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.
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?