Play Network acquires rights to Karishika

Charles Okpaleke, the multi-award-winning Nigerian filmmaker and founder of Play Network, has acquired IP rights to Nollywood classic Karishika.

The 1996 Nigerian horror film, directed by Christian Onu, tells the story of a girl who was sent by Lucifer into the world to kill, destroy and tempt people in order to increase the population in hell.

Okpaleke took to Instagram to say: “Karishika is back… I’m putting together a team of horror filmmakers… with relevant skills that I can work with. I acquired the IP rights to Karishika and I wish to work with creatives specialised in horror films.”

Details about Okpaleke’s plans for Karishika are yet to be announced, but the expectation is that a remake or spin-off is on the cards.

Reboots are a key part of Play Network’s content strategy after Okpaleke acquired the IP rights to 1992 Nollywood hit Living in Bondage to produce a sequel in 2015. In 2020, Okpaleke also remade 1995 thriller Rattlesnake as Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story.