Ghosts, love and clichés galore: Five Bollywood horror flicks that embrace camp with glee

Whether it’s over-the-top performances or bizarre special effects, these films are perfect if you love to hatewatch

KARACHI:

If you’re the type who thrives on cinema’s weirdest concoctions, where screams blend with laughter and terror meets hilarity, Bollywood has a treasure trove of horror flicks just for you. Here’s a guide to five of the strangest, most entertaining horror films from the Hindi film industry. These are perfect for those nights when you want to revel in cinematic absurdity and chuckle at over-the-top scares. 

1. Sangharsh (1999)

Sangharsh is an odd mix of The Silence of the Lambs meets Bollywood melodrama. Directed by Tanuja Chandra, the film features Akshay Kumar as Professor Aman Varma, a character loosely based on Hannibal Lecter, and Preity Zinta as a young CBI officer Reet Oberoi. The film’s plot revolves around the hunt for a child-kidnapping occultist, played by Ashutosh Rana, whose performance oscillates between chilling and comical. 

Who can ever truly forget Ashutosh, clad in a red sari, letting out blood-curdling screams with that uncanny hand-to-mouth gesture? This, right there is the stuff of nightmares that the best of Hollywood craves to replicate — even if it will likely leave you more bewildered than scared. With its melodramatic dialogues and absurdly intense sequences, Sangharsh is a perfect pick for those who enjoy their horror with a side of hearty laughs.

2. Krishna Cottage (2004)

When Ekta Kapoor decided to venture into horror, she gave us Krishna Cottage, a film so rich in clichés, it’s almost charming. Directed by Santram Varma, the film stars Sohail Khan, Isha Koppikar, and Anita Hassanandani. It’s a classic ghost story set in a haunted college cottage with a love triangle thrown into the mix. 

More funny than frightening, the film is replete with dramatic fog, spooky background music and sudden ghost appearances. The real joy of Krishna Cottage lies in its predictability and how earnestly it tries to scare, making it a delightful watch for horror aficionados who love to roll their eyes at familiar tropes.

Hosting the hit song Suna Suna by Shreya Ghoshal that embellished many of our playlists once, do not be fooled by its mellow romance. Do fear because no spoilers but those who remember cannot easily forget the one gruesome death by a livid, possessed wall for reading the cursed Kahi Unkahi Baatein and that one corpse being dangling atop a phone booth. 

3. Makdee (2002)

Makdee is a film that straddles the line between children’s fantasy and horror. Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj — yes the directorial talent behind Maqbool and Haider — this film features Shabana Azmi in an unforgettable role as the witch, Makdee. The story follows a young girl, Chunni (Shweta Basu Prasad), who gets entangled with the witch to save her twin sister, Munni. 

Azmi’s performance as Makdee is a blend of campy and creepy, making her both terrifying and oddly amusing. Suffice it to say, this film traumatised many children, making them wary of sibling rivalries for fear of being turned into a chicken surrounded by butchers. The film’s eccentricity is amplified by its peculiar setting and quirky characters, making Makdee a unique addition to your watchlist.

4. Purana Mandir (1984)

No list of Bollywood’s bizarre horror is complete without mentioning the Ramsay Brothers’ classic, Purana Mandir. This 1984 film is a roller-coaster of laughs and screams, featuring everything from ancient curses to bloodthirsty demons. The story revolves around a family curse placed by the demon Samri, played with gleeful wickedness by Anirudh Agarwal. 

The film marked Mohnish Bahl's first commercial success, who looks delightfully young in this. It also features Asha Bhosle's iconic (and haunting) Woh Beete Din Yaad Hai — a typical Ramsey brothers’ cheat code: to churn out campy B-grade horror flicks with banging soundtracks.

The special effects are delightfully cheesy, the acting is wonderfully hammy, and the plot is a delicious mix of horror clichés. In many ways, Purana Mandir leads Ramsay Brothers’ legacy of creating films that are as much fun to mock as they are to watch.

5. Ek Thi Daayan (2013)

Ek Thi Daayan attempts to blend psychological horror with supernatural elements but ends up being a confusing mix of thrills and unintended humour — making it a perfect addition to this list. Directed by Kannan Iyer and produced by Ekta Kapoor, the film stars Emraan Hashmi as a famous magician who is haunted by a daayan (witch) from his past. 

Konkona Sen Sharma, Huma Qureshi, and Kalki Koechlin play the enigmatic women in his life, each with their own mysterious aura. The film’s convoluted plot and bizarre special effects provide ample material for a night of amused bewilderment. For many gullible children, Ek Thi Daayan was an exercise in caution even if it meant trying to chop off any long, unsuspecting braids in sight. 

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