Five Bollywood horror films that embrace camp with glee

KARACHI:

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

1. Sangharsh (1999)

Sangars it’s a weird mix of 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 young CBI officer Reet Oberoi. The film’s plot revolves around the hunt for an occultist who kidnaps children, played by Ashutosh Rana, whose performance oscillates between creepy and comedic.

Who can ever truly forget Ashutosh, clad in a red sari, letting out blood-curdling screams with that strange hand-to-mouth gesture? That, right there is the stuff of nightmares that Hollywood’s finest yearn to reproduce — even if they’re likely to leave you more bewildered than scared. With its melodramatic dialogues and absurd intense sequences, Sangars is a perfect choice for those who enjoy their horror with a hearty laugh.

2. Krishna Cottage (2004)

When Ekta Kapoor decided to venture into horror, she gave us krishna cottage, a film so rich in cliches, 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 in the mix.

More funny than scary, the film is filled with dramatic fog, eerie background music and sudden apparitions of ghosts. His real joy Krishna cottage it lies in its predictability and how earnestly it tries to scare, making it an enjoyable watch for horror fans who love to roll their eyes at familiar tropes.

Presentation of the hit song Shuna Shuna from Shreya Ghoshal who graced many of our playlists once upon a time, don’t be fooled by her sweet romance. Be afraid because no spoilers but those who remember can’t easily forget the one gruesome death by a cursed wall to read the cursed Kahi Unkahi Baatein and that corpse hanging over 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 a witch, Makdee. The story follows a young girl, Chunni (Shweta Basu Prasad), who tangles with the witch to save her twin sister, Munni.

Azmi’s performance as Makdee it’s a mix of campy and creepy, making it scary and weirdly fun. Suffice it to say, this movie traumatized a lot of kids, making them wary of sibling rivalries for fear of turning into a chicken surrounded by butchers. The eccentricity of the film is enhanced by its strange setting and quirky characters, making Makdee a unique addition to your watchlist.

4. Purana Mandir (1984)

No list of weird Bollywood horror is complete without mentioning the Ramsay brothers’ classic, Purana Mandir. This 1984 film is a rollercoaster 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 malevolence by Anirudh Agarwal.

The film marked the first commercial success of Mohnish Bahl, who looks delightfully young in it. It also features the iconic (and haunting) Asha Bhosle Woh Beete Din Yaad Hai — a typical Ramsey brothers cheat code: to create B-grade horror movies with sound bites.

The special effects are delightfully cheesy, the acting is wonderfully hammy, and the plot is a great mix of horror clichés. In many ways, Purana Mandir carries on the Ramsay Brothers legacy of creating movies that are as fun to make fun of as they are to watch.

5. Ek Thi Daayan (2013)

Ek Thi Daayan attempts to combine psychological horror with supernatural elements, but ends up being a confusing mix of thrills and unintentional humor — 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 intricate plot and quirky special effects provide plenty of material for a night of entertaining confusion. For many gullible children, Ek Thi Daayan it was an exercise in caution, even if it meant trying to cut any long, unsuspecting braids in sight.

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