Horror films rely on timing, and the makers of 'Scary Picture' chose theirs carefully. On Friday, November 13, actor-producer Rana Daggubati revealed the first asset of the upcoming horror entertainer, which stars Kangana Ranaut in the lead and is directed by Telugu filmmaker Ravi Babu. Friday the 13th has long been tied to dread and superstition, so the date did some of the promotional work for the film.
Sharing the reveal on his social media timelines, Rana wrote, "A new nightmare is about to unfold. Dr. D. Ramanaidu presents SCARY PICTURE, starring Kangana Ranaut. A Flying Frogs Production.D. Suresh Babu | Ravi Babu. ANYTIME 2027." Giving the release as "anytime 2027" instead of a fixed date suits the film's tone and keeps people curious.
The film is produced by veteran producer Suresh Babu under Suresh Productions. The banner is best known for large-scale family entertainers and mainstream Telugu cinema, so 'Scary Picture' is one of the most unusual projects it has taken on. It is a clear move away from the polished, family-friendly titles the house is known for.
For Kangana Ranaut, the film opens a new chapter. Her career has been built largely on intense dramas, biopics and performance-driven roles. Leading a horror film directed by a genre specialist gives her a very different kind of material.
Ravi Babu brings his horror experience to Hindi cinema
The film is also Ravi Babu's first as a director in Hindi cinema. In Telugu cinema he has a reputation for unconventional thrillers and horror, including 'Anasuya' and 'Avunu', which built a following among genre fans. Pairing him with Kangana points to a film that is meant to be offbeat rather than formulaic.
More than one film
The bigger story may be what Rana Daggubati is planning beyond this film. He sees 'Scary Picture' as the first step towards a dedicated ecosystem for horror filmmaking in India, run through Suresh Productions and Spirit Media.
"What we want, starting with Scary Picture, is to create a consistent stream of production support and release opportunities for filmmakers who love this genre," Rana said. "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. We're open to every subgenre: psychological, creature, horror-comedy, social horror, or whatever new narratives filmmakers bring to us."
The timing makes sense. Indian audiences have recently shown a strong appetite for horror, especially horror-comedy and folklore-based stories. Even so, filmmakers in the genre often struggle to find steady backing and good release slots. If Rana's plan works, regional horror stories from across the country could get a national platform, and new directors could get support that is usually hard to find.
For now, audiences have a title, a lead star, a release year and a carefully timed reveal. More details about the cast, the story and the release are expected in the coming months.
This story is based on a post shared on Rana Daggubati's official social media accounts.
