Jaani Dushman: Bhumi Pednekar to Lead Bhushan Kumar’s New Horror Franchise, Set for 2027 Release

Bhumi Satish Pednekkar is set to headline a new theatrical horror franchise titled Jaani Dushman - Darr Ke Aage Maut Hai, bringing together Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series Films and Prabhleen Sandhu’s Almighty Motion Picture. Announced on November 4, 2026, the project is scheduled to reach cinemas in 2027 and will be directed by Arshad Syed.

The film is being positioned as a supernatural horror story with an emotional mother-daughter relationship at its centre. Set entirely in the United Kingdom, its narrative will explore buried family secrets and a haunting, combining psychological tension with supernatural elements.

For Bhumi, the project marks another move into genre-driven storytelling. The actor has previously explored horror with Bhoot: Part One -The Haunted Ship (2020), and the new film gives her another opportunity to take on a story built around fear and the supernatural.

Arshad Syed to Direct, Robbie Grewal Joins as Creative Producer

Arshad Syed will direct the film, while Robbie Grewal has come on board as creative producer. The project also brings together a creative team that previously worked on the paranormal series Bhay - The Gaurav Tiwari Mystery.

The collaboration is significant for Prabhleen Sandhu, founder of Almighty Motion Picture, as it reunites her with Grewal and Syed. The production houses have also worked together on Made in India – A Titan Story, making Jaani Dushman their next collaboration.

The film will be produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Prabhleen Sandhu and Ajay Singhal. Shiv Chanana and Sunita Vinod Vyas are attached as co-producers.

The Conjuring and Harry Potter Stunt Specialist Joins the Film

One of the notable additions to the crew is British stunt specialist Peter Pedrero, who will contribute his expertise in action and stunts.

Pedrero's credits include major international productions such as The Conjuring, Harry Potter, Fast & Furious, The Expendables and Game of Thrones. His involvement suggests that the makers are looking to give the horror project a technically ambitious treatment, particularly in its physical action and set pieces.

In a statement carried by The Hollywood Reporter India, Bhushan Kumar highlighted Pedrero's contribution and said the team hopes to offer audiences an engaging theatrical experience while exploring the horror genre.

Prabhleen Sandhu also spoke about the collaboration, describing the project as a different cinematic experience and highlighting the reunion with Grewal and Syed.

Is This Connected to the 2002 Jaani Dushman Film?

The title may remind Bollywood audiences of Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani, the 2002 fantasy action film directed by Rajkumar Kohli and featuring an ensemble cast that included Sunny Deol, Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Armaan Kohli and Manisha Koirala.

However, the newly announced project is being presented as an original horror franchise. The available announcement does not establish that it is a sequel, remake or continuation of the 2002 film. The shared title should therefore not be taken as confirmation of a connection between the two projects.

The new film carries the expanded title Jaani Dushman - Darr Ke Aage Maut Hai and is built around a different creative team and a mother-daughter horror narrative.

The Celebrity Hour Take

The interesting aspect of Jaani Dushman is the combination of an emotionally driven story with a horror setup designed for theatrical release. Rather than relying only on supernatural scares, the mother-daughter relationship and buried family secrets could give the film a stronger narrative foundation.

The involvement of Peter Pedrero also adds an international technical dimension to the production. However, the film's eventual impact will depend on how effectively its screenplay, performances and horror sequences come together.

With Bhumi leading the cast and Arshad Syed directing, the project has assembled a team with experience across mainstream cinema and paranormal storytelling. The next details to watch are the supporting cast, filming schedule and first official promotional material.

Sources & Verification

The report draws on The Hollywood Reporter India's reporting and an IANS-distributed announcement published on November 4, 2026. These sources support the film's title, lead actor, production companies, director, creative producer, crew, story setting and 2027 theatrical plan. The available announcement does not establish a connection to the 2002 film.