Bhootam Bhayyam

Bhootam Bhayyam
Directed byRamchandra Gaonkar
Written byRamchandra Gaonkar
Produced by
  • Naren Kumar
  • Mahesh Korade
Starring
CinematographyPushkar Zoting
Edited byPranav Gandhe
Music by
  • Shreenath Mhatre
  • Sameer Saptiskar
Production
companies
Zee Studios
Kyra Kumar Kreations
Distributed byZee Studios
Release date
  • 24 July 2026 (2026-07-24)
Running time
164 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMarathi

Bhootam Bhayyam (transl. Ghosts and Fear) is a 2026 Indian Marathi-language horror comedy film written and directed by Ramchandra Gaonkar in his directorial debut and produced by Naren Kumar and Mahesh Dnyandeo Korade under Kyra Kumar Kreations.[1] The film features an ensemble cast including Chhaya Kadam, Karan Sonawane, Neel Salekar, Saurabh Ghadge, Siddhant Sarfare, Shubham Jadhav, Pushkaraj Chirputkar and Manmeet Pem, several of whom are social media content creators making their feature debuts.[2][3]

The film follows seven unemployed friends who find an ancient coin capable of producing gold and, in exploiting it for quick money, awaken a centuries-old curse.[4][5] It was released theatrically on 24 July 2026.

Plot

Seven unemployed friends move into Raniwada, an abandoned mansion with an unsettling history, where they come upon an ancient coin known as the parees. Discovering that it can be used to generate money, they begin exploiting it despite warnings from an elderly man, Bhaskar Purushottam, that doing so will have grave consequences; their greed overrides his advice.

When one of the group member, Gaja, goes missing, Bhaskar returns to tell the remaining six the coin's history. It had belonged to a queen and could turn any object to gold, but was stolen centuries earlier by a young man. The theft cost the coin its power, which could be restored only if the thief's blood touched it, and the queen, bound by a vow to protect the thief, could not act. In the present, Jathai recognizes the coin and seeks to kill Gaja, the thief reborn, to restore its power. Gaja escapes her once but is recaptured, and the friends must free him and put an end to their own greed.

Cast

  • Chhaya Kadam as Jathai[6]
  • Karan Sonawane as Gaja
  • Manmeet Pem as Prikshit, alias Exam
  • Pushkaraj Chirputkar as Balkrushna, alias Kaka
  • Neel Salekar as Narhari, alias Reel
  • Shubham Jadhav as Tanhaji, alias Pampi
  • Saurabh Ghadge as Ravindra Modak
  • Siddhant Sarfare as Tanmay
  • Priyadarshan Jadhav as Maya[7]
  • Pratap Phad as Monty
  • Sobita Kudtarkar as Sarojini[8]
  • Kishor Chaughule as Sachin Jadhav
  • Suhita Thatte as Gaja's mother
  • Ninad Limaye as Bhaskar Purushottam
  • Abhay Khadapkar as Babu Kaka
  • Rohan Surve as Dinkar

Production

Bhootam Bhayyam marked the feature-film debut of Ramchandra Gaonkar, who wrote the story, screenplay and dialogue in addition to directing the film. Gaonkar said the team had worked on the project for around two years with the aim of creating a distinctive theatrical experience, describing it as a youthful production led by a new generation of Marathi filmmakers.[9][10]

The film brought together several social media performers collectively known as the "Orange Juice Gang", including Karan Sonawane, Neel Salekar and Saurabh Ghadge, for their first appearance together on the big screen.[11][12]

According to the cast, the deserted locations used for filming were sufficiently eerie that they avoided moving around them alone even after shooting had ended.[13] Chhaya Kadam's role as Jathai required extensive prosthetic makeup by Jitendra Mhatre, which took around three and a half hours to apply each day and left her with limited mobility while in costume.[14][15] The character's first look, released in July 2026, attracted considerable attention in the Marathi press, with several outlets noting that Kadam was almost unrecognizable in the role.[16][17] Priyadarshan Jadhav said he accepted the role of Maya, an enigmatic character, after hearing the script.[18]

