Horror films now a genre to watch
Bollywood has always flirted with horror, but the genre is now having a full-blown moment. With a growing number of hits and big stars embracing the spooky screen, horror — and its many subgenres — is proving to be one of the most bankable, creatively rich, and socially resonant genres in Indian cinema today
April’s release calendar alone featured three horror titles — Chhorii 2, Odela 2, and the upcoming Bhootni. In 2024, films like Shaitaan, Stree 2, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and Munjya scored big at the box office, with Stree 2 becoming the highest-grossing horror film of all time.
Riding on this wave, Maddock Films has announced a slate of eight horror comedies, including Thama starring Rashmika Mandanna and Ayushmann Khurrana, and sequels like Bhediya 2 with Varun Dhawan, and Stree 3.
Director Vishal Furia (Chhorii) believes horror always had an audience — it just lacked vision. “Earlier, horror was templated and seen as an easy money-making genre. But producers now realize Indian folklore or horror rooted in social realities resonates deeply with audiences,” he says.
Once dismissed as “low art” due to clichéd jump scares and cheap effects, horror is now being reimagined with richer narratives and serious intent.
When horror mirrors real-world horrors
Vikram Malhotra, founder of Abundantia Entertainment, says the genre is evolving to offer both entertainment and thought-provoking commentary. “With Chhori, we tackled societal evils like female infanticide and gender inequality. Horror can reflect the ugliness we often ignore.”
Mainstream appeal and star power
What’s changed drastically is who’s fronting these stories. A-listers and critically acclaimed actors alike are stepping into horror roles — Tabu, Vidya Balan, and Kartik Aaryan (Bhool Bhulaiyaa), Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao (Stree), Janhvi Kapoor (Roohi), Soha Ali Khan and Nushrratt Bharuccha (Chhorii).
Actor Soha Ali Khan finds horror both challenging and meaningful. “Women often carry the moral weight in stories, and horror lets us confront and challenge those labels. It’s a genre that allows actors to step out of their comfort zones while telling stories with depth,” she says.
What’s ahead?
While the genre is booming, Malhotra feels India still hasn’t explored horror in its purest, scariest form. “We’re experimenting more with horror-comedy and fantasy, but there’s untapped potential in the truly paranormal space,” he says. “Horror also works economically — it’s not reliant on big stars, but on strong scripts and visionary creators. In times of uncertainty, it’s a genre that connects across social and economic lines — because fear is universal.”
