by After a prolonged hiatus from directing, Bollywood filmmaker Sajid Khan has returned to the director’s chair with a project that marks both a genre shift and a new beginning. His latest film, Hundred, has officially gone on floors, beginning production in Mumbai’s Film City on Friday, January 23, 2026 — a date the makers chose purposefully to coincide with Basant Panchmi, a festival associated with new beginnings and spiritual renewal.
This time, Khan — primarily known for his comic hits — is stepping into horror, a genre he has rarely explored, bringing with him a fresh cinematic vision and a cast that combines Bollywood legacy and rising talent. The film features Yashvardhan Ahuja, son of veteran actor Govinda and producer Sunita Ahuja, in his Bollywood debut alongside Nitanshi Goel, best known for her performance in Laapataa Ladies (2024).
Produced under the banners of Guilty By Association Media and Balaji Telefilms, the project marks a pivotal moment for everyone involved — a fresh start, a genre pivot, and what could potentially be a defining chapter in Hindi cinema’s horror landscape.
A Filmmaker’s Return: Sajid Khan Comes Back to Direct
Sajid Khan’s career as a director began with early successes in mainstream Bollywood comedies. Films like Heyy Babyy (2007), Housefull (2010), and Housefull 2 (2012) consolidated his reputation as a director who knew how to blend humor with crowd appeal.
But after years away from directing feature films — his last widely noted directorial credit being Humshakals (2014) — Khan is making a conscious and calculated return with Hundred. What makes this comeback significant is not merely the act of returning, but the creative direction he has chosen to explore — a horror narrative that stands in clear contrast to his earlier body of work.
Interestingly, while the larger part of Khan’s filmography is dominated by light‑hearted comedies, his directorial roots lie in the horror genre. Early in his career, he directed a short segment for Darna Zaroori Hai (2006) — an anthology horror film — which was his first venture behind the camera. This creates a poetic symmetry: Hundred marks a return to horror nearly two decades later, a creative circle that bridges his beginning with his reinvention.
Why Hundred Matters: Genre Shift and Creative Renewal
In Bollywood, director reinventions are not uncommon. Yet rarely do they come with such a clear turn in genre and narrative tone as Hundred has. Sajid Khan’s pivot to horror suggests:
1. A Break From Typecasting
Khan has been associated so strongly with comedy that many audiences grew to equate his name with slapstick humor and ensemble humor films. Choosing horror sends a message — that he wants to explore worlds beyond what he has been traditionally known for. Horror, with its psychological depth, suspenseful pacing, and atmospheric tension, demands a different directorial sensibility than comedy. This pivot signals his willingness to evolve creatively.
Moreover, horror is gaining prominence in Indian cinema, especially with audiences increasingly open to chilling, intelligent, and mood‑driven narratives on both big and small screens. The genre’s expansion provides fertile ground for filmmakers to push boundaries. Hundred could therefore be Khan’s bold entry into this evolving cinematic space.
2. A Calculated New Beginning
The choice of Basant Panchmi — an auspicious festival that signifies the onset of spring and fresh starts — as the date to launch Hundred’s shoot was likely symbolic. Beginning the film on this day suggests a desire for renewal and positive creative energy, which could be interpreted as a statement of confidence from both the director and the production team.
Meet the Debutant: Yashvardhan Ahuja Steps into Bollywood
One of the most compelling aspects of Hundred is its casting of Yashvardhan Ahuja as the male lead — a launch that has generated significant buzz in entertainment circles.
Yashvardhan Ahuja, son of the iconic Bollywood actor Govinda and Sunita Ahuja, is set to make his acting debut with Hundred. While Govinda remains a celebrated figure in Indian cinema — especially for his impeccable comic timing and charismatic screen presence — his son’s introduction through a horror film suggests a deliberate departure from traditional expectations.
Govinda’s own career spanned decades and included acclaimed performances across genres, but the choice to debut his son in horror rather than family drama or romance indicates a new creative direction. It puts Yashvardhan in a space where he can establish his own identity, distinct from his father’s legacy, while still honoring the weight of lineage he carries.
Industry watchers are particularly curious to see how Yashvardhan’s screen presence materializes in Hundred, and whether his performance reflects the blend of heritage and fresh perspective that debutants from film families often strive for.
Nitanshi Goel: A Rising Talent Joins the Fray
Opposite Yashvardhan, the female lead is played by Nitanshi Goel, who earned attention and praise for her role in Laapataa Ladies (2024). That film — directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan Productions — was a notable release in its own right, showcasing Goel’s talent and versatility early in her journey.
Her casting in Hundred positions her as a promising face in the horror genre at a time when psychological and atmospheric narratives are increasingly resonating with audiences. Pairing a debutant actor with an actress who has already drawn critical acclaim may be seen as a strategic balance — one that allows the film to blend fresh energy with performance credibility.
Given the potential demands of a horror project — which often requires emotional intensity and subtlety — Goel’s involvement adds anticipation around how the film’s tone and lead dynamics will unfold.