Music

The songs were composed by Shreenath Mhatre and Sameer Saptiskar, while Mhatre also composed the background score; the music was released under the K2K Muzic label.[19][20]

Tracklisting
No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Bhootam Bhayyam - Title Track"Prajakt DeshmukhShreenath MhatreShreenath Mhatre4:04
2."Sarojini"Prajakt Deshmukhhreenath MhatreJasraj Jayant Joshi, Shreenath Mhatre2:45
3."Gomu Saasarla Jaate"Abhishek KhankarSamir SaptiskarAnand Shinde, Samir Saptiskar2:34
4."Paishacha Paus Rap"Shreyas Sagvekar, Shreenath MhatreShreenath MhatreShreyas Sagvekar, Shreenath Mhatre2:16
5."Happy New Year"Shreenath Mhatre, KhanderaoShreenath MhatreMika Singh3:22
Total length:15:01

Release

A first look was released in May 2026, followed by the teaser in June and the theatrical trailer in July, the last launched at a horror-themed set.[21][22] Ahead of the release, the Orange Juice Gang held an exclusive fan screening, announced via social media, which drew several thousand registrations.

Ahead of and following the release, Zee Entertainment Enterprises approached the Madras High Court seeking to prevent copyright infringement, including unauthorized online distribution and cable television recording of the film.[23] Justice K. Kumaresh Babu granted a four-week temporary injunction against the named internet service providers and cable operators, subject to Zee furnishing an indemnity.[24] Bhootam Bhayyam was released in cinemas on 24 July 2026, distributed by Zee Studios.[25]

Reception

Critical response

Anub George of The Times of India rated the film 2 out of 5, calling it "a well-executed, poorly thought, nearly three-hour ordeal", and criticised its weak comedy, lack of scares, derivative screenplay, excessive gore and prolonged runtime, while praising the art direction and songs.[26] Kalpeshraj Kubal of Maharashtra Times rated the film 2.5 out of 5, criticizing its screenplay and abrupt shift to the supernatural, while praising the cinematography, editing, visual effects, production design and performances of Chhaya Kadam and Priyadarshan Jadhav.[27]

Box office

Bhootam Bhayyam opened to an estimated ₹22 lakh (US$23,000) net in India, which Koimoi reported as the seventh-highest opening for a Marathi film in 2026.[28] Collections improved across the opening weekend, reaching a cumulative ₹1.48 crore (US$150,000) net by the third day,[29] and the film closed its first week at approximately ₹2.14 crore (US$220,000) net.[30][31] Business fell sharply thereafter, with the second week declining by around 62 per cent to some ₹82 lakh (US$85,000), bringing the India net total to roughly ₹2.96 crore (US$310,000) by the end of the second week.[32]

Against a reported budget of ₹4 crore (US$420,000), Koimoi characterized the film as a commercial failure while noting that it ranked among the ten highest-grossing Marathi films released in 2026.[33] By the end of its third week, the film had grossed ₹3.67 crore (US$380,000) worldwide.[34][35][36]

