpocket who descends into one of the story's most disturbing characters — in the crime thriller Raakh, inspired by the real-life Ranga–Billa case and also starring Ali Fazal and Sonali Bendre.
