‘Dahaan’ Unveils ‘First Scare’; Anupam Patnaik’s Horror Film Set for Ganesh Puja Release

Bhubaneswar: The makers of Dahaan – The Evil Within have unveiled the film’s “First Scare”, offering audiences a haunting glimpse into what promises to be one of the most ambitious horror films in Odia cinema.

Scheduled to release in theatres worldwide on September 11, 2026, coinciding with Ganesh Puja, the film is being promoted as a cinematic horror experience crafted exclusively for the big screen.

Sharing the first glimpse, the makers set the tone with an ominous message: “Some nightmares don’t end when you wake up. Some evils don’t hide in the dark. They become the darkness.” The teaser further hints at a terrifying world where “every whisper has a secret, every shadow has a story and every scream has a reason,” promising audiences an immersive journey into fear.

Written and directed by Anupam Patnaik, Dahaan – The Evil Within marks the filmmaker’s long-awaited return to the horror genre. The film is produced by Anupam Patnaik and Barsha Patnaik.

The ensemble cast is led by Barsha Patnaik and features Aurosikha Mishra, Sijan Mohapatra, Partha Sarathi Ray, Choudhury JayPrakash Das, Nishant Majithia, Pranab Prasanna Rath, Navya Jaiti, Prasanjeet Mohapatra, Mohan Majithia, Debadutta Nanda and Amitabh Patra.

For Anupam Patnaik, Dahaan is a deeply personal project. A lifelong admirer of horror cinema, he has said his fascination with the genre began in childhood while watching horror films with his father. His first directorial venture was the television series Horror Zone in 2013, and since then he has aspired to bring a full-fledged horror film to the big screen. Although the film was initially planned for release in 2023, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent commitments delayed its arrival.

The film has also drawn attention for being the first feature film to be shot at the historic Killa Dalijoda, a nearly century-old royal hunting lodge in Odisha. The cast and crew spent more than a month at the heritage property during filming, with the palace’s imposing architecture expected to add authenticity and an eerie atmosphere to the supernatural thriller.

Backed by haunting music from Ashish Pradhan, atmospheric sound design by Shakti Swaroop Dwibedy, editing by Rashmi Ranjan Dash and cinematography by Deepak Kumar, Dahaan – The Evil Within promises a technically rich horror experience. With the “First Scare” now unveiled, anticipation is building for what the makers describe as an intense tale where fear is real and evil shows no mercy.