The upcoming Odia supernatural horror thriller Dahaan: The Evil Within hosted a special screening on September 8, 2026, bringing together prominent names from the regional film industry and beyond. Actress Isha Talwar was among the special guests who graced the screening, adding further star power to an event that brought filmmakers, actors and members of the creative fraternity together. Director and producer Anupam Patnaik, producer Barsha Patnaik and creative team member Sanojj Kumar were also present as the film generated excitement ahead of its theatrical release.
The special screening offered attendees an early look at a film that aims to push the boundaries of Odia horror cinema. Principal cast members including Barsha Nayak, Aurosikha Mishra, Samrat Mahapatra and Partha Sarathi Ray were part of the event, joining the filmmaking team as they presented their ambitious supernatural thriller to audiences and industry guests. The gathering became an important promotional moment for Dahaan, with early reactions highlighting its atmospheric storytelling, sound design and visual presentation.
Directed and written by national award-winning filmmaker Anupam Patnaik, Dahaan: The Evil Within is produced by Barsha Patnaik and Anupam Patnaik under the banner of Amiya Patnaik Productions. The film revolves around an ancient curse and a terrifying supernatural presence, placing a family at the centre of a fight for survival. Its premise combines haunted-house horror with an exorcism-driven narrative, promising an intense experience for audiences who enjoy darker supernatural stories.
The story follows a young girl who accidentally opens a mysterious box inside a haunted mansion, unknowingly unleashing a malicious spirit. She soon becomes possessed by the consuming supernatural force, leaving her siblings desperate to save her. With the situation rapidly spiralling out of control, they join forces with a local pastor and embark on a race against time to perform an exorcism and break the curse before the entity completely takes over the girl. The supernatural premise gives the film plenty of room for suspense, fear and emotional family drama.
The technical team behind Dahaan has also played an important role in shaping its horror atmosphere. Ashish Pradhan has composed the music and background score, while Deepak Kumar serves as the cinematographer. Early reactions from the special screening have reportedly praised the film's international visual quality and gripping sound design, with its atmospheric treatment emerging as one of its key talking points. There is also growing interest in the possibility of the film reaching audiences beyond Odisha through future Hindi dubbing.
The film has received an A certificate, reflecting the intensity of its horror sequences and thematic material. With a cast that includes Barsha Patnaik, Aurosikha Mishra, Partha Sarathi Ray, Samrat Mohapatra and Choudhury Jayaprakash Das, the project represents an ambitious attempt to bring a large-scale supernatural thriller to Odia cinema. The presence of Isha Talwar and other industry personalities at the special screening has further added to the buzz surrounding the film.
Dahaan: The Evil Within is scheduled to hit theatres on September 11, 2026. As the release date approaches, the special screening has given the film an opportunity to build momentum through industry reactions and audience curiosity. With its ancient curse, haunted mansion, possession and exorcism storyline, combined with an experienced creative team and a distinctly atmospheric visual approach, Dahaan is positioning itself as a notable new entry in Odia horror cinema.