Bhediya (Hindi: भेड़िया, meaning "wolf") is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language comedy horror film directed by Amar Kaushik and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films and Jio Studios. The film stars Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon in the lead roles, with supporting performances by Abhishek Banerjee, Deepak Dobriyal and Paalin Kabak. It is the third instalment in Maddock Films' supernatural horror-comedy universe, following Stree (2018) and Roohi (2021).
Set in Arunachal Pradesh, the film draws upon folklore from the region, particularly the legend of the Visap, a shape-shifting wolf-like creature found in some North-East Indian belief systems. It blends werewolf mythology with Indian indigenous narratives and environmental themes related to deforestation.
| Title | Bhediya |
|---|---|
| Director | Amar Kaushik |
| Producers | Dinesh Vijan, Jyoti Deshpande |
| Writer | Niren Bhatt |
| Production companies | Maddock Films, Jio Studios |
| Lead cast | Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Abhishek Banerjee, Deepak Dobriyal, Paalin Kabak |
| Music | Sachin–Jigar |
| Cinematography | Jishnu Bhattacharjee |
| Release date | 25 November 2022 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Country | India |
| Genre | Comedy horror, creature feature |
| Franchise | Maddock Horror Comedy Universe |
The story follows Bhaskar, a contractor from Delhi, who travels to Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh to construct a road through a dense forest. During an encounter in the woods, he is bitten by a mysterious wolf and gradually discovers that he has begun to transform into a were-wolf at night. With help from his cousin Janardan, his friend Jomin, and a local veterinarian Anika, Bhaskar tries to control his transformation while also confronting the deeper meaning of the creature's presence and its connection to the forest's protection.
Principal photography for Bhediya took place largely in Arunachal Pradesh, with extensive shooting in and around Ziro Valley in the Lower Subansiri district. The crew also filmed portions in Mumbai. The production made notable use of visual effects to depict the werewolf transformations, with VFX work credited to MPC (Moving Picture Company). It was one of the first major Hindi film productions to be shot extensively in Arunachal Pradesh.
The screenplay by Niren Bhatt incorporates references to the indigenous Apatani culture and the local mythology of the region, while embedding a message about ecological conservation and tribal land rights.
The soundtrack was composed by the duo Sachin–Jigar, with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The album included tracks such as Thumkeshwari, Jungle Mein Kaand, Apna Bana Le, Baaki Sab Theek and Bhediya. The song Apna Bana Le, sung by Arijit Singh, became particularly popular on streaming platforms.
Bhediya was released theatrically worldwide on 25 November 2022. It later premiered on the streaming platform Jio Cinema. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its visual effects, performances, the use of North-East Indian locations, and its environmental subtext. The end of the film featured a cameo connecting it to the wider Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, setting up a crossover with the Stree series.
Bhediya is part of an interconnected franchise of supernatural horror-comedy films produced by Maddock Films. The franchise comprises:
A sequel, tentatively titled Bhediya 2, has been announced by the producers as part of the ongoing expansion of the universe.
The film is considered notable in mainstream Hindi cinema for several reasons: