EXCLUSIVE: Bhay Actor Danish Sood Breaks Down Bollywood Vs Hollywood Paranormal Stories; Says, “Stree, Tumbbad Prove Indian Storytelling Can Deliver Horror”

Actor Danish Pratap Sood has steadily carved a space for himself with memorable performances in films like Meenakshi Sundareshwar and popular web series such as The Fame Game, CAT, and Hostages. Known for his grounded acting and strong screen presence, Danish has impressed audiences across genres. He is now gearing up for his next exciting project, Bhay – The Gaurav Tiwari Mystery, where he stars alongside Karan Tacker and Kalki Koechlin.

In an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Danish spoke about stepping into the intriguing world of the paranormal. He plays Sid (Siddharth Bantwal), a paranormal investigator associated with the Indian Paranormal Society (IPS). The actor opened up about the challenges of portraying a character rooted in real-life investigations and unexplained phenomena. He also shared his thoughts on how Bollywood approaches supernatural stories compared to Hollywood and discussed the preparation that went into bringing authenticity to his role in Bhay. Excerpts:

Bhay – The Gaurav Tiwari Mystery dives into the paranormal genre. Can you tell us about your character and what drew you to this intriguing world of real-life mysteries and investigations with Karan Tacker and Kalki Koechlin? 

I play Sid (Siddharth Bantwal), a paranormal investigator with the Indian Paranormal Society (IPS), founded by Gaurav Tiwari. Sid joins the group after a life-altering supernatural encounter in which he’s visited by a friendly spirit named Bacchua. His character arc is particularly compelling: he evolves from someone who is haunted to someone who helps the haunted carrying out investigations, facilitating hauntings, and ultimately acting as a mediator after Gaurav’s passing. Sid is a real person, and everything depicted about him in the show is based on true events, including his own haunting, which becomes the catalyst for his journey into the paranormal.

I’ve always loved the horror genre, and Bhay stands out as India’s first true paranormal thriller series, showcasing real hauntings investigated by an actual IPS team whom we portray on screen. It’s a compelling, authentic concept that’s simply too strong a pitch to overlook.

Having explored paranormal themes in Bhay, how do you see Bollywood’s take on supernatural stories compared to Hollywood’s approach? Do you think Indian audiences are now more open to realistic paranormal narratives?

Bollywood has really evolved in the way it approaches horror and the supernatural. Films like Stree and Tumbbad have proven that Indian storytelling can deliver horror that’s rooted in our culture, mythology, and societal fears while still being world-class in craft and impact. They’ve shown that audiences aren’t just looking for jump scares anymore; they’re embracing layered narratives, atmosphere, and psychological depth.

I truly believe Indian audiences are now more than ready for realistic paranormal narratives. We’re at a stage where viewers want authenticity—stories like Hereditary or The Conjuring, but with an Indian soul and context. We love the genre, and the box-office performance of our horror films in the last five years clearly reflects that. There’s a huge appetite for well-made, emotionally grounded, genuinely unsettling horror, and it’s exciting to be part of that shift with Bhay.

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The series is inspired by the life of Gaurav Tiwari. Did you do any special research or mental preparation to portray the intensity and realism of such a subject?

We were fortunate that the IPS team shared genuine evidence, case files, and even the actual devices they used during their investigations. They spent time with us on set, guiding us on how to approach paranormal situations with sensitivity, awareness, and respect, which also helped create a sense of emotional security for us.

We also visited locations that had recorded paranormal activity, and that experience was incredibly grounding. It made the subject feel very real, not just cinematic. So there was absolutely a mental and emotional preparation involved, mainly understanding one thing: we’re not there to harm anything, and neither are they. Most of these entities, as we learned, are searching for peace just as much as we are. That perspective really shaped the honesty and intensity of our performance.

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Manisha Karki

Manisha has established a reputation for insightful and engaging storytelling with over six years of expertise in the industry. With a deep passion for cinema, she brings a unique perspective to her coverage, making it a trusted voice in the entertainment world.