Maddock Films’ horror-comedy universe grows: Seven spine-chilling films announced
Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films announces a big expansion with seven new horror-comedy films over five years. He emphasises lasting franchises rooted in culture, platform-neutral storytelling, and upcoming war drama Ikkis, balancing commercial success with meaningful cinema.
New Delhi: At a recent award ceremony, Dinesh Vijan, founder of Maddock Films, announced a bold plan to expand the studio's horror-comedy universe by releasing seven new films over the next five years.
Maddock announces seven horror comedies
At the event, Vijan said Maddock Films will launch seven new horror-comedy films in five years, reinforcing its commitment to creating scalable, franchise-led intellectual property (IP). He explained, "The sweet spot is three to four films over a few years,” emphasising that Maddock wants to nurture franchises that endure rather than chasing fleeting industry trends.Despite some big films not doing well recently, Maddock has stuck to stories with bold and distinct narratives deeply rooted in Indian culture. Vijan said this approach has helped the studio remain stable in an uncertain market. He noted, "We choose bold, distinctive narratives and tap into India’s cultural depth instead of relying on formulaic storytelling”.
Vijan also shared his view on the current entertainment competition. He said, "The real competition for cinema today is not other studios, but the smartphone,” pointing to the shift in audience attention toward short videos on mobile devices. This has pushed Maddock to follow a platform-neutral approach, ensuring their IPs can move smoothly across theatres, OTT platforms, and mobile screens.
Commenting on technology, Vijan called artificial intelligence (AI) "a major disruptor” in the film industry. He predicted that rapid advances in photorealistic imagery and affordable visual effects (VFX) would change filmmaking economics within 18 to 24 months. While these tools promise better quality and wider reach, he warned, "Every storyteller will be able to create,” increasing the competition for viewers’ attention.
Among Maddock’s key upcoming releases is Ikkis, a war drama inspired by Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, the film stars Agastya Nanda and Dharmendra. Vijan called Ikkis "one of Maddock’s most emotionally impactful projects,” showing the studio’s aim to balance blockbuster franchises with prestigious cinema.
This exciting new chapter for Maddock Films promises a mix of thrilling horror comedies rooted in Indian folklore and meaningful stories like Ikkis, catering to a wide audience while adapting to technological and market shifts in entertainment.