TVF Expands Horizons: Sci-Fi Films, Horror Shows, and More on the Horizon

Summary- The Viral Fever (TVF), known for popular shows like “Panchayat,” “Gullak,” and “Kota Factory,” is venturing into feature films and exploring new genres such as sci-fi, horror, and thrillers. Shreyansh Pandey, head of TVF Originals, revealed that the company plans to produce more shows in 2024, building on their 2023 output of 15 shows. TVF also teased upcoming seasons of fan favorites and new projects. Reflecting on their 14-year journey, Pandey expressed pride in their achievements and gratitude for audience support, emphasizing the importance of continuous innovation in their storytelling.

Mumbai — After a string of successful shows like “Panchayat,” “Gullak,” and “Kota Factory,” The Viral Fever (TVF) is set to expand its creative pursuits into the realm of feature films and new genres in long-format storytelling. Shreyansh Pandey, the head of TVF Originals, shared the company’s ambitious plans in a recent interview.

TVF started as a YouTube channel and has since grown into a powerhouse in the Indian streaming space, known for its relatable stories that capture the essence of various Indian demographics. From the rural backdrop of “Panchayat” to the middle-class dynamics in “Gullak” and the intense academic pressure in “Kota Factory,” TVF’s content has resonated widely with audiences.

“We will keep making shows to entertain people. The next exciting step in our journey would be to make films. There are a couple of films that TVF content studio is working on. We are doing a lot of homework. We are in the process of starting new stuff,” said Pandey. He highlighted the company’s commitment to expanding its genre repertoire, including ventures into sci-fi, horror, and thriller.

Pandey also hinted at more seasons of beloved series like “Panchayat” and “Kota Factory,” alongside the second season of the sports drama “Sixer.” TVF’s prolific production rate is set to continue, with plans to exceed the 15 shows they produced in 2023. “We hope to do more shows. We’ve a list of 35 to 40 shows which are in different phases of development, pre-production to production, and how much of it gets executed is a factor of many things.”

Reflecting on the anticipation for the fourth season of “Gullak,” which debuted on SonyLIV, Pandey shared his mixed feelings of nervousness and pride. The series, featuring Geetanjali Kulkarni, Jameel Khan, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, and Harsh Mayar, follows the Mishra family’s life in a small Uttar Pradesh town. Initially intended as a YouTube show for Screen Patti, “Gullak” found a home on SonyLIV, where it has garnered significant acclaim.

“When you are making season four of the title, then you’re always confused how much of it has to be new or how much of it has to be a return from the love for the characters and the universe that you’ve built,” Pandey explained. His debut as a director in “Gullak 4” adds another layer to his deep involvement with the series.

Pandey emphasized the rigorous process behind the creation of TVF’s content, especially the writing. “The only way to do it right is to go over your script again and again, rewrite it, and narrate it to a bunch of people. Our strength comes from the litmus test wherein we are narrating scripts to our creative forum, that’s within TVF. We derive our confidence and learnings from that, we take feedback, we rewrite and incorporate and narrate again.”

Looking back on TVF’s 14-year journey, Pandey described it as “very exciting, incredible and happening,” expressing pride in the creation of over 20 fan-favorite shows. He credited the audience’s unwavering love for TVF’s success. “The love pouring in, the subsequent seasons getting made, the memes that flow, the characters that people start loving, all these are matrix for us to believe that the story is working and the characters are being loved by people.”

Initially, there were doubts about whether viewers would pay to watch TVF content on YouTube, but these questions only fueled the company’s determination to innovate. “Those constructive interference or questions helped us broaden the content pipeline. We’ve always believed in the idea of trying to push the envelope and make something new,” Pandey said.

As TVF steps into the future, its commitment to storytelling remains steadfast, promising audiences more of the unique and engaging content that has become its hallmark.