Vir Das on his sophomore film after Happy Patel: 'Will hopefully make a pure horror movie next'

Vir Das debuted as a director with Happy Patel but is now pivoting to pure horror. After a 2021 controversy stalled his career, he used the isolation to write Emmy-winning work and new films.

Vir Das (Courtesy: Netflix)

When you think of Vir Das, the first thing that probably comes to mind is his sense of humour. However, the International Emmy-winning comedian never fails to shock. Aamir Khan Productions' spy comedy Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos served as his directorial debut in 2026, and he plans to release his second feature later this year.

Will Vir Das stick to his comedy roots for his next directorial?

In his first feature film as director, Das reunited with Delhi Belly co-star Imran Khan for a whimsical action-comedy that premiered on January 16, 2026. But with his second feature, the director plans to do away with jokes altogether.

"I will hopefully make a pure horror movie next; not comedy at all," he told mid-day. The actor-comedian said, "I hope so," in response to a question about whether he will act in the film like he did in Happy Patel.

ALSO READ: Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos review - Vir Das turns a bumbling spy mission into a brilliant meta-tribute to Bollywood that’s as sharp on stereotypes as it is silly on slapstick

How did Two Indias change Vir Das' career?

Das has been dedicating a significant amount of time to the untitled film. In 2021, Das delivered a contentious monologue titled Two Indias which was a scathing critique of the country's progressive ideals and their backward realities. A portion of the Indian people found his comments offensive during his performance at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, D.C. which caused an enormous uproar. As a result, he was temporarily suspended from his professional duties in India and faced many legal complaints.

Despite his career reaching its lowest point, Das capitalised on it in his writing. While he was involuntarily unable to work, he produced some of his most celebrated works, such as the Netflix special Landing that won him an International Emmy for Best Comedy in 2023.

How was the horror film idea born for Vir Das?

Das recalled the inspiration for the horror film and thought back on the professional seclusion he felt after the backlash in 2021. He went on to say, "I had a controversy [after which] no one would work with me for two years. We had a live tour, and 192 brands said no to us. I had signed three acting projects; [they] went away. So, I sat on my bum for two years. The bright side is that it gave me time to write a comedy special [Landing] that won an [International] Emmy. It gave me time to write the next three things that I will make."

Unlike his impending horror project, which harkens back to Das' quieter years, Happy Patel saw him navigating the high-stakes world of mainstream Bollywood production, which included 28 focus groups conducted by Aamir Khan.

How does Vir Das combat trolls?

Even if the controversy has passed, he has discovered his method to combat the trolls and divided reactions that frequently accompany his work. The actor concluded by saying, "There are days when I believe that it’s a trade-off. It’s the price of all the love that I receive. Things like this are the price of the global audience you have, and you have to be willing to pay the tax."

Vir Das FAQs:

Q: What is Vir Das’s first movie as a director?

A: Vir Das made his directorial debut with the film Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, which was released in theatres on January 16, 2026. The film is a spy action-comedy produced by Aamir Khan Productions and features a cast including Mona Singh, Mithila Palkar, and the return of actor Imran Khan.

Q: What is Vir Das’s upcoming horror movie about?

A: Following the release of his first comedy-drama, Vir Das has announced that his second directorial project will be a "pure horror" movie.

Q: Did Vir Das win an International Emmy Award?

A: Yes, Vir Das won the International Emmy Award for Best Comedy in 2023 for his Netflix special, Landing. He shared the award in a historic tie with the British sitcom Derry Girls. This was his second nomination, following a 2021 nod for his special Vir Das: For India.

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