Platoon One Films positions this as a sophisticated artistic endeavor, aiming to elevate Indian horror into a global, philosophical medium that explores metaphysical ideas rather than cheap scares.
Insiders suggest the real motive is frustration with the current market saturation of low-effort horror-comedies that fail at both genres, with the founder openly admitting he is 'tired' of watching them.
The Platoon One Horror Lab will select 15 writers for a three-month online program. Founder Shiladitya Bora explicitly stated he was 'getting tired of watching horror-comedies that were neither scary nor funny.' The lab aims to connect writers with producers for potential financing.
The era of lazy Bollywood ghost jokes is officially under scrutiny, with a new lab betting big that audiences are ready for actual dread.
If you thought the only thing haunting Indian cinema was a ghost in a white sari, think again. The real specter is the horror-comedy hybrid that fails to deliver either chills or laughs. Platoon One Films, an independent production and distribution outfit, is launching the Platoon One Horror Lab, a targeted initiative designed to purge the genre of its repetitive supernatural staples.
The company has announced it will select 15 writers for an intensive three-month program, signaling a serious attempt to steer the industry away from predictable beats and toward something far more unsettling. The labβs structure is rigorous and entirely digital, running online with sessions held on weekends. Each of the 15 participants must bring an original horror screenplay to the table, which they will develop under the guidance of seasoned screenwriters and directors from India and abroad.
The curriculum mixes group mentoring and craft discussions with individual sessions, ensuring writers receive ongoing feedback as their drafts evolve. This isnβt just a workshop; itβs a pipeline. Upon completion, participants get the chance to pitch their projects directly to producers and industry figures through Platoon Oneβs network, potentially securing financing and moving toward a shoot.
At the center of this drama is Platoon One founder Shiladitya Bora, who isnβt mincing words about the current state of affairs. In an exclusive statement, Bora revealed his personal frustration with the marketβs offerings. "Frankly, I was getting tired of watching horror-comedies that were neither scary nor funny," Bora said.
He argues that while India has a rich storytelling culture filled with myths and folk tales, mainstream horror keeps returning to the same tired tropes. He believes the genre is capable of much more, stating, "We can talk about much bigger, philosophical and metaphysical ideas through horror, and sometimes it is far more powerful than simply expressing them through dialogue." The ultimate goal is global domination of the dark arts.
Platoon One envisions Indian horror traveling beyond local borders, with tales rooted in Indian hamlets that still manage to frighten viewers in Seoul or SΓ£o Paulo. Bora sees this as an opportunity to cultivate a new generation of filmmakers who can take the genre to a "whole new level." With mentors and faculty to be named in the coming weeks, the industry is watching closely to see if this lab can finally deliver the genuine dread that audiences have been craving but rarely getting. The receipts are in, and the verdict on lazy comedy is guilty.
