Aayush Sharma has been roped in for a pivotal role in Ragini 3, the latest installment of Ekta Kapoor’s iconic horror franchise, opposite lead Tamannaah Bhatia. Directed by Shashanka Ghosh (Veere Di Wedding), the supernatural thriller marks a fresh chapter for the series, moving beyond its erotic-horror roots toward suspense, humor, and high-concept scares designed as a “date night horror” experience.
The ensemble boasts Junaid Khan and Nargis Fakhri, with Tamannaah’s character reportedly weaving romantic threads with both Aayush and Junaid. Nargis plays a tough police officer, adding investigative edge to the supernatural plot. Production hit snags with an earlier director exit but resumes pre-production for a July 2026 shoot start, eyeing late-year theatrical release under Balaji Motion Pictures.
Unlike Ragini MMS (2011) and Ragini MMS 2 (2014)’s bold sensuality starring Sunny Leone and Kajol, Ragini 3 pivots to glossy thrills. Tamannaah, fresh off VVAN: Force of the Forest and South successes like Jailer, brings pan-India appeal. Aayush, Salman Khan’s brother-in-law, steps up post-Antim and Kwatha, embracing a “new avatar” in genre fare—his first major horror outing signaling commercial ambition amid Salman family scrutiny.
Junaid (Maharaj, Deva) continues bold picks post-Laal Singh Chaddha, while Nargis returns post-Hindi hiatus. Ghosh’s quirky style promises tonal balance, blending scares with rom-com vibes.
Aayush’s dual 2026 slate—Ragini 3 plus Sohail Khan’s My Punjabi Nikaah with Sanjay Dutt—marks his busiest phase, shedding “star kid” tags through diverse roles. Fans buzz: “Aayush in horror? Game changer!” Ekta’s franchise revival taps post-Stree 2 horror craze, positioning Ragini 3 for multiplex pulls.
With Tamannaah’s glamour anchoring, this cast fusion eyes ₹100 crore potential, reviving Balaji’s supernatural legacy for Gen Z dates