Govinda’s son Yashvardhan Ahuja Debuts in Sajid Khan’s Horror Film

Govinda’s son Yashvardhan joins Nitanshi Goel in Sajid Khan’s comeback movie, “Hundred.”

A Secret Séance at Film City

What do you do when the world remembers you for a decade of silence and a disastrous streak of slapstick? If you are Sajid Khan, you go back to the dark. On the auspicious morning of Basant Panchami, January 23, 2026, the director who once ruled the box office with the Housefull franchise quietly stepped back onto a set at Mumbai’s Film City. The project is titled Hundred, and it isn’t the loud, neon-colored comedy the industry expected. It is a horror film.

The New Face of the Ahuja Legacy 

The real spark behind Hundred is the debut of Yashvardhan Ahuja. As the son of Govinda—the original “Hero No. 1″—Yashvardhan carries a legacy defined by rhythm and comedic timing. However, his choice of a horror debut suggests a desire to carve a path separate from his father’s slapstick shadow.

He isn’t walking this path alone. His co-star is Nitanshi Goel, a powerhouse who recently swept the Filmfare and IIFA awards for her role in Laapataa Ladies. Pairing a debutant with an actress of Nitanshi’s technical caliber is a brilliant move; it lends immediate artistic credibility to a project that might otherwise be dismissed as a simple “star kid” launch.

Sajid Khan’s Full Circle 

For Sajid Khan, Hundred is a desperate attempt at redemption. After three consecutive hits (Heyy Babyy, Housefull, and Housefull 2), his career spiraled with the double disasters of Himmatwala and Humshakals. This was followed by a prolonged exile during the #MeToo movement in 2018.

Interestingly, Hundred takes Sajid back to his very first directorial effort: the horror anthology Darna Zaroori Hai. By abandoning the bloated budgets of big-ensemble comedies for the atmospheric tension of horror, he is attempting to prove he can still tell a story without relying on a laugh track.

The Production Muscle 

The project isn’t a small-scale indie experiment. It is backed by Amar Butala, the man who helped steer Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Total Dhamaal to success. Furthermore, the involvement of Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms provides a massive safety net.

Balaji is known for its ability to market high-concept horror, making this partnership one of the most calculated collaborations of 2026.

The Art of the Quiet Comeback 

Pundits often argue that a comeback should be loud and proud. Hundred proves the opposite:

1. Lower the Stakes with Horror: Comedy requires a “likable” director to land a joke. Horror requires only a “scary” atmosphere. For a director with a tarnished public image, the technical demands of horror are a safer harbor than the social demands of comedy.
2. The Talent Buffer: By casting Nitanshi Goel, the production ensures the focus remains on the acting rather than the ancestry of Yashvardhan.
3. Secret Starts Build Intrigue: In an era of instant social media leaks, keeping a shoot “secret” until the first day is finished creates a narrative of focus and discipline.

Summary of Key Takeaways

• Yashvardhan Ahuja makes his debut in a genre shift away from his father’s comedic roots.
• Sajid Khan returns to directing after a 12-year hiatus from successful filmmaking.
• Nitanshi Goel provides the “awards-season” prestige to the cast.
• Balaji Telefilms secures the film’s distribution and commercial weight.