After Shaitaan, actor R Madhavan joins new horror film. How one 2009 horror movie earned him the director’s admiration. ‘Couldn’t think of anyone better’

Actor R Madhavan delivered one of the finest performances in the 2003 horror-mystery 13B. The film, directed by Vikram Kumar, centred around Manohar (Madhavan) and his family, who experience ghostly encounters through television after they move into a new apartment on the 13th floor. Previously, Madhavan impressed fans with his stint in Shaitaan (2024), also starring Ajay Devgn and Jyothika in the lead. Now, the 56-year-old is gearing up for a new untitled horror movie. The project is helmed by Chhori and Maa director Vishal Furia.

R Madhavan’s new horror film

Although not much is known about the film, Vishal has promised that his upcoming project will be something Indian audiences have never seen before in the horror genre. In the words of the filmmaker, ‘We want to create something audiences have never seen before in Indian horror - the kind of fear they will feel in their bones.’

Vishal has also opened up about working with R Madhavan in the film. For the unversed, Madhavan even made a special cameo appearance in the director’s 2025 mythological horror drama, Maa, featuring Kajol. Vishal said without hesitation that Madhavan was always the first and only choice for his upcoming movie.

Director on working with R Madhavan

‘I am stoked that he has come on board and has already started getting into the world of the film,’ said Vishal, heaping praise on Madhavan’s performance in 13B. The filmmaker called Madhavan ‘the true OG horror star’, admitting that 13B was one of his favourite horror movies of all time.

In conclusion, Vishal lauded R Madhavan’s conviction in which he plays the characters in a supernatural film. He also credited the actor’s experience and understanding of what true horror really means, which, according to Vishal, was a very ‘rare’ quality. ‘I could not think of anyone better for this film,’ he said.

R Madhavan’s last project

R Madhavan was last seen in the Tamil biographical drama GDN. The film, directed by Krishnakumar Ramakumar, was based on the life of the legendary inventor and industrialist Gopalswamy Doraiswamy Naidu, revered as the ‘Edison of India’. The film, which premiered in theatres on August 7, is now available on Netflix.