A Bit of a Stranger

Shaitaan (transl. Devil) is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language supernatural psychological horror film directed by Vikas Bahl and produced by Devgn Films, Jio Studios, and Panorama Studios. It stars Ajay Devgn, R. Madhavan, Jyothika, Janki Bodiwala, and Anngad Raaj. An adaptation of the 2023 Gujarati film Vash which also starred Bodiwala, Shaitaan revolves around a family which finds trouble when their daughter falls under the spell of black magic cast by a stranger, and they set out to stop the possession and uncover the stranger's motives. The film was officially announced in May 2023, and was entirely shot within the next three months in Dehradun and London. This is Jyothika's comeback to Bollywood since her debut film Doli Saja Ke Rakhna (1998). Shaitaan was theatrically released on 8 March 2024, coinciding with Maha Shivaratri, to positive reviews from critics, with particular praise going towards the performances of Devgn, Madhavan and Bodiwala. Grossing ₹211.06 crore worldwide on an estimated budget of ₹60-65 crore, the film ranks as the fifth highest-grossing Hindi film of 2024. A sequel is in the scripting stage.