Hindi
Drishyam Films presents an unconventional psychological thriller Tamso
Mumbai: The spotlight is set to shine on the captivating world of horror as Drishyam Film’s Tamso also called Suburban Tales, makes its highly anticipated debut at the prestigious Fantastic Fest in USA. Directed by Stephen Alexander, the film is produced by Rashmi Somvanshi (July Motion Pictures Pvt. Ltd.) and presented by Drishyam Films, which has earlier given us masterpieces like Aankho Dekhi, Masaan, Dhanak, Newton that have been internationally recognised at renowned film festivals like Cannes and Berlin.
It is a proud moment for the cast and crew of Tamso as Austin King, features programmer and head of Submissions at the Fantastic Fest, rightly compares the film’s compelling cinematic endeavour with Kafka’s, The Metamorphosis. “What if Kafka’s The Metamorphosis was an Indian werewolf movie?”, says King as he reviews the plot that promises to redefine the genre by blending spine-chilling elements with a deeply personal narrative.
Tamso, meaning ‘from darkness’, derived from Sanskrit, delves into the depths of the human psyche within the backdrop of a family wedding. The estranged daughter, Radhika, portrayed by Rashmi Somvanshi, is compelled to return home, only to be confronted with an unforeseen twist. The youngest family member, Deepu, is taken over by an enigmatic entity during the wedding preparations. As the family grapples with the inexplicable possession, secrets buried within the family’s history resurface, causing an unsettling cascade of events. As reality merges with fantasy, Radhika embarks on a journey to confront her past and unearth the darkness that has long haunted her family.
Actor and producer of the film Rashmi Somvanshi says: “With its compelling narrative, impeccable direction, and thought-provoking theme, Tamso stands poised to redefine the horror genre, offering audiences a glimpse into the unexplored realms of fear and human psychology. We’re honoured to get the film premiered at the prestigious Fantastic Fest. We do hope it is liked by all. For those interested in out of the box content, this is a must watch. This movie has carefully woven a narrative that challenges traditional horror norms, offering a fresh perspective on the genre. I’m sure the audience will like it and I can’t wait to get their views.”
The movie has an ensemble cast featuring Rashmi Somvanshi, Ritika Gupta, Vaishnavi Singh, Ansh Pandey, Dev Chauhan, Sunita Hooda, and Kaushlendra. The screenplay, dialogues, and story have been meticulously crafted by Stephen Alexander and Rashmi Somvanshi.
Director Stephen Alexander, a debutant director in the realm of filmmaking, explores the blurred boundaries between the supernatural and human psychology in this psychological thriller.
As Tamso makes its world premiere at Fantastic Fest, it finds itself in the heart of the largest genre film festival in the USA. Celebrating cinematic excellence that pushes boundaries, Fantastic Fest provides the perfect platform for this unconventional horror experience. It is a paramount event in the cinematic world, renowned for its significant impact on the movie industry. With a resolute focus on groundbreaking genre films encompassing horror, science fiction, fantasy, and more, the festival stands as a pivotal platform that celebrates audacious storytelling and fosters a dynamic community of filmmakers, enthusiasts, and industry professionals. Smile, Blood Relative, The Menu, Living With Chucky are some of the prominent movies which have been screened at the Fantastic Fest.
Hindi
Jio Studios, Sanjay Dutt team up to revive Khal Nayak
Rights acquired for new version, format under wraps as remake plans take shape.
MUMBAI: The villain is back and this time, he’s rewriting his own script. Jio Studios has partnered with Three Dimension Motion Pictures and Aspect Entertainment to revive the 1993 cult classic Khal Nayak, marking a fresh chapter for one of Bollywood’s most iconic anti-hero stories. The original film, directed by Subhash Ghai under Mukta Arts, was a commercial and cultural milestone, with Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of Ballu becoming one of Hindi cinema’s most memorable performances.
Dutt, along with Aksha Kamboj, has now acquired the rights from the original creators, bringing on board Jio Studios and its President Jyoti Deshpande to steer the project creatively.
While the exact format whether remake, sequel, prequel, or a completely new narrative remains undisclosed, the collaboration aims to reinterpret the story for contemporary audiences while retaining the essence that made the original a defining film of the 1990s.
The move taps into a broader industry trend of reviving legacy intellectual property, particularly characters with strong recall value. “Khal Nayak” was notable for pushing mainstream Hindi cinema into morally grey territory at a time when heroes were largely one-dimensional, making Ballu’s character a standout.
The project also marks the film production debut of Aspect Entertainment, signalling a push towards more technology-led storytelling frameworks. Meanwhile, Jio Studios continues to expand its slate, having built a library of over 200 films and series, with more than 60 titles collectively winning 500-plus awards.
For Dutt, the revival is as much personal as it is strategic, a return to a role that reshaped his career. For the industry, it is another sign that nostalgia, when paired with scale, remains a powerful box-office proposition.
Because in Bollywood, some villains never fade, they just wait for the perfect comeback.
