Bhootam Bhayyam actor exclusive interview: For influencer Karan Sonawane, the journey from creating content with a camera and a few simple ideas to starring in a feature film alongside the same friends has been both surreal and deeply personal. Having built a loyal fan following through years of digital content, Karan has stepped into a new chapter with Bhootam Bhayyam, his debut film as a lead.
The horror-comedy has allowed him to explore a side of his personality and performance that audiences have rarely seen. In an exclusive conversation with Filmibeat Assistant Editor Abhishek Ranit, Karan Sonawane got candid about his big screen debut.
From adapting to the demands of a feature film to perfecting his cigarette-smoking entry inspired by his admiration for Shah Rukh Khan, Karan opened up about the making of the film. He bared his heart out as he spoke fondly about working with close friends, the growing influence of digital creators in regional cinema, and his ambitions beyond comedy.
Here are excerpts from the interview
Q- You’ve entertained audiences online for years. Did you ever imagine that your journey would eventually lead to starring together in a feature film?
Karan Sonawane: Honestly, I always hoped my talent would take me to new places, but I never imagined it would happen like this-with the same group of friends I started creating content with. I began in 2015 with simple ideas, a camera, and a lot of passion. To now see all of us sharing the big screen together feels incredibly special. It’s proof that if you stay consistent, opportunities find you.
Q- What does Bhootam Bhayyam mean to you personally? Does it feel like a dream realised or just the beginning of a new chapter?
Karan Sonawane: It’s both. This film is the culmination of years of hard work, but it also feels like the beginning of a new phase. As someone who enjoys storytelling, getting the opportunity to be part of a feature film has expanded my perspective. It has made me even more excited about exploring different formats in the future.
Q- This is your acting debut as a lead. What was the biggest difference between performing for social media and acting for a feature film?
Karan Sonawane: Social media is immediate. You create, perform, edit, and upload within a short span of time. A feature film is much more layered. Every scene requires patience, continuity, and collaboration with a large team. I had to think less like a content creator and more like an actor serving the story. That shift was both challenging and rewarding because this time, I had to engage the audience for two hours and 33 minutes, and not just 90 seconds.
Q- Was there a moment on set when you realised, “We’re actually making a movie”?
Karan Sonawane: Honestly, I was completely locked into the process and didn’t have the time to realise it while we were shooting. It felt surreal, and I truly felt it only after watching myself on the big screen for the first time on the premiere day.
Q- Horror-comedy is a genre that depends heavily on timing. Did your years of making comedy content help while shooting the film?
Karan Sonawane: Absolutely. Creating comedy online teaches you rhythm and timing because every second matters. That instinct definitely helped. But horror-comedy adds another layer because you also have to build tension before releasing it with humour.
The best part was that this film explored another side of my potential and emotions, which is something my audience had never seen in my content before.
Q- Working with close friends sounds fun, but it can also be challenging. Were there creative disagreements, and how did you resolve them?
Karan Sonawane: Creative disagreements are inevitable when everyone cares deeply about the work. The good thing is that we’ve spent years creating together, so we understand each other’s thought processes. We discuss, debate, and sometimes argue, but there’s always mutual respect. The focus has never been on proving who’s right-it has always been about what’s best for the story.
Q- Marathi digital creators have built a strong community over the years. Do you think Bhootam Bhayyam represents a milestone for creator-led storytelling in regional cinema?
Karan Sonawane: I genuinely think it does. Regional creators have shown that authentic content creation can build loyal audiences. If Bhootam Bhayyam encourages more creators to dream beyond digital platforms and inspires filmmakers to collaborate with them, that would be a wonderful outcome.
Hopefully, this is just the beginning of many such stories and will open a lot of doors for creators who are phenomenal actors.
Q- Today, creators are increasingly becoming actors and filmmakers. Do you think audiences are more open than ever to seeing digital talent on the big screen?
Karan Sonawane: Definitely. Audiences today judge you by your performance, not by where you started. If you’re sincere and deliver a good story, they’ll support you. I think that’s one of the best changes we’ve seen in the entertainment industry over the last few years.
Q- What’s one behind-the-scenes story from Bhootam Bhayyam that fans would be surprised to hear?
Karan Sonawane: I smoked two packets of cigarettes just to get ready for my entry sequence. The difficult part was that I don’t know how to smoke, but this was a dream because I’m a huge Shah Rukh Khan fan. I was perfecting the exhale of smoke, and every time the director said “cut”, I used to cough like an old man.
Since it’s a horror-comedy, were there any genuinely spooky moments while shooting?
Karan Sonawane: We filmed in some old locations during late-night schedules, and the atmosphere itself was enough to make everyone a little uneasy. But during promotions, we got to know that the location was actually haunted, and the director knew about it but chose not to tell anyone.
We used to hear noises but ignored them. Later, the director told us that the noises were similar to the things he had heard from the locals when he had come for the recce.
After Bhootam Bhayyam, do you see yourself balancing films and digital content, or do you want to explore more acting opportunities?
Karan Sonawane: I’d love to continue doing both. Digital content is where I found my voice as a storyteller, and I’ll always enjoy creating for that space. At the same time, films have opened a new creative avenue, and I’d love to explore more acting opportunities in cinema and different shades of myself, especially as a vicious villain.
If you could manifest one dream collaboration-whether with a filmmaker or actor-who would it be and why?
Karan Sonawane: I’d love to collaborate with Nagraj Manjule because I admire how he blends raw humour, emotion, and social commentary so effortlessly.
As an actor, working with Shah Rukh Khan has been a childhood dream. My Instagram bio says it all.
What do you hope audiences take away from Bhootam Bhayyam after they leave the theatre?
Karan Sonawane: I hope they feel that their time and money were worth it. If they laugh, connect with the characters, and enjoy the journey with their friends and family, we’ve done our job. That is bigger than any award.
The film is receiving great reviews from audiences and critics alike. How does it feel to get so much love for your debut film?
Karan Sonawane: It’s an incredibly satisfying feeling because this film represents years of dreaming, learning, and taking chances. As debutants, there’s always uncertainty about how people will receive your work. Making the world believe that creators have more than you imagine has been a big part of this journey.
Seeing audiences enjoy the film and critics appreciate our performances is both humbling and motivating.
What makes it even more special is that this isn’t just an individual achievement-it’s something our entire team has experienced together. We’ve grown from making digital content with limited resources to sharing the big screen, and this love reassures us that honest and genuine work always finds its way.
