Dinesh Vijan announces seven horror-comedies

Dinesh Vijan, founder of Maddock Films, has announced the studio's plan to produce seven new horror-comedy films over the next five years, marking a significant expansion of its supernatural franchise. The announcement follows the commercial success of 'Stree 2' and the recent release of 'Thamma', both part of Maddock's growing horror-comedy universe. Vijan emphasised the importance of strategic growth, stating, "At an award event, Vijan said that cinematic universes grow best when not stretched too thin."

The upcoming slate includes a variety of projects designed to balance franchise storytelling with character-driven cinema. One notable title is *Ikkis*, directed by Sriram Raghavan and based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. The film features Agastya Nanda and Dharmendra. Vijan described the project as a reflection of the studio's broader vision, saying, "Vijan described it as a project that reflects the studio’s intent to balance franchise content with character-driven cinema."

Vijan attributes Maddock’s success to its focus on distinct narratives rather than formulaic approaches. He explained, “The sweet spot is three to four films over a few years,” he said, emphasising that Maddock is focused on nurturing franchises that endure, rather than reacting to short-lived industry patterns."

Despite several big-ticket films underperforming recently, Maddock’s culturally rooted



stories, ranging from comedies to folklore-inspired fantasies, have continued to resonate with viewers. Vijan credited this stability to choosing “bold, distinctive narratives” and tapping into India’s cultural depth instead of relying on formulaic storytelling.

He noted that the real competition for cinema today is not other studios, but the smartphone, which has shifted consumer attention to bite-sized video content. This shift has pushed Maddock towards a platform-neutral approach, where IPs can transition seamlessly across theatrical releases, OTT platforms, and mobile formats.

Calling AI a major disruptor, Vijan predicted that rapid advancements - especially in photoreal imagery and cost-efficient VFX- will transform filmmaking economics within the next 18 to 24 months. While these innovations promise higher production quality and broader reach, they also mean that “every storyteller will be able to create,” escalating the battle for viewer attention.

Among Maddock’s key upcoming releases is 'Ikkis', a war drama directed by Sriram Raghavan and inspired by the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. The film features Agastya Nanda in the lead role, with Dharmendra playing a significant character. Vijan called 'Ikkis' one of Maddock’s most emotionally impactful projects, reflecting the studio’s intent to balance commercial franchises with high-calibre, prestige cinema.