Bhediya

The film is set in the forests of Arunachal Pradesh, where a road construction project is underway. Bhaskar (Varun Dhawan), a contractor, and his cousin Janardan (Abhishek Banerjee) arrive to oversee the work. After being bitten by a wolf, Bhaskar begins to experience strange physical and behavioral changes, including heightened senses and hair growth. He soon realizes he is turning into a werewolf. With the help of a local veterinarian, Anika (Kriti Sanon), and a forest officer, they uncover a deeper conspiracy involving the destruction of the forest and the anger of a local deity. The film blends horror with comedy, as Bhaskar struggles to control his transformations while trying to save the forest and its inhabitants.

Varun Dhawan plays Bhaskar, a Delhi-based contractor who becomes a werewolf. Kriti Sanon portrays Anika, a veterinarian who helps Bhaskar understand his condition. Abhishek Banerjee plays Janardan, Bhaskar's cousin and comic sidekick. Deepak Dobriyal appears as a forest officer. The film also features Paresh Pahuja, Saurabh Shukla, and others in supporting roles. The voice of the wolf is provided by actor and singer Mika Singh in a cameo appearance. The cast was praised for their chemistry and comedic timing, with Dhawan's physical performance as the werewolf being a highlight.

The film was announced in 2021 as part of Maddock Films' supernatural universe. Principal photography took place in Arunachal Pradesh, with some scenes shot in Mumbai. The filmmakers used a combination of practical effects and VFX to create the werewolf transformations, with the team at DNEG providing the visual effects. The film was initially scheduled for release in April 2022 but was postponed to November due to post-production delays. It was released on 25 November 2022, clashing with the Hollywood film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in some markets. Despite the competition, the film performed well at the box office, grossing over ₹89 crore worldwide.

Bhediya received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the film's blend of horror and comedy, the performances, and the visual effects. On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 80% based on 10 reviews. The Times of India gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars, noting that the film 'works as a fun, engaging entertainer'. The film was also noted for its environmental message about deforestation and wildlife conservation. It was nominated for several awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Critics) for Dhawan. The film's post-credit scene sets up a crossover with the upcoming film Stree 2, expanding the Maddock Supernatural Universe.

Bhediya is notable for being one of the few mainstream Bollywood films to feature a werewolf as the central character, a rarity in Indian cinema. The film's setting in Arunachal Pradesh was chosen to highlight the region's natural beauty and to bring attention to the indigenous Apatani tribe, whose culture is referenced in the film. The filmmakers consulted with local experts to ensure cultural accuracy. The film's soundtrack, composed by Sachin-Jigar, includes the song 'Thumkeshwari', which became a chartbuster. The film also features a cameo by Akshay Kumar in the post-credit scene, teasing a shared universe. Additionally, the film's VFX team created a 3D model of the wolf based on real wolves from the Indian subcontinent to ensure realism.

Maddock Supernatural Universe

A shared universe of Indian horror-comedy films produced by Maddock Films, including Stree, Roohi, Bhediya, and Stree 2.

Werewolf

A mythological creature that can transform from human to wolf form, often associated with the full moon.

Arunachal Pradesh

A state in northeastern India, known for its dense forests and biodiversity.