Dinesh Vijan, the creative force behind Maddock Films, isn’t content just sticking with what’s already worked. After hits like Stree, Bhediya, Munjya, and now Thamma, he’s ready to push the studio’s signature horror-comedy universe, the MHCU, somewhere it’s never gone before. The team’s now cooking up a new film powered by AI, and it’s set to join the roster.

From the start, with Stree, Vijan and his crew built their universe on a mix of folklore and sharp humor. They didn’t just stumble into success, they planned it. Ayushmann Khurrana even said, “They don’t want to randomly make films. They have a certain plan.” This AI project? It’s another step forward, a way to stretch what’s possible in their universe.

Right now, the AI film’s still in the works. Sources say it’s developing alongside big titles like Bhediya 2, Stree 3, Shakti Shalini (starring Aneet Padda), and Chamunda (with Alia Bhatt). Someone close to the project put it simply: “Work on the AI film will go on simultaneously. If it lands, it may prove to be path-breaking for Hindi cinema.” Still, the main focus for now is Shakti Shalini, which starts rolling early next year.

But why does this move matter? Horror-comedy thrives on what’s weird and unexpected, and AI opens up a whole new playground. It lets filmmakers rethink what creeps us out or makes us laugh in a world obsessed with tech. It’s also smart business, bringing in AI and digital themes could pull in new fans, not just those who love ghost stories from old legends. The MHCU’s already proven it can grow: Munjya, the third entry, pulled in ₹130 crore worldwide on a budget of just ₹30 crore. So, weaving in AI isn’t just about chasing trends. It shows the universe is alive, always ready to try something new.

Of course, a lot of details are still under wraps. No word yet on the director, cast, or even if the AI angle will go full-on sci-fi or stick to pure horror. Blending something this new into a beloved universe takes guts and the right touch. Go too far, and you risk losing the fans who love what’s already there. And if they lean hard into AI-driven effects or storytelling, budgets and risks shoot up, especially in an industry where audiences change fast.

So, what should MHCU fans keep an eye on? First, how Shakti Shalini shapes up as that’s the next one out of the gate. Then, any big Maddock announcements about the AI film’s team or storyline. And, maybe most interesting, how they’ll actually tie this AI story into the rest of the universe. Is it a fresh start, a crossover, or a new thread that sets up the next wave of films?

By putting the usual horror-comedy formula on pause and diving into an AI-driven story, Dinesh Vijan and Maddock Films are basically saying: get ready, this universe is evolving. The idea’s still coming together, but the message is clear, they want to keep things bold, current, and surprising. If they pull it off, this could be a real game-changer for both the MHCU and Hindi supernatural comedy as a whole.