Varun Tej: Horror Unexplored in Telugu, according to the actor, who believes the genre has massive untapped potential for the big screen. The star, often dubbed the Mega Prince, is gearing up for the release of his latest project, Korean Kanakaraju, a horror-comedy entertainer that hits theaters this Friday. Directed by Merlapaka Gandhi, the film features Ritika Nayak as the female lead.
In a candid conversation, Varun Tej shared his thoughts on why he believes the Telugu film industry has not fully embraced the horror genre. He pointed out that while there have been a few attempts, the space remains largely unexplored. “I feel complete horror is unexplored in Telugu. There are only a handful of films. There is a huge audience for the horror genre. In that space, we can deliver a solid theatrical experience,” he said.
Varun Tej also highlighted how the viewing experience differs between streaming platforms and cinemas. He mentioned watching his recent film Weapons on television at a low volume, which reduced the impact of the scares. “I didn’t feel so scared. The theatrical experience could have been massive. OTTs can’t give the experience theatres deliver for horror films,” he explained. He added that a big hero taking on the horror genre could draw massive crowds, saying, “The reach will be massive with a star hero.”
With Korean Kanakaraju, Varun Tej aims to blend scares with laughter, offering a unique theatrical treat. He believes that audiences are ready for fresh content in this space, and this film could be the beginning of a new wave for horror in Telugu cinema. As the release approaches, expectations are high for this genre-bending entertainer to deliver an unforgettable experience on the big screen.