References

  1. ↑ "Bhootam Bhayam:रील्समधून प्रेक्षकांना खळखळून हसवणारी 'ऑरेंज ज्यूस गँग' आता थेट मोठ्या पडद्यावर, फर्स्टलुक चर्चेत". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  2. ↑ "'Bhootam Bhayam': Chhaya Kadam reveals her FRIGHTENING NEW LOOK, says she felt unrecognisable". The Times of India. 11 July 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  3. ↑ डेस्क, एबीपी माझा एंटरटेनमेंट (22 June 2026). "हॉरर अन् कॉमेडीचा डबल डोस, रिलस्टार आता घाबरवणार अन् हसवणार; 'भूतम भयम्' कधी होणार रिलीज?". ABP Majha (in Marathi). Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  4. ↑ "भीती, विनोद आणि मैत्रीचा अनोखा संगम… 'भूतम भयम'…". www.tarunbharat.net. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "सात मित्रांना सापडला परीस, पुरते अडकणार की पैशाचा पाऊस पाडणार? 'भूतम् भयम्' हॉरर कॉमेडी सिनेमाचा ट्रेलर प्रदर्शित". Lokmat (in Marathi). 10 July 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  6. ↑ Naik, Payal (10 July 2026). "'भूतम भयम्'मधील 'जठाई'चा थरारक लूक समोर! कोण आहे ही अभिनेत्री? ओळखलंत का?". Marathi News Esakal (in Marathi). Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  7. ↑ "'भूतम भयम्' चित्रपटात प्रियदर्शन जाधवची एन्ट्री; साकारणार 'ही' भूमिका, प्रेक्षकांना मिळालं खास सरप्राईज". Lokmat (in Marathi). 24 July 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  8. ↑ Bharat, E. T. V. (18 July 2026). "ही 'सरोजिनी' आहे तरी कोण, जिच्या प्रेमात पागल झालेत 'भूतम भयम्'मधील सात दोस्त?". ETV Bharat News (in Marathi). Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  9. ↑ "भूमिकेसाठी खास मालवणी भाषा शिकला! Bigg Boss फेम अभिनेत्याची हॉरर सिनेमात वर्णी, अनुभव सांगत म्हणाला..." Loksatta (in Marathi). 19 July 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "Shubham Jadhav On Bhootam Bhayyam: We Never Imagined Our Videos Would Lead to A Film- EXCLUSIVE". Filmibeat. 11 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  11. ↑ "'Ourange Juice गँग' आता सिनेमात झळकणार! ७ बेरोजगार मित्रांची गोष्ट, पहिली झलक अन् चित्रपटाचं नाव आलं समोर..." Loksatta (in Marathi). 30 May 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  12. ↑ "'ऑरेंज ज्यूस गँग' फेम करण सोनावणे मालवणी भाषा शिकला, 'भूतम भयम्'मधील लूकची चर्चा". Lokmat (in Marathi). 16 July 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  13. ↑ "Saurabh Ghadge Recalls The Moment Bhootam Bhayyam Became Real: This Wasn't Another Sketch- EXCLUSIVE". Filmibeat. 11 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  14. ↑ "Digital Adda : जठांचं वजन २० किलो, ताईला धड खाताही येत नव्हतं...; छाया कदम यांनी जठाईच्या भूमिकेसाठी घेतली होती 'अशी' मेहनत". Loksatta (in Marathi). 22 July 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  15. ↑ यादव, अमृता (10 July 2026). "Bhootam Bhayyam Movie: 'भूतम भयम्'मधील 'जठाई'चा पहिला लूक प्रदर्शित; पोस्टरमध्ये लपली आहे मराठीतील लोकप्रिय अभिनेत्री; ओळखलंत का?". Navarashtra (in Marathi). Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  16. ↑ यादव, अमृता (12 July 2026). "रोज साडेतीन तासांचा प्रोस्थेटिक मेकअप! पोस्टरवरील 'ही' अभिनेत्री ओळखली का? 'जठाई'च्या भूमिकेसाठी घेतली प्रचंड मेहनत". Navarashtra (in Marathi). Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  17. ↑ Kadam, Shruti Vilas (10 July 2026). "Bhootam Bhayyam: 'भूतम भयम्'साठी छाया कदम यांचे भन्नाट ट्रान्सफॉर्मेशन; 'जठाई'चा लूक पाहून व्हाल थक्क". Marathi News | Saam TV (in Marathi). Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  18. ↑ चव्हाण, दिवेश (24 July 2026). "'भूतम भयम्'मध्ये आणखी एक सरप्राईज! प्रियदर्शन जाधव साकारतोय रहस्यमय 'मया'". Navarashtra (in Marathi). Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  19. ↑ "Bhootam Bhayyam | Song - Sarojini". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  20. ↑ "Bhootam Bhayyam | Song - Kanha". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  21. ↑ वृत्तसेवा, सकाळ (15 June 2026). "Bhootam Bhayyam: 'भूतम भयम्''च्या हॉरर-कॉमेडीची भव्य झलक, टीझरने वाढवली प्रेक्षकांची उत्सुकता!". Marathi News Esakal (in Marathi). Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  22. ↑ Kadam, Shruti Vilas (11 July 2026). "Bhootam Bhayam: नशिब बदलणारा 'परीस' की नव्या संकटांची सुरुवात? 'भूतम् भयम्'चा दमदार ट्रेलर रिलीज". Marathi News | Saam TV (in Marathi). Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  23. ↑ Rathore, Riya (25 July 2026). "Madras High Court Grants Relief To Zee Against Apprehended Copyright Infringement Of 'Bhootam Bhayam' Film". www.livelawbiz.com. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  24. ↑ "Madras High Court grants interim copyright protection to Zee's Bhootam Bhayam". www.storyboard18.com. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  25. ↑ चव्हाण, दिवेश (29 May 2026). "'भूतम भयम' : नवा कोरा हॉरर मराठी सिनेमा! खरंच हॉरर कॉमेडी विश्वातला गेमचेंजर? 'या' तारखेला मिळणार उत्तर". Navarashtra (in Marathi). Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  26. ↑ "Bhootam Bhayyam Movie Review: A series of reels would have been a better idea". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  27. ↑ "भूतम् भयम्". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  28. ↑ More, Shalmesh (25 July 2026). "Bhootam Bhayyam Box Office Collection Day 1: Registers 7th Biggest Marathi Opening Of 2026". Koimoi. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  29. ↑ गुप्ता, मोनिका (27 July 2026). "4 करोड़ के बजट में बनी इस मराठी हॉरर फिल्म का बॉक्स ऑफिस धमाका, 3 दिन में ही बना डाला रिकॉर्ड". ABP News (in Hindi). Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  30. ↑ Gaur, Trisha (31 July 2026). "Bhootam Bhayyam Box Office Day 7: Marathi Horror Comedy Closes Its Opening Week With 53.5% Budget Recovery - Moves Further With Plus Verdict!". Koimoi. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  31. ↑ More, Shalmesh (28 July 2026). "Bhootam Bhayyam Box Office Collection Day 4: Passes The Monday Test, But There's Still A Long Way To Go". Koimoi. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  32. ↑ More, Shalmesh (5 August 2026). "Bhootam Bhayyam Box Office Collection Day 12: To Wrap Up Its Run As 8th Highest-Grossing Marathi Film Of 2026". Koimoi. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  33. ↑ Madaan, Jishika (12 August 2026). "Bhootam Bhayyam Box Office Day 19: Needs Only 20 Lakh More To Become 7th Highest-Grossing Marathi Film Of 2026". Koimoi. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  34. ↑ "Bhootam Bhayyam Box Office Update Day 19: Karan Sonowane Comedy Set To Become 7th Highest-Grossing Marathi Film Of 2026". Zoom TV. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  35. ↑ यादव, राहुल (13 August 2026). "मराठी की ये हॉरर कॉमेडी फिल्म बनी 2026 की आठवीं हाईएस्ट ग्रॉसर, अब बनाने जा रही एक और रिकॉर्ड". ABP News (in Hindi). Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  36. ↑ "'हा' मराठी हॉरर-कॉमेडी चित्रपट ठरला २०२६मधील ७वा सर्वाधिक कमाई करणारा सिनेमा; बॉक्स ऑफिसवर करतोय दमदार कमाई". Loksatta (in Marathi). 14 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
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