Maddock Films is notable for redefining the boundaries of Indian horror with its elaborate interconnected supernatural comedies: the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (affectionately termed by fans as the “Ghost Verse”). It uniquely fuses Indian supernatural archetypes, folktales, and narratives with modern humor and takes on social issues through the lens of satire, forming a very distinct genre that has captivated audiences and critics alike.
Origins: Stree and the Start of It All
This journey began with Stree in 2018, a film that drew inspiration from both all urban legends and rural ghost tales. Amar Kaushik’s directorial debut, Stree, is centered upon the tale of a Chanderi town sorrowful spirit witch seeking revenge for her husband’s betrayal. Its uniqueness was in the trademark blend of horror and comedy, as well as sharp critique on how women are treated in society. Stree’s above-average viewership was enough for Maddock Films to further stretch this world into a shared universe.
Further Expansion of Maddock’s Ghost Verse: Interconnected Stories
Bhediya: Introduced werewolf angles and had crossover appearances of characters from Stree, signaling the birth of a supernatural connected world.
Munjya: Drawing from the folklore of Maharashtra, this film featured Stree and Bhediya’s characters as the supernatural elements continued to amalgamate into the story, set in the Indian backdrop of the timeless paranormal concepts.
Stree 2: Premiering in 2024, this sequel not only advances the story of the haunted past of Chanderi but also added major Bhediya characters to further the unification of the universe. New supernatural beings like a headless demon Sarkata, were introduced alongside the original Stree’s dark legacy while blending horror, action, and social commentary.
Upcoming Movies and Prospective Plans Promotional artwork for projected releases by Maddock Films from 2025 through 2028. Maddock Films has bold intentions to widen the Ghost Verse. Upcoming titles include:
Thama (Diwali 2025): A “bloody” Diwali romance from star cast promises to be a “bloody” Diwa, 2025 Diwali release, directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, the mastermind of Munjya.
Bhediya 2, Chamunda, Maha Mrityunjaya, and the two-part epic Maha Yudh: With scheduled release plans up to 2028, these films hint at an expansive collection of diabolical characters woven into new mythology.
Folklore, social commentary, and innovations of a singular genre
What marks Maddock’s Ghost Verse as distinct is the use of Indian folklore like Munjya (a Brahmin spirit boy who passed before marriage), Stree (a female ghost who seeks vengeance), and Shakchunni (a Bengali spirit from local folklore). Such strategies intertwine the paranormal with culture, thus making the horror both strange and refreshing for Indian viewers.
These films, Stree included, showcase empowered women as much as they utilize the supernatural, while other films like Munjya delve into generational trauma and unfulfilled aspirations.
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Cultural Significance and Edits
Maddock’s horror-comedy franchise was met with great commercial success and critical acclaim. Stree 2 became the highest-grossing Hindi movie of 2024 and one of the most successful Indian films of all time, demonstrating the growing interest in Indian genre cinema.
Maddock Films received great reviews for creating a new narrative outside the haunted bungalows and unimaginative visuals of Indian cinema, filled with rational yet interesting narratives.
Concluding
Maddock’s Ghost Verse is not a mere horror comedy—it is the first Indian attempt towards building a cinematic universe grounded in folklore, wit, and sociopolitical commentary. Add new movies and characters, and the ‘Ghost Verse’ promises to be an ever-changing part of India’s pop culture with both creepy and funny elements in it.
Writer: Pranjal Bapna