The Vision Behind Hundred: What’s Expected
At this stage, the film’s plot details have been kept largely under wraps. However, given the genre shift and the production forces behind it, several educated expectations are emerging:
1. A Mature Storytelling Approach
Horror films in recent years, whether Bollywood or global, have increasingly moved beyond jump scares to more psychological and thematic horror — stories that explore fear through character depth, narrative mystery, and atmospheric tension. Considering Sajid Khan’s choice to revisit the genre from which he started, it’s reasonable to anticipate a blend of classic horror motifs with modern storytelling elements.
2. Production Backing with Real Muscle
Hundred isn’t just a standalone project — it’s backed by Balaji Telefilms, led by Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, as well as Amar Butala’s Guilty By Association Media. Both production houses bring considerable experience:
- Balaji Telefilms has been a major force in Indian television and OTT content, venturing successfully into genres from romance to supernatural thrillers and dramas.
- Amar Butala has an impressive production track record that includes films like Mission Majnu (2023) and Mission Mangal (2019), among others — projects that combine stellar performances with commercial viability.
This combination suggests that Hundred is likely to have a production scale and marketing strategy that positions it for both audience attention and critical engagement.
From Comedy to Chills: Understanding Sajid Khan’s Genre Evolution
Sajid Khan’s early work in comedy helped shape a certain era of mainstream Bollywood entertainment. Films like Housefull and Heyy Babyy were known for their ensemble casts, humorous setups, and box‑office success. Those films brought audiences laughter and escapism — staples of commercial Hindi cinema in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
But transitioning from comedy to horror isn’t just a matter of shifting tone — it reflects a deeper evolution as a filmmaker:
1. Exploring Emotional Extremes
Comedy and horror might seem like opposite ends of the cinematic spectrum, but both demand precision in timing and audience engagement. Where comedy relies on timing to elicit laughter, horror depends on pacing and atmosphere to evoke fear. Successfully making that shift requires a director to rethink how they build narrative tension, character arcs, and thematic resonance.
2. Creative Reinvention in a Competitive Landscape
Bollywood is an industry where reinvention often determines long‑term relevance. Directors, actors, and writers frequently diversify their portfolios to demonstrate range, attract different audience segments, and stay creatively inspired. For Sajid Khan, Hundred isn’t only a comeback — it’s an intentional reinvention, signaling his desire to contribute something distinct and memorable to Hindi cinema beyond comedic staples.
Production, Partnerships, and Industry Context
The production of Hundred signifies an interesting collaboration across major industry players:
Balaji Telefilms
Under the leadership of Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, Balaji has produced successful content across television, films, and OTT platforms. Their foray into various genres — from dramatic series to supernatural thrillers and mythological sagas — has established Balaji as a versatile production house with strong distribution networks.
Their involvement in Hundred indicates confidence in the project’s potential to appeal not just to horror aficionados, but to mainstream audiences.
Amar Butala & Guilty By Association Media
Producer Amar Butala brings a diverse production portfolio that includes commercially successful films such as Mission Majnu and contributions to large‑scale films like Mission Mangal, Kesari, and Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Collaborating with a seasoned production house and a director who’s making his return suggests a balanced creative equation — one that leans on narrative ambition and production muscle alike.
The Personal Angle: Sajid’s Recent Injury and Recovery
Not long before production on Hundred began, Sajid Khan suffered a foot fracture while on a film set in Mumbai in December 2025. The injury required surgery, which was reported to be successful. According to his sister, filmmaker Farah Khan, he recovered from the operation and regained his health in time to helm this new project.
This personal challenge adds an emotional layer to his return — a reminder that creative comebacks often coincide with personal resilience. Overcoming a physical setback to resume work might have deepened his commitment to this film, making Hundred even more significant on a personal and professional level.
What Hundred Could Mean for Bollywood’s Horror Space
Horror as a genre has seen intriguing growth in Indian cinema. From early attempts at spooky tales to contemporary horror thrillers that incorporate social themes and psychological layers, the genre has matured over time. Audiences today expect more than cheap scares — they seek narratives that engage, unsettle, and leave a lingering impact.
If Hundred leans into atmospheric horror, psychological depth, and meaningful storytelling — rather than relying purely on jump scares — it might contribute meaningfully to the genre’s evolution in mainstream Bollywood. The film could also bridge the gap between commercial entertainment and thoughtful genre cinema, a space where horror remains underexplored.
Conclusion: A New Chapter Begins
Sajid Khan’s Hundred is far more than just another Bollywood film going on floors. It represents:
- A director’s reinvention, returning to his roots while embracing new creative ground.
- A debut for Yashvardhan Ahuja, ushering in a new generation of talent.
- A platform for Nitanshi Goel’s expanding repertoire, highlighting her versatility.
- A collaboration with industry heavyweights, blending experience with fresh energy.
- A potential milestone in Bollywood horror, signaling genre growth.
As Hundred progresses through its shooting schedule, audiences and critics alike will be watching — not just for the film’s thrills and chills, but for what it represents: the intersection of legacy, ambition, and creative courage. This project could shape not only the careers of the individuals involved, but also influence broader perceptions of genre and storytelling in contemporary Hindi cinema
