'Indian Institute of Zombies' unveils campus-chaos trailer, eyes May 15 release
Synopsis
India's first "zom-com" arrives with a twist: when top students turn into zombies, backbenchers become the unlikely saviours. Blending campus humour with horror, 'Indian Institute of Zombies' launches 15 May with a cast led by Mohan Kapur and Anupriya Goenka — a genre gamble in an era of Indian cinema experimenting boldly with hybrid narratives.
Key Takeaways
Indian Institute of Zombies (IIZ) is India's first "zom-com," releasing nationwide on 15 May .
Directed by Gaganjeet Singh and Alok Dwivedi ; produced by Kunj Sanghvi under Kuku Films .
Written by Hussain Dalal and Abbas Dalal , the duo behind Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Farzi .
Cast includes Mohan Kapur , Anupriya Goenka , Jesse Lever , Shivani Paliwal , Rose Sardana , Sachin Kavetham , and Tanishq Chaudhary .
Plot: top-performing students become zombies; backbenchers must use "Jugaad" to survive the outbreak.
Mumbai, 30 April — The makers of Indian Institute of Zombies (IIZ), produced under Kuku Films' maiden feature venture, released the trailer on Thursday, showcasing a college campus overrun by a zombie outbreak. Directed by Gaganjeet Singh and Alok Dwivedi, the film is positioned as India's first "zom-com" — a fusion of zombie horror and campus comedy — and is scheduled for nationwide theatrical release on 15 May.
Plot and premise
The trailer depicts a scenario where the institution's top-performing students are suddenly transformed into zombies, triggering chaos across classrooms and hostels. As the academic order collapses, an unlikely group of backbenchers must navigate the crisis using their wits and improvisation — a distinctly Indian take on the zombie-survival genre. The narrative hinges on whether this unconventional team can leverage "Jugaad" to survive the unprecedented outbreak.
Creative team and writing
The film has been written by Hussain Dalal in collaboration with Abbas Dalal, the writing duo behind Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone's Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Shahid Kapoor's Farzi. Producer Kunj Sanghvi backs the project, which represents Kuku Films' entry into feature filmmaking.
Cast ensemble
The film features a mix of established actors and emerging talent. Mohan Kapur, Anupriya Goenka, Jesse Lever, Shivani Paliwal, Rose Sardana, Sachin Kavetham, and Tanishq Chaudhary are among those essaying crucial roles, with additional cast members completing the ensemble.
Trailer reception and tone
The preview blends suspense, rapid-fire storytelling, and campus-centric humour, anchored by a high-energy background score. The makers' social media post posed the central premise: "When the campus's brightest students become bloodthirsty zombies, can the backbenchers save them?" The tagline underscores the film's attempt to marry horror conventions with Indian college-life tropes.
Release and market positioning
Indian Institute of Zombies arrives at a time when Indian cinema is increasingly experimenting with genre hybrids. The May 15 release date places it ahead of the summer holiday window, potentially capturing both youth and family audiences seeking novelty-driven content.
Point of View
The anti-hero underdog gets the spotlight, a narrative choice that mirrors the industry's broader shift toward celebrating vernacular humour and college-life authenticity over formulaic Bollywood tropes. If executed well, it could signal a new willingness to blend global genre frameworks with distinctly Indian comedic sensibilities.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Indian Institute of Zombies' and when does it release?
'Indian Institute of Zombies (IIZ)' is India's first "zom-com" (zombie-comedy hybrid) film, releasing nationwide on 15 May. Directed by Gaganjeet Singh and Alok Dwivedi, it is produced by Kunj Sanghvi under Kuku Films' maiden feature venture.
What is the plot of 'Indian Institute of Zombies'?
The film is set on a college campus where top-performing students are suddenly transformed into zombies, triggering chaos. An unlikely group of backbenchers must navigate the crisis using improvisation and "Jugaad" to survive the outbreak and restore order.
Who are the writers and main cast of the film?
The screenplay is written by Hussain Dalal and Abbas Dalal, known for 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' and 'Farzi'. The cast includes Mohan Kapur, Anupriya Goenka, Jesse Lever, Shivani Paliwal, Rose Sardana, Sachin Kavetham, and Tanishq Chaudhary, among others.
Why is 'Indian Institute of Zombies' being called India's first zom-com?
The film uniquely blends zombie horror with campus comedy, a genre fusion that has not been attempted in Indian cinema before. The trailer showcases suspense, fast-paced storytelling, and humour underscored by a high-energy score.
