Imagine sitting in a dimly lit theater, the lights fading to black as the projector screen springs to life with a chilling tale. Sounds familiar? It’s a scene we’ve all been a part of, but the horror genre in Telugu cinema remains a neglected territory.
Actor Varun Tej is set to disrupt this status quo with his upcoming horror-comedy film, Korean Kanakaraju. Directed by Merlapaka Gandhi, the movie promises to deliver on the scares while keeping the laughs intact.
Varun Tej’s take on horror
Varun Tej, who is known for his versatility in film roles, believes that horror is an unexplored territory in Telugu cinema. ‘Horror is a genre that has been ignored in our film industry. We have not done many horror movies, and when we have, they haven’t been as successful as they could have been,’ he says.
He attributes this gap to the audience’s preference for other genres like action and romance. ‘The audience wants more of action and romance in our films. Horror is something that they are not comfortable with,’ he adds.
However, Varun Tej is adamant that horror has a huge following in India, and it’s time for the industry to tap into it. ‘There are a lot of people who love horror movies. They are not just limited to the north or the west, but are scattered all over the country. We just need to tap into that market,’ he says.
The making of Korean Kanakaraju
Varun Tej’s upcoming film, Korean Kanakaraju, is a horror-comedy that promises to deliver a unique blend of scares and laughs. The movie, directed by Merlapaka Gandhi, is set in a small village in Andhra Pradesh and revolves around a group of friends who are haunted by a supernatural entity.
Varun Tej plays the role of a young man who returns to his village after a long time and gets entangled in a web of horror and comedy. ‘My character is very relatable, and the story is something that will keep the audience engaged throughout,’ he says.
The film also features a talented cast, including Varun Tej’s MCA co-star Vishnu Manchu. ‘Vishnu is a close friend, and I’m really excited to share the screen with him again,’ Varun Tej says.
What’s next for Varun Tej?
Varun Tej is all set to kick-start the promotions of Korean Kanakaraju soon. The actor is looking forward to sharing the film with his fans and receiving their feedback. ‘I’m really excited to see how the audience reacts to the movie,’ he says.
As for future projects, Varun Tej is keen on exploring more genres and experimenting with different roles. ‘I want to do something different, something that will challenge me as an actor,’ he says.
With his upcoming film, Korean Kanakaraju, Varun Tej is all set to take the horror genre by storm. Will he succeed in making horror a staple in Telugu cinema? Only time will tell.