Following his maiden directorial debut, Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, actor-comedian-filmmaker Vir Das is set to explore a new creative space with his next project. The filmmaker has announced his first-ever found footage horror film, marking a significant genre shift in his directorial journey.
Vir Das to direct horror story Baara Number
The upcoming project Baara Number will see Vir Das collaborating once again with Kavi Shastri, with the duo co-directing the film. Known for their distinct storytelling approach and collaborative synergy, the pair is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the horror genre, focusing on a more layered and immersive narrative style.
The movie Baara Number is scheduled to go on floors in June, with its initial shooting schedule planned in Mumbai. Continuing his inclination towards ensemble storytelling, Vir Das will also feature as part of a multi-character cast in the film.
Positioned as a found footage horror narrative, the project aims to move beyond conventional tropes, blending psychological depth with atmospheric storytelling. The film has reportedly been in development for some time and is expected to offer a nuanced take on fear, exploring both external tension and internal human emotions.
With this announcement, Vir Das further expands his creative repertoire, transitioning from comedy to horror while maintaining a strong focus on narrative innovation. The project is already generating industry interest as it gears up for production, emerging as one of the more intriguing upcoming ventures in the genre.
Vir Das had a no-phone policy on Happy Patel`s set
Vir Das told mid-day that the film`s making goes against the grain of the Hindi film industry. Producers have lately raised concerns over soaring entourage costs. So, the rules on the Happy Patel set — no mobile phones, no entourage, and one common hair and make-up crew for all — come as a surprise. For Das, the maths was simple. To finish the film on a tight budget and within a short schedule, he needed to do the opposite of what the industry considers normal.
“It is a tiny film, shot in 31 days. So, it was crucial to do this. We had six action sequences and 14 original pieces of music. We also had cameos from Aamir [Khan] and Imran [Khan]. We had to keep our costs down,” Das explains, adding that he is thrilled to have set a new culture on a movie set. “The no-cell phone policy benefited us. We sped up shooting by one and a half times.”
