Shraddha Kapoor Set to Star and Co-Produce Dark Fantasy ‘Pahadpangira’ Directed by Rahi Anil Barve

Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor is reportedly attached to Rahi Anil Barve’s upcoming dark fantasy film, ‘Pahadpangira’, not only as the lead but potentially as a creative producer, according to sources cited by Mid Day. This clarifies earlier rumours suggesting her exit from the project, which were dismissed by Barve in May.

---

Project Background and Creative Vision

‘Pahadpangira’ is described as a dark fantasy rooted in Indian mythology and folklore, exploring feminist themes against the historical backdrop of the Sati practice. The film marks Barve’s return to a solo directorial venture after co-directing the acclaimed 2018 film Tumbbad, which became a cult favorite for its innovative storytelling and visual style.

Initially envisioned as part of the Tumbbad universe, the project evolved into a standalone film following Barve’s separation from the original producers, allowing him greater creative freedom. The narrative’s originality and franchise potential have reportedly attracted Kapoor to the project, who may also contribute creatively beyond acting.

---

Casting and Scheduling

A source close to the production told Mid Day that Kapoor is currently scheduled to shoot Laxman Utekar’s next project starting November 2025. She is expected to finalize her commitment to Pahadpangira once her 2026 schedule is confirmed, with filming tentatively planned for mid-2026.

In May, reports suggested a disagreement between Kapoor and producer Ektaa Kapoor over remuneration, with Shraddha reportedly asking for Rs 17 crore plus a share of profits, which Ektaa considered too high. Barve had since clarified, urging fans to ignore the rumours and promising an official announcement in due course.

---

Shraddha Kapoor’s Recent Work

Kapoor was last seen in Stree 2, the horror-comedy sequel directed by Amar Kaushik and co-starring Rajkummar Rao. The film, featuring a strong ensemble including Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee, and Aparshakti Khurana, with cameo appearances by Varun Dhawan and Akshay Kumar, was among the highest-grossing Bollywood releases of 2024. The franchise has since announced a third installment, maintaining fan excitement around her projects.

---

Industry Implications

Kapoor’s involvement as a creative producer signals a growing trend of actors taking on production roles in high-concept films, combining star power with creative oversight. Pahadpangira is poised to expand the scope of Indian fantasy cinema, blending folklore with modern feminist narratives, potentially setting the stage for a franchise-driven storytelling model similar to global cinematic universes.