LUPT on WAVES OTT: Karan Aanand on the supernatural thriller rooted in truth
Synopsis
LUPT isn't selling itself as just another ghost story — it's leaning hard on the 'inspired by true events' hook, and with Jaaved Jaaferi and Vijay Raaz in the ensemble, it has the acting firepower to back it up. Karan Aanand's pitch: the real terror isn't the supernatural, it's the unresolved human past. Streaming on WAVES OTT from 31 July.
Key Takeaways
Supernatural thriller LUPT begins streaming on WAVES OTT from 31 July .
The film is directed by Prabhuraj and inspired by real-life events.
Cast includes Jaaved Jaaferi , Vijay Raaz , Karan Aanand , Meenakshi Dixit , Rishabh Chadha , and Niki Aneja Walia .
Actor Karan Aanand describes the film as exploring 'human emotions, hidden fears and the impact of unresolved events from the past.' The story centres on a family trip that turns terrifying as hidden secrets surface.
Actor Karan Aanand has described the supernatural thriller LUPT as a deeply personal project, emphasising that its grounding in real-life events sets it apart from conventional horror fare. The film begins streaming on WAVES OTT from 31 July, directed by Prabhuraj.
What LUPT Is About
At its core, LUPT follows a family whose seemingly routine trip descends into a terrifying ordeal as unexplained incidents surface and buried secrets from the past begin to unravel. The narrative deliberately blurs the boundary between reality, fear, and the supernatural — a tonal choice that Aanand says makes the story far more resonant than a straightforward ghost film.
'LUPT is a very special film because it is inspired by a true story, and that makes its journey even more intriguing and unsettling. When a story has its roots in real-life events, the fear and emotions feel much more relatable. The film is not only about supernatural experiences; it also explores human emotions, hidden fears and the impact of unresolved events from the past,' Aanand said.
The Cast and Creative Team
LUPT features a notable ensemble, bringing together Jaaved Jaaferi, Vijay Raaz, Meenakshi Dixit, Rishabh Chadha, and Niki Aneja Walia alongside Aanand. The actor credited the cast's collective depth for elevating each layer of the mystery. 'I had the opportunity to work with an extremely talented and accomplished cast, and every character adds an important layer to the mystery,' he noted.
Why the OTT Release Matters
The film's arrival on WAVES OTT gives it access to a significantly broader viewership than a limited theatrical run would have afforded. Aanand expressed satisfaction at the platform choice, saying he believes audiences 'will enjoy the suspense, connect with the emotions, and remain curious about what happens next until the very end.' This comes amid a broader trend of mid-budget supernatural thrillers finding their most engaged audiences on streaming platforms, where genre content consistently outperforms in completion rates.
The Real-Story Angle
The claim that LUPT draws from actual events adds a layer of unease that purely fictional supernatural narratives often struggle to replicate. While the specific incident inspiring the plot has not been detailed publicly, the production has leaned into the 'based on a true story' framing as a central marketing pillar — a device that, when credible, meaningfully amplifies audience investment in horror and thriller genres.
Point of View
And that's a calculated bet — audiences consistently rate true-event horror as more frightening than fiction, but the payoff depends entirely on whether the film delivers narrative specificity or merely borrows the label for atmosphere. With Vijay Raaz and Jaaved Jaaferi in the mix, the acting credibility is there. The real question is whether director Prabhuraj uses the ensemble's range to interrogate the psychological dimensions Aanand promises, or defaults to genre convention. WAVES OTT's growing library of regional and niche thriller content makes this a meaningful test of whether the platform can build a genre identity the way Netflix did with Korean thrillers.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LUPT and where can I watch it?
LUPT is a supernatural thriller directed by Prabhuraj, inspired by real-life events, and streaming on WAVES OTT from 31 July. The film follows a family whose ordinary trip turns terrifying as past secrets and unexplained incidents come to light.
Who is in the cast of LUPT?
The film stars Jaaved Jaaferi, Vijay Raaz, Karan Aanand, Meenakshi Dixit, Rishabh Chadha, and Niki Aneja Walia. Karan Aanand has described the ensemble as 'extremely talented and accomplished,' with each character adding a distinct layer to the mystery.
Is LUPT based on a true story?
Yes, LUPT is described as inspired by real-life events, though the specific incident has not been publicly detailed by the production. Karan Aanand has said this real-world grounding makes the fear and emotions 'much more relatable.'
What themes does LUPT explore beyond the supernatural?
According to Karan Aanand, the film goes beyond ghost-story conventions to examine human emotions, hidden fears, and the psychological impact of unresolved events from the past. The narrative deliberately blurs the line between reality and the supernatural.
