The horror genre has long been a staple of Indian cinema, with filmmakers attempting to terrify audiences through supernatural elements, eerie atmospheres, and spine-tingling storytelling. While there have been some truly iconic Indian horror films that have left viewers with sleepless nights, there have also been those that have failed miserably in their attempts. In this article, we take a look at seven Indian horror movies that were anything but horror and left a blot on the face of the genre:
Suryavanshi [1991]:
No way are we talking about that Akshay Kumar actioner. Directed by Rakesh Kumar, the movie starred Salman Khan and Sheeba Akashdeep, apart from Amrita Singh in principal roles. It aimed to show supernatural elements, but in the end, it turned out to be a meme fest, with Salman Khan’s glazed look still eliciting laughter to this day.
Also read: 7 Indian Classics that were almost ruined by bad trailers
Aks [2001]:
The 2001 film featuring Amitabh Bachchan indeed showcases his action prowess, but it is marred by a lack of logical storytelling. “Aja Gufaon mein Aa,” the iconic song often sung in a spooky tone, adds to the film’s eerie but incoherent atmosphere. Thankfully, the landscape of Indian cinema has evolved, and we are now witnessing the production of more coherent and engaging content. Ironically, this was the debut movie of Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra!
Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahaani [2002]:
For this movie, anything would be less. The movie, true to its strange name, turned out quite peculiar. Despite featuring popular actors like Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Sunny Deol, and Armaan Kohli, it failed to make a mark during its opening weekend. In the end, the film, despite its star-studded cast, ended up being anything but scary, leaving audiences bewildered by its unusual storyline and execution. It also proved, that no matter how brilliant he is in singing and occasional mimicry, Sonu Nigam can definitely not be a good actor!
Krishna Cottage [2004]:
This is why people have issues with Ekta Kapoor. “Krishna Cottage” (2004) attempted to blend romance and horror but ultimately became a mockery of the genre. Its laughable ghostly appearances, melodramatic performances, and a convoluted plot made it impossible to take seriously. Instead of instilling fear, the film left viewers cringing at its poorly executed attempts at horror, making it a prime example of how not to make a horror film. Also don’t forget the legendary song “Bepanaah Pyaar”, which gave tough competition to “Aaaja” from “Jaani Dushman”.
Hiss [2010]:
“Hisss” is a 2010 Indian horror film notorious for its unintentional humor and poor execution. Starring Mallika Sherawat as a snake woman seeking revenge, the film’s laughable CGI effects, awkward storytelling, and exaggerated performances turned it into a mockery of horror cinema. Instead of delivering spine-tingling scares, “Hisss” left audiences rolling their eyes and questioning its place in the horror genre.
Alone [2015]:
‘Alone’ is a 2015 Indian horror film that falls short of delivering genuine scares. While it has an intriguing premise of conjoined twins and a vengeful spirit, it relies heavily on cheap jump scares, overused horror clichés, and uninspiring storytelling. The film’s inability to create a truly eerie atmosphere or engage viewers emotionally makes it a mockery of the horror genre, offering little more than superficial thrills.
Also read: 11 Greatest Indian Films that were never nominated for the Oscars
Roohi [2021]:
“Roohi,” a 2021 Bollywood film, is a mockery of horror films due to its inability to strike the right balance between horror and comedy. With Varun Sharma being the typical Varun Sharma from “Fukrey”, and Rajkummar Rao being the typical loser that he mostly plays, the movie is probably an instalment nobody in the “Horror verse”, with films like “Stree” and “Bhediya”, would like to remember!
While Indian cinema has produced its fair share of outstanding horror movies, these seven films fell far short of the mark. They failed to deliver genuine scares, often resorting to laughable special effects, weak storytelling, and uninspired acting. In the realm of horror, it’s essential to strike a balance between the supernatural and the believable to create an immersive and frightening experience. Unfortunately, these movies missed the mark and left a blot on the face of the horror genre in Indian cinema.
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