Lights, camera, Chail! Horror film showcases state’s eerie charm

The serene yet haunting deodar forests of Chail in Himachal Pradesh are now the spine-chilling backdrop of ‘Behind the Mirror’, a psychological horror thriller currently being shot at the historic Chail Palace, managed by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC).

This AB Bansal Production, directed by Prem Thakur, promises to bring a fresh, cerebral twist to Indian horror cinema. Set for a theatrical release in April 2026, the film explores the darker realms of the human psyche through a gripping narrative and haunting visuals. With a stellar cast featuring Swati Semwal, Rajveer Singh, Pooja Pandey, Aashit Chatterjee and Viney Sharma, ‘Behind the Mirror’ aims to leave a lasting impression.

The film is produced by Abhey Bansal and co-produced by Shyna Sunsara. A 20-day shooting schedule is underway at the majestic Chail Palace with seamless coordination by local line producer Vinay (Cherry Films) and project head Kumar Vijay Sippy. Key production members include accountants Charan Singh and Narayan Singh, and production controller Anshika Shivhare.

Dr Rajeev Kumar, Managing Director of HPTDC, visited the set recently to extend his full support to the project. He interacted with the crew, gathered feedback on facilities available at HPTDC hotels, and encouraged the filmmakers to explore other scenic locations across the state. Highlighting the potential of Himachal Pradesh as a cinematic hub, Dr. Kumar emphasised that promoting film tourism could not only bring the state’s beauty to the big screen but also significantly boost the local economy and hospitality sector.

With ‘Behind the Mirror’ tapping into Himachal’s mystical charm, the collaboration between filmmakers and tourism authorities may mark the beginning of a new chapter in the state’s film tourism journey. As the camera rolls in the shadowy corridors of Chail Palace, Himachal’s enigmatic landscapes prepare to make a chilling yet captivating debut in psychological horror.