Halloween, a festival that was initially majorly observed in Western countries has found its way to the Indian subcontinent. The celebration for this festival mostly entails watching horror movies. Horror movies of the West have had a loyal following in India for a long time. Hardcore horror fans consciously chose to stay away from the humdrum of Bollywood horror movies.
However, in recent times, Bollywood has been able to break out of what was considered to be the typical horror cinema characteristics. Earlier, the genre was primarily defined by over the top visual effects that translated to more laughs than screams. Movies like ‘Rudraksh’ have for long been the centre of criticism when it comes to butchering what the horror genre truly stands for.
Experiments with the Horror Genre in Bollywood
Moving forward, from the early 2010s, movies like ‘Go Goa Gone’ and ‘Ragini MMS’ have been able to re-invent what is truly terrifying as well as entertaining for the audience. These experiments with the genre have continued till date.
How are movies that are testing the waters when it comes to profits as well as criticism been successful in recent times?
For example, a movie like ‘Go Goa Gone,’ released in the year 2013 managed to build a “cult” following which greatly appreciated how the film combined traits of horror and comedy together. The movie was also promoted as the first zombie film in Bollywood. These features were only seen in Western productions. Success of movies such as these paved the way for more Western horror characteristics to find space in mainstream productions.
Horror Movies as a Tool for Social Commentary in Contemporary Times
The emergence of OTT platforms has moreover also given filmmakers creative liberty to experiment with the horror genre mixed with socio-political issues. For example, ‘Bulbbul’ that was released on Netflix showcased the impact of an era of oppression and subjugation against women.
The symbolisation of witchcraft being synonymous with women holding and re-imagining agency for themselves have been explored in Americanfilms and shows such as Practical Magic, Charmed ‘American Horror Story: Coven.’
Similarly, ‘Bulbbul’ was able to create a setting that was inherently south-Asian. Ciewers felt culturally connected to ancient stories of witchcraft that they perhaps grew up with and were able to then find visualisations of the same in a feminist narrative.
In mainstream Bollywood cinema as well, movies like ‘Stree’ have made use of typical Bollywood tropes such as synchronised song and dance numbers and even an “item number”. Yet they managed to drive home that the theory of witchcraft was primarily used to subjugate women demanding agency.
The dialogue from the movie that says, “Woh stree hai, kuch bhi kar sakti hai,” (She is a woman, she is capable of doing anything) summarises how the subtle nods towards feminist themes has been woven into the story.
Influence of Western Horror Traits in South-Asian Cinema
Movies, like ‘Stree’ and ‘Bulbbul’ have not only focused on the socio-political aspects of the plot but also on building a storyline that is engaging. For example, ‘Stree’ heavily relies on comic relief as a foil to the more serious feminist narratives it aims to push forward. Similarly, ‘Bulbbul’ focuses on creating mind-blowing visual imagery that hooks the audience onto watching a movie that is not only socially relevant but also aesthetic..
Apart from Bollywood, regional languages have made successful attempts at creating horror movies that have used the genre to showcase social dysfunctionalities. For example, ‘Tumbbad,’ a Marathi movie, dealt with important themes of greed, poverty and upward class mobility and eventual downfall.
Western influences have had long-lasting impacts on how Bollywood and South-Asian cinema has shaped up. Far-right organisations have often created opposition and aggressive threats against media productions that were deemed ‘unsuitable’ for the Indian audience. However, the horror genre has been able to find a comfortable spot of acceptance when it comes to avoiding censorship or political hostility.
Foreign language movies such as ‘Babadook,’ ‘Irreversible,’ ‘Oldboy’ have been unabashed in establishing a strong stance on unique yet relevant themes such as mental health and rape culture. The influence of global cinema has found spectatorship as well as critical acclaim in India as well.
A cultural mix of diversifying Bollywood’s ancient archaic techniques and traits can be seen as a progressive way forward for the horror genre in India. Bollywood has been able to chart out a unique space for itself in the horror genre. This has left the Indian audience wanting for more and even appreciating the productions that do come in.
This Halloween make sure to check out the movies listed here if you want to explore what Bollywood has to offer in terms of good horror movies!