The ‘Underbug’ – Richa Chadha and Ali Faizal’s Second Home Production

The Underbug, a psychological thriller, was billed as Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal’s second home production.

Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal are overjoyed when “The Underbug,” their second home film, received favourable reviews at the Slamdance Film Festival in Los Angeles. The movie, which was produced by Pushing Buttons Studios, was accepted into this festival for independent films and received raving reviews from both reviewers and viewers.

Ali and Hussain Dalal play the leading characters in the film, which is directed by Shujaat Saudagar. In late 2020, the movie was filmed while there were lockdowns. In a bungalow located somewhere in the interior of Maharashtra, the movie was extensively filmed. The plot of this psychological suspense novel centres on two characters who seek safety in an abandoned home.

Their debut psychological horror film, “The Underbug,” came from their production company. As a result, it contributed to the cult status of South Asian films in the same genre among an international audience. “The movie received a tremendous reception, and as its makers, we were there to see it,” Richa remarked. For us, it was a particularly proud moment since it represented Indian cinema on such a significant international stage.

The global audience for Indian movies is expanding, making this a fantastic time to be a movie fan. The films in this genre are rather challenging because they cater to a very specific clientele, but the fact that they received such a great reception kind of says it all.

Ali said, “I have not only produced the movie but also acted in it, so I am not just physically involved with the movie but also emotionally. And seeing a response like this is quite heartwarming. The movie was made in very confusing and stressful circumstances. The movie also had the added responsibilities since it was its first screening, and the first reactions were positive, it gave us a lot of confidence.”

Shujaat Saudagar, Abbas Dalal, and Hussain Dalal wrote and produced the film, which was brought to the screen by Vikesh Bhutani, Shujaat Saudagar, and Aman Mann. Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal, Abbas Dalal, and Hussain Dalal are the executive producers.