Maddock Films, led by producer Dinesh Vijan, is riding high after the blockbuster run of Stree 2 and Chhaava. While the studio continues to expand its horror comedy universe, it is now setting its sights on two ambitious cinematic ventures — a fantasy trilogy inspired by The Arabian Nights and a mythological franchise centered on immortal figures from Hindu scriptures.
Maddock’s Arabian Nights fantasy universe begins with Ali Baba
According to a report by PeepingMoon.com, Maddock Films has been developing a fantasy universe based on The Arabian Nights for over two years. The studio is planning a trilogy of large-scale films reimagining legendary tales through an Indian cultural lens. The series will begin with Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, followed by Aladdin’s Wonderful Lamp and Sinbad the Sailor.
Each film will aim to deliver grand storytelling layered with visual spectacle, incorporating genies, magic lamps, mythical creatures, and themes of love, betrayal, and revenge. Production on the first film, Ali Baba, is expected to begin in 2025.
In an earlier interview with Variety, Vijan explained his strategy, saying, “The new purchasing power, the new India needs stories. If you have to go in theaters, we need to make them larger.” Maddock’s Arabian Nights universe is expected to push the boundaries of Indian fantasy cinema with cutting-edge VFX and immersive world-building.
Chiranjeevi Universe: A mythological saga led by Vicky Kaushal
Simultaneously, Maddock is creating what it refers to as the Chiranjeevi Universe — a mythological series centered on characters believed to be immortal according to Hindu scriptures. These include figures like Parashurama, Ashwatthama, Hanuman, and others who are said to remain alive on Earth until the end of the current Kali Yuga.
The first film in this universe is Mahavatar, starring Vicky Kaushal as Chiranjeevi Parashurama. Directed by Amar Kaushik, the film will tell the story of the fierce warrior sage, who is also regarded as one of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. Mahavatar is scheduled to go on floors by the end of this year and will release in theatres during Christmas 2026.
While Mahavatar is being mounted on a large scale, the continuation of the Chiranjeevi Universe will depend on its box office performance. If successful, Maddock plans to develop more films based on other mythological immortals from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Building on back-to-back hits
Maddock’s decision to enter new universes follows a string of recent box office successes of Chhava and Stree2.
These new franchise announcements underscore a major shift: Maddock is evolving from delivering niche horror‑comedy content to spearheading large-format, franchise-based filmmaking. By blending folklore and ancient epics with modern VFX and storytelling, the studio aims to match the scale and ambition of international cinematic universes.
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