Kriti Sanon to headline Maddock's first pure horror film, her 9th collab
Synopsis
Kriti Sanon is stepping away from the familiar into territory even Maddock Films has never explored — pure, uncut horror. Her ninth collaboration with the banner drops the laughs entirely, and coming off 'Mimi's' National Award win and 'Cocktail 2's' opening-week surge, the stakes for this grand-scale project are real.
Key Takeaways
Kriti Sanon has signed an untitled pure horror film produced by Maddock Films .
This is her ninth collaboration with Maddock and her second solo lead with the banner, after 'Mimi' (National Award winner).
The film marks Maddock's first foray into out-and-out horror , separate from its horror-comedy universe.
The project is being mounted on a grand scale ; director, cast, and release date remain undisclosed.
Her last film, 'Cocktail 2' , crossed ₹100 crore worldwide in its first six days .
Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon is set to headline an untitled, large-scale horror film produced by Maddock Films, marking her ninth collaboration with the production house, according to sources close to the development. The project is particularly notable as it will be Maddock's first foray into out-and-out horror — a departure from the production house's established horror-comedy universe.
A New Genre Frontier for Sanon and Maddock
According to a source familiar with the project, Sanon has been keen to diversify her filmography following back-to-back commercial outings. 'She's always been keen to explore different genres, and this time, she's stepping into the world of pure horror with a large-scale film produced by Maddock which she will be headlining,' the source said.
Notably, this will be her second solo lead with Maddock Films, the first being 'Mimi' — for which she won a National Award. While Maddock has built a formidable horror-comedy franchise in recent years, this untitled project reportedly charts entirely new territory for the banner, with the makers looking to mount it on a grand scale.
Details Still Under Wraps
Specifics about the film's director, story, and release timeline remain undisclosed. The source confirmed that 'details are currently under wraps,' but described the project as 'exciting' and one being built for significant theatrical impact. Casting beyond Sanon has also not been announced.
Box-Office Context: Coming Off 'Cocktail 2'
Sanon's most recent release, 'Cocktail 2', directed by Homi Adajania and co-starring Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna, crossed ₹100 crore worldwide within its first six days. Collections reportedly slowed as the theatrical run extended, keeping the film's final outcome 'respectable rather than exceptional,' according to trade observers. Sanon's performance, however, drew praise from critics. Before that, she featured in 'Tere Ishk Mein', another well-received outing.
What This Signals for Sanon's Career
Sanon's pivot to pure horror reflects a broader trend among top Hindi film actresses seeking genre variety to consolidate leading-lady status. Her long-standing creative equation with Maddock Films — one of Bollywood's most commercially consistent banners — adds credibility to the project even at this early, pre-announcement stage. With Maddock's production muscle and Sanon's growing box-office pull, the film is expected to be a high-profile release whenever it reaches screens.
Point of View
But its horror-comedy brand is now well-mapped territory. A pivot to pure horror is a genuine creative risk — and the fact that it is being anchored by Sanon, not an ensemble, tells you the production house is betting on star power to carry an unfamiliar tone. Sanon's trajectory since 'Mimi' has been upward but uneven; 'Cocktail 2' opened big and then softened. A solo lead in a genre film with no comedy safety net will be a sharper test of whether her box-office pull is durable or franchise-dependent. The absence of any details — director, story, even a working title — also suggests this announcement is more about staking commercial ground early than green-lighting a ready script.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kriti Sanon's new horror film?
Kriti Sanon has reportedly signed an untitled, large-scale pure horror film produced by Maddock Films. It will be her ninth collaboration with the banner and its first venture into out-and-out horror, distinct from the horror-comedy films Maddock has made previously.
Who is producing Kriti Sanon's horror film?
The film is being produced by Maddock Films, one of Bollywood's leading production houses. This will mark their first pure horror project, expanding beyond the horror-comedy universe they are known for.
How is this film different from Maddock's previous horror projects?
Maddock Films has previously produced horror-comedies, but this untitled project will be an out-and-out horror film — a genre space the production house is entering for the first time. There will be no comedy element, according to sources.
What was Kriti Sanon's last film and how did it perform?
Kriti Sanon's most recent release was 'Cocktail 2', directed by Homi Adajania and co-starring Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. It crossed ₹100 crore worldwide within six days, though collections slowed as the run progressed.
Has Kriti Sanon worked with Maddock Films before?
Yes, the untitled horror film will be Kriti Sanon's ninth collaboration with Maddock Films. Her most notable solo lead with the banner was 'Mimi', for which she won a National Award for Best Actress.
