With “Raaz 3” the latest in the horror genre to become a hit movie, one needs to understand the formula that goes in making horror movie a hit amongst the masses. The 70’s and 80s also saw many horror movies doing well which had a following and did well in those times. The Ramsays also had contribution. The movies had loyal following in cinemas and home videos. Some horrors done well and managed to send shivers were Do Gaz Zameen ke neeche, Darwaza, Jaani Dushman , Veerana, Bandh Darwazaa, Gehrayee. However their films were equally criticized for having double meaning title names and too much of sexually explicit content.
Bipasha Basu and Emraan Hashmi (Raaz 3 Movie Stills)
Raaz 3 is already in the momentum of making 80 crores lifetime at the box office collections. Vikram Bhatt who is the reigning “Czar” of making horror-thriller films, has given the industry some of the best horror movies along with Ram Gopal Varma. The film-makers have harnessed this particular genre of movies to their full benefit which is otherwise very tricky and difficult. With changing technology, even horror movies are made with state-of-the-art techniques. As Ram Gopal Varma’s Bhoot Returns is about to hit the screens, let us see some of the scariest films in the history of Bollywood that had the audiences sweating and screaming in fear.
13B :
13 B Movie Poster
Directed by Vikram Kumar, 13 B redefined horror genre in Bollywood. It was a story of a man( R. Madhavan) who is torn between the supernatural and virtual life.
Ragini MMS :
Ragini Mms Movie Poster
Based on paranormal activities, Ragini MMS is a sex-induced paranormal thriller. The film is a complete scary ride and succeeds in sending a shiver down your spine.
1920 :
1920 Movie Poster
A horror period film by Vikram Bhatt, this is one of the scariest films by him. Starring Rajneesh Duggal and Adah Sharma in lead roles, 1920 will scare you more by its supernatural activities.
Phoonk :
Phoonk Movie Poster
Directed by Ram Gopal Varma , it was rumoured to be one of the most scariest films ever to be made in Bollywood. The movie was based on the Hollywood classic film “The Exorcist”. The film was a blockbuster , however it’s sequel Phoonk 2 failed miserably at the box office. The 3rd installment Phoonk 3 is in the pipeline.
Agyaat :
Agyaat Movie Poster
One more horror film by Ram Gopal Varma. Agyaat was shot in a jungle and had suspense throughout the film which made the film more interesting.
Raaz :
Raaz Movie Poster
Vikram Bhatt’s ‘Raaz’was inspired by Hollywood flick ‘What Lies Beneath’, Bipasha Basu and Dino Morea played the lead roles of a married couple who make an effort to replenish their failing relationship in the picturesque valleys of Ooty. Here, Sanjana (Bipasha Basu) comes to know about the reality of her husband’s extra-marital affair with a woman after she is haunted by the woman’s soul.
Mahal :
Mahal Movie Poster
Yester year’s horror flick ‘Mahal’ tops the charts for its still-so-fresh scary looks. It released way back in 1949 and was written and directed by Kamal Amrohi, tragic queen Meena Kumari’s husband.. Ashok Kumar played the lead role and the story of the film was based on the concept of reincarnation.
Bhoot :
Bhoot Movie Poster
Bhoot was different from any typical Bollywood horror film. The story is of a couple who witness the presence of a ghost in their newly purchased flat. It’s all about how the ghost seeks revenge of her killer. Urmila was excellent in the film.
Gehrayee :
Gehrayee Movie Poster
the 1980 film ‘Gehrayee’ also makes to the list. The film was directed by Vikas Desai and Aruna Raje and starred Sriram Lagoo and actress Padmini Kolhapure. The plot of the film was based on an American horror film ‘The Exorcist’. The film had a lot of haunting scenes with apt music to create the ultimate fear for the audience watching it.
With Raaz 3 being touted as biggest hit in Horror genre and predictions to reach 75 crores there seems appetite for this genre and many may enter the race.
