Tia Bajpai and Arian Romal’s horror music video draws nearly 10 million views on Instagram despite YouTube restrictions
Mumbai: Tia Bajpai and Arian Romal’s ‘FANAA’ is drawing attention for pushing the music-video format into the horror genre, with the project now facing an 18+ age restriction on YouTube.
Presented by its makers as India’s first-ever horror music video, ‘FANAA’ combines haunting music, disturbing visuals and a dark narrative designed to create an experience closer to a horror short film than a conventional music video.
The YouTube restriction has emerged as an unexpected challenge for the makers. According to the team, the video is currently not being widely surfaced to viewers on the platform, meaning audiences need to be logged in, above 18 and specifically search for the song to watch it.
“We have had lots of issues with YouTube and everywhere else with the 18+ tag being put on it. We were also told that it’s too scary to watch for viewers. We wanted to make the scariest music video, and we did. Now we are seeing the downside of it. Since the video is not being shown to users, the only way people can watch it is if they are logged in, over 18 and specifically searching for the song. It’s kind of cool, but also bad in the same way,” the makers said.
Instagram response contrasts with YouTube restrictions
While the YouTube restriction has affected the video’s reach on the platform, ‘FANAA’ has received a strong response on Instagram. The full video has already crossed nearly 10 million views on the platform, according to the makers.
The contrasting response has added another dimension to the project’s release, with the 18+ classification itself becoming part of the conversation around the video.
For a music video deliberately created to test the limits of horror, the restriction has also become an unexpected talking point for the makers.
Tia Bajpai returns to horror
Tia Bajpai takes centre stage in ‘FANAA’, returning to a genre closely associated with her screen image. Her performance forms the emotional and narrative core of the video, as the story unfolds through a series of mysterious and unsettling sequences.
Speaking about the experience, Bajpai said the project required her to approach it differently from a conventional music video.
“Shooting FANAA was a completely different experience for me because we were trying to create something that feels like more than just a music video. The atmosphere, the visuals and the emotions of the character required me to completely immerse myself in that world. There were moments on set that were genuinely intense, but that is also what made the experience exciting and memorable,” she said.
Bajpai added that the horror elements are supported by an emotional layer within the story.
“I think audiences will connect with FANAA because beneath the horror and suspense, there is a strong emotional layer to the story. It keeps you curious, makes you feel something and hopefully stays with you even after the video ends,” she added.
Haunting music meets disturbing visuals
Arian Romal’s music forms a key part of the video’s atmosphere, with haunting melodies accompanying dark and unsettling visuals. The makers have used music, suspense and horror elements together to give ‘FANAA’ a cinematic treatment.
The project also comes with warnings encouraging viewers not to watch the video alone and to “keep the lights on.” The approach reflects the makers’ stated intention of creating a deliberately intense horror experience rather than a conventional music release.
With the full video nearing the 10-million-view mark on Instagram despite the challenges surrounding its YouTube availability, ‘FANAA’ is continuing to attract attention from both music and horror audiences.
The project’s reception also highlights the changing space of music videos, where artists and creators are increasingly experimenting with narrative-driven formats, genre storytelling and cinematic visuals.
