- Friday, May 09, 2025
Bollywood icon Kangana Ranaut makes her Hollywood debut in the spine-chilling horror drama Blessed Be the Evil, co-starring Tyler Posey and Scarlet Rose Stallone, set to begin filming in New York and debut at Cannes Film Market 2025.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Bollywood powerhouse Kangana Ranaut is officially making her Hollywood debut with the upcoming horror drama Blessed Be the Evil, joining a growing list of Indian stars crossing over to international cinema.
The film, produced by Lions Movies, will also feature Tyler Posey of Teen Wolf fame and Scarlet Rose Stallone, daughter of action legend Sylvester Stallone, best known for her role in Tulsa King.
This marks Ranaut’s first leading role in an international project, and the film is already creating buzz ahead of its presentation at the 2025 Cannes Film Market.
Production on Blessed Be the Evil is set to kick off this summer in New York. The filmmakers made a strategic decision to shoot in the United States to avoid potential disruptions from newly announced Trump administration tariffs targeting the entertainment industry. The move highlights the film’s ambition to stay globally competitive while tapping into the American market.
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The horror drama will be directed by Anurag Rudra, known for films like New Me and Tailing Pond. Rudra also co-wrote the script with Gatha Tiwary, president and founder of Lions Movies, who will produce the project alongside him. Acclaimed cinematographer Wade Muller (Elephant White, Occupation: Rainfall) will handle the visual storytelling.
The plot centers on a Christian couple dealing with the emotional aftermath of a miscarriage. Seeking a fresh start, they purchase an abandoned farm with a haunting history. As they settle into their new home, their love and faith are tested by a sinister force that refuses to remain buried.
“Being born and spending my childhood in rural India, I was told stories that got embedded in my mind and heart,” said director Anurag Rudra. “This folklore was so special that I truly believed in all the stories, and wanted to showcase them internationally through the art of cinema – the strongest and most beautiful way to connect to dreams and reality.”
Producer and co-writer Gatha Tiwary emphasized the uniqueness of the film’s narrative. “A story like Blessed Be The Evil is very rare. Lions Movies has developed a spine-chilling narrative with unprecedented suspense and drama. It also has great potential for international markets, both in streaming and selling.”
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Kangana Ranaut brings substantial star power to the table, with an impressive career that includes four National Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards. Known for critically acclaimed performances in films such as Queen and Tanu Weds Manu, she also made her directorial debut with Emergency, a biographical drama in which she portrayed former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The film received a global theatrical release earlier this year. Ranaut is currently serving as a Member of Parliament in India’s Lok Sabha, further highlighting her multi-faceted persona as an actor, director, and politician.
Tyler Posey, a fan-favorite from MTV’s Teen Wolf series and its subsequent revival film, has previously explored horror territory with Truth or Dare. Scarlet Rose Stallone, who starred in Reach Me and recently appeared opposite Nicolas Cage in The Gunslingers, continues to expand her acting range with this intense genre project.
Blessed Be the Evil will be shopped to global buyers at the Cannes Film Market, with London/Stroud Casting managing additional casting selections. The film promises a gripping blend of supernatural horror and emotional depth, poised to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Posey is represented by Independent Artist Group, Luber Roklin Entertainment, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher. Stallone is repped by Independent Artist Group and Untitled Entertainment. Robert Benun of Benunlaw handled legal negotiations for the production.
Lions Movies is also in development on American Import, a gritty crime drama examining family dynamics, sibling rivalry, ambition, corruption, and greed, further signalling the studio’s commitment to powerful, character-driven storytelling with international appeal.
