Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao is reportedly in talks to star in the Hindi remake of the Telugu horror-comedy Bakasura Restaurant. While there has been no official confirmation, the news has generated considerable buzz among fans of both the actor and the film.
Bakasura Restaurant, directed by SJ Shiva, was released on August 8, 2025, and features Praveen and Harsha Chemudu in lead roles. The film garnered mixed reviews in theaters but found a wider audience and positive reception on OTT platforms.
The Telugu film revolves around Paramesh, a software employee with dreams of opening his own restaurant. He lives with his four friends – Vaman, Sai, Palli, and Bhargav. As Paramesh saves money to fulfill his dream, his friends struggle to find their purpose. Vaman aspires to be a filmmaker, while the others depend on Paramesh's income. Facing financial difficulties, the group resorts to making ghost-hunting videos for YouTube to earn quick money.
During one of their shoots at a palace, they stumble upon a book related to black magic. The story takes a supernatural turn when groceries mysteriously start disappearing from their home. The friends realize that something unseen and hungry is lurking in their kitchen. A wish made by the five youngsters leads them to unveil a supernatural force. The ghost, named Bakasura, is not seeking revenge but is simply obsessed with food, leading to comic chaos as the bachelors try to live their lives while dealing with supernatural interruptions.
If Rajkummar Rao takes on the project, it remains to be seen which role he will play in the remake. The original film features an ensemble cast, including Praveen as Paramesh and Harsha Chemudu as Bakka Suri "Bakasura". Other cast members include Jai Krishna, Vivek Dandu, Amar Lathu, and Shining Phani.
Bakasura Restaurant introduced the new genre of "hunger comedy entertainer," blending horror, thrill, comedy, and emotion through the lens of food obsession. Critics noted that the film had an interesting concept, but the execution was uneven. Some praised the performances of Praveen and Harsha Chemudu, while others pointed out pacing issues and an inconsistent screenplay. Despite its flaws, the film was described as a wholesome family entertainer with heart and humor.
