Nov 13, 2026 11:30am IST
Rana Daggubati Plans Horror Slate With Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Scary Picture’ as First Film: ‘Horror Can Be Made in Every Budget’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Rana Daggubati aims to build a dedicated production ecosystem for Indian horror by backing a slate of films and creating opportunities for filmmakers working across the genre. The first step is “Scary Picture,” an upcoming horror film starring Kangana Ranaut and directed by Telugu filmmaker Ravi Babu. The makers will unveil its first asset on Friday, November 13, coinciding with the date’s association with horror and superstition. Veteran producer Suresh Babu backs the project under Suresh Productions alongside Rana’s Spirit Media. The film also marks a renewed push into horror for a banner largely known for mainstream Telugu cinema and family entertainers.
In an exclusive conversation with Variety India, Rana reveals that his ambition extends beyond a single film. Suresh Productions and Spirit Media intend to collaborate with filmmakers interested in horror, initially backing a first set of projects before potentially launching an independent brand dedicated to the genre. Submissions are already open, and the team welcomes ideas across psychological horror, creature features, horror-comedy, and social horror.
“Scary Picture” brings together Ranaut and Ravi Babu, who makes his Hindi feature directorial debut with this film. The team initially developed the project as a Telugu film in Hyderabad before approaching Kangana, who responded enthusiastically to the idea. Rana says he feels particularly excited that an actor of her stature chose to take on what he describes as an edgy, experimental narrative. Excerpts:
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You have plans to build a dedicated platform for horror. Can you elaborate?
We’ve produced horror films before, but they always sat under the Suresh Productions banner alongside the family entertainers people largely know the house for. Looking at the landscape today, Horror has become one of the most exciting ways for younger audiences to engage with stories. It is experiential and heavily concept-driven, and it doesn’t limit itself to films anymore. It spans Halloween celebrations, global horror IPs, films like “Obsession,” and Indian films like the Malayalam hit “Bramayugam.” Audiences consume horror in so many different ways today. I recently attended a horror convention in Delhi and felt amazed seeing people of every age group - especially younger crowds, treat horror as their go-to genre.
Suresh Productions and Spirit Media are excited to collaborate with filmmakers who want to make horror. We will produce the first set of films, and if enough talent wants to build this space with us, we will turn this into an independent brand that can do much more within the genre. India has no shortage of horror ideas, yet writers and filmmakers working outside the mainstream often struggle to find producers willing to back them.
Will you launch an open submission process or a structured development program?
I completely agree that India has no shortage of horror ideas. Until now, horror has always remained just one genre within a larger production house. Starting with “Scary Picture,” we want to create a consistent stream of production support and release opportunities for filmmakers who love this genre. We will discover together whether this becomes a fully independent brand. That depends on how many films we make and how much talent we find. For now, submissions are open. Filmmakers can send their ideas to scarypicture@thespiritmedia.
Ideally, a submission should include: 1) The full script, 2) Three to five minutes of footage, either from the film itself or from previous work, 3) A short introduction explaining who they are and why they want to make this film. We will take it forward from there.
What kinds of horror stories and subgenres do you want to explore beyond the familiar tropes?
Once we establish a dedicated focus on horror, expanding its vocabulary becomes the natural next step. India is diverse in every genre, and horror is no different. Every region has its own fears, its own stories and its own ways of telling them. So yes, we welcome every subgenre: psychological, creature, horror-comedy, social horror, or whatever new narratives filmmakers bring to us. We want to explore all of it.
‘Scary Picture’ brings together Kangana Ranaut and Ravi Babu, who makes his Hindi feature directorial debut. How did this combination come together?
Ravi is an established filmmaker in Telugu cinema. He has directed many films, including two very successful horror movies, “Anasuya” and “Avunu,” and this marks his third. That is the beauty of this genre. We actually began developing it as a Telugu film in Hyderabad. When we looked for our lead, we pitched it to Kangana, and she loved it. I am thrilled that an actor of her stature in mainstream cinema agreed to take on such an edgy, experimental narrative. The beauty of horror lies in fear, which carries a universal expression. We get scared together and seek comfort in one another, and horror cinema captures that experience. It travels across languages very naturally.
Will the initiative back first-time filmmakers, including those without established stars or large budgets?
Yes, filmmakers can create horror at every budget level, and we want to work across that entire range. As for first-time filmmakers, absolutely. We have launched many newcomers over the years, and we want to do much more of that now. At Spirit Media, we follow a set process for this. Once we greenlight a script, the first-time filmmaker conducts a test shoot with us, and we ensure they receive the right, adequate resources for the film. A star doesn’t have to come first. If the idea is strong enough, it will attract the right cast, and a truly strong idea can bring in a big star.
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