Marking his directorial debut, Kussh S Sinha says Nikita Roy breaks Bollywood’s formula trap with a unique genre blend and grounded characters.
June 23, 2025 | Entertainment Desk, Kussh S Sinha, son of veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha and brother to actress Sonakshi Sinha, is set to make his directorial debut with Nikita Roy, a supernatural mystery-thriller releasing on June 27, the same day as Kajol’s Maa. Despite the box office face-off, Kussh says he is confident his film will shine on its own merit, offering viewers something “new, grounded, and genre-bending.”
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🎬 “You Can’t Be Noticed Without Something New”
Speaking about his journey from assistant director to first-time filmmaker, Kussh said directing is a “completely different ballgame” where he had to manage far more than he ever did as an AD. “When you enter any industry and want to be recognised, you must offer something fresh,” he said. With Nikita Roy, he has chosen to defy convention: “It’s a mixed-genre film. Supernatural, mystery, and drama—with characters that are real and driven by reasons.”
🧟♂️ On Bollywood’s “Formula” Trap
At a time when Bollywood faces criticism for stale storytelling, Kussh insists Nikita Roy was consciously built outside the usual template. “We knew we couldn’t follow a formula. Audiences are smart and demand freshness. The trailer itself gives glimpses of suspense, horror and mystery. We want to surprise them.”
🎟️ Box Office: “Films Don’t Fail, Budgets Do”
Despite his creative focus, Kussh is realistic about commercial pressures. “Box office numbers matter,” he admitted. “Producers invest their money and mind, so we must be mindful of that. But success is ultimately in the hands of the people. We’ve kept the budget reasonable to ensure viability. As they say in Hollywood—films don’t fail, budgets do.”
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🎥 On The Clash With Kajol’s Maa
Unfazed by the upcoming clash, Kussh said Nikita Roy and Maa target different sensibilities. “Maa is backed by Ajay Devgn sir and features Kajol ma’am. But it’s pure horror. Ours is a supernatural mystery, more layered and less about jump scares. I believe both films can do well in their own spaces.”
🌟 Casting Rawal & Rampal: “We Got Lucky”
Revealing how he brought veterans like Paresh Rawal and Arjun Rampal on board, Kussh said Rawal’s character—a spiritual figure named Amar Dev—immediately clicked with the actor. “He wants roles that challenge his craft. We were lucky to get him.”
Arjun Rampal’s casting was last-minute: “Even after reaching London, we didn’t have Arjun sir locked in. Just days before his shoot, he confirmed. It all fell into place.”
Nikita Roy, produced under the Sinha family banner, stars Sonakshi Sinha in the titular role, going head-to-head with Rawal’s enigmatic character. With Kussh stepping into the director’s chair for the first time, all eyes are now on how this genre-bending debut performs both critically and commercially.
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Nikita Roy, Kussh S Sinha, Sonakshi Sinha, Paresh Rawal, Arjun Rampal, Bollywood Directorial Debut, Supernatural Thriller, Nikita Roy vs Maa, Bollywood June Releases, Kajol, Maa Movie, Vishal Furia, Box Office Clash