Kaali Kheti director wrote Jackie Shroff, Sharad Kelkar roles with actors in mind
Synopsis
Director Haris Imtiyaz Khan wrote the roles in 'Kaali Kheti' with Jackie Shroff and Sharad Kelkar specifically in mind — and both said yes immediately. The folklore-rooted rural horror, marking Shroff's first full-fledged genre outing, hits cinemas on 20 November 2026.
Key Takeaways
Director Haris Imtiyaz Khan wrote the roles of Jackie Shroff and Sharad Kelkar in 'Kaali Kheti' with both actors specifically in mind.
Both actors reportedly agreed to the film immediately after the script narration. 'Kaali Kheti' is Jackie Shroff's first full-fledged horror film, according to the director.
The film is a rural, folklore-inspired horror set in a village threatened by an ominous supernatural force.
Produced by Sana Khan under BlackCanvas Studio , the film releases in cinemas on 20 November 2026 .
Director Haris Imtiyaz Khan has revealed that he conceived the characters of Jackie Shroff and Sharad Kelkar in his upcoming rural horror film 'Kaali Kheti' specifically with the two actors in mind — and considers himself fortunate that both agreed without hesitation after hearing the script.
How the Casting Came Together
Speaking during the film's promotional activities in the Andheri West area of Mumbai, Khan said the process felt almost instinctive. 'When I envisioned the characters, I envisioned them and my characters. I got lucky that these guys liked it when I narrated the script, they immediately said yes to it,' the director said.
For Jackie Shroff, the film marks a notable shift — it is reportedly the first time the veteran actor is fully committing to the horror genre, a departure from the mainstream roles he has largely been associated with over a decades-long career.
The Story and Setting
Describing the film's origins, Khan acknowledged keeping the core concept close to his chest. 'The germ of the story was that I wanted a very basic idea of a film — the main idea, the concept of the film. I cannot tell you the soul of the film,' he said, adding that the narrative unfolded organically from that central premise.
'Kaali Kheti' is rooted in folklore and set in a rural environment, where a village falls under the shadow of a sinister, unexplained force that transforms the very land sustaining its people into something threatening. The premise leans on atmospheric storytelling rather than conventional urban horror tropes, positioning it as a distinctly regional and grounded entry in the genre.
Production and Release Details
The film is written and directed by Haris Imtiyaz Khan and produced by Sana Khan under the banner of BlackCanvas Studio. 'Kaali Kheti' is scheduled for a theatrical release on 20 November 2026.
With its folklore-driven narrative and rural horror framing, the film is being positioned as a fresh entry in a genre that has seen renewed commercial interest in Indian cinema in recent years.
Point of View
Where star presence must do the marketing work that studio franchises handle in bigger productions. 'Kaali Kheti' is also notable for being positioned as a genuinely rural, folklore-rooted horror at a time when most genre entries still default to urban or semi-urban settings. Whether the film can convert its atmospheric premise and credible cast into box-office momentum will depend on how well it differentiates from the recent wave of OTT-first horror that has reset audience expectations for the genre.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Kaali Kheti' about?
'Kaali Kheti' is a rural folklore-inspired horror film in which a village falls under the shadow of a sinister force that turns its own land into a source of dread. The film is written and directed by Haris Imtiyaz Khan and stars Jackie Shroff and Sharad Kelkar.
When does 'Kaali Kheti' release in cinemas?
'Kaali Kheti' is scheduled for a theatrical release on 20 November 2026. It is produced by Sana Khan under the banner of BlackCanvas Studio.
Is 'Kaali Kheti' Jackie Shroff's first horror film?
According to director Haris Imtiyaz Khan, 'Kaali Kheti' marks Jackie Shroff's first time fully committing to the horror genre. Shroff has had a long career in mainstream Hindi cinema but has not previously taken on a full-fledged horror role.
How did Jackie Shroff and Sharad Kelkar get cast in the film?
Director Haris Imtiyaz Khan wrote both characters with Jackie Shroff and Sharad Kelkar specifically in mind. After the script narration, both actors reportedly agreed to the project immediately.
Who is directing and producing 'Kaali Kheti'?
'Kaali Kheti' is written and directed by Haris Imtiyaz Khan and produced by Sana Khan under BlackCanvas Studio. It is Khan's upcoming feature set for a November 2026 release.
