Bollywood actor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kangana Ranaut is set to return to the horror genre after a gap of nearly 17 years, with her new film "Scary Picture" officially announced at the HorrorCon India 2026 event in Delhi. The announcement was made by Telugu star Rana Daggubati, who confirmed that Ranaut will play the lead role in the project. The film also marks the first on-screen collaboration between the two actors, making it one of the more unexpected pairings in recent Indian cinema. The news comes at a busy time for Ranaut, whose long-awaited "Queen 2" has also been confirmed.

"Scary Picture" announced at HorrorCon India 2026

The announcement took place at HorrorCon India 2026 in Delhi, an event dedicated to the horror genre, where Rana Daggubati took the stage to reveal the title of the new film and confirm that Kangana Ranaut has been cast in the lead role. By unveiling the project at a horror convention rather than a traditional film event, the makers underlined that horror will be at the very heart of the movie's identity.

While details of the plot, director and supporting cast have been kept under wraps, the announcement itself has already generated significant buzz. According to reports published by Ratopati and Khabarhub, the film represents a notable moment for Ranaut, who has stayed away from the horror genre for close to two decades.

Key details confirmed so far

  • Film title: "Scary Picture"
  • Lead actor: Kangana Ranaut
  • Announced by: Rana Daggubati
  • Venue of announcement: HorrorCon India 2026, Delhi
  • Significance: Ranaut's return to horror after nearly 17 years and her first film opposite Daggubati

A return to horror after nearly two decades

For Ranaut, the new project marks a homecoming of sorts to a genre she explored early in her career. The 17-year gap takes her back to 2009, when she was seen in the supernatural horror film "Raaz: The Mystery Continues", and "Scary Picture" now brings her back to the space after a long absence.

Since then, Ranaut's career has moved in a very different direction. After making her debut with the 2006 film "Gangster", she established herself as one of Hindi cinema's most decorated performers, winning multiple National Film Awards and headlining films such as "Fashion", "Tanu Weds Manu Returns" and "Queen". Her journey later extended beyond the screen as well, with the actor entering politics and winning election to the Lok Sabha as a BJP MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.

A return to horror, therefore, adds a fresh dimension to a filmography that has in recent years been defined largely by biographical dramas and period films. It also fits into a wider trend in Indian cinema, where the horror genre has been attracting major stars and growing audiences, making the timing of the announcement strategically significant.

First collaboration between Kangana Ranaut and Rana Daggubati

The project is equally notable for bringing together two actors from different film industries. Rana Daggubati, best known for playing Bhallaladeva in the "Baahubali" franchise, is one of Telugu cinema's most recognisable faces and has also worked in Tamil and Hindi films as an actor and producer.

For Ranaut and Daggubati, "Scary Picture" will be their first film together. The pairing of the Himachal-born Bollywood actor and the Telugu star gives the film a pan-India appeal, and the decision to announce it at a national-level convention suggests the makers intend to position it for audiences well beyond any single industry.

Details such as the film's release date, director and remaining cast have not yet been disclosed, leaving fans awaiting further announcements from the team in the coming months.

"Queen 2" also on the cards

The "Scary Picture" announcement arrives alongside confirmation of another significant project in Ranaut's career: "Queen 2". The sequel to her 2013 hit "Queen", in which she played the much-loved character Rani, has now been officially confirmed, adding further weight to the actor's upcoming slate.

The original "Queen" was a landmark film in Ranaut's career, earning widespread acclaim and a National Film Award for Best Actress, and news that its sequel is moving ahead has generated considerable excitement among her fans. That the confirmation came in the same period as the horror announcement indicates that Ranaut is lining up a busy phase of work.

With "Queen 2" confirmed and "Scary Picture" officially announced, the actor-turned-politician appears set to balance a commercial franchise with a genre experiment. Further details about both projects, including directors, supporting casts and release timelines, are expected to be revealed by the makers in due course.