​Bollywood’s strangest fantasies take shape

Makdee (2002), directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, told a children’s horror-fantasy centred on a mysterious witch. Featuring Shabana Azmi in a spine-chilling role, the film blended folklore and humour, making supernatural themes accessible for younger audiences. It gained critical acclaim, establishing Bhardwaj’s storytelling voice and expanding Indian cinema’s approach to horror for family audiences.

Naagin (1976) drew from Indian folklore of shape-shifting serpents seeking revenge. With Sridevi’s mesmerising dance and chilling expressions, the film became a massive commercial success. Its mythological horror elements spawned multiple remakes, sequels, and serials, cementing the snake-woman archetype in Indian pop culture as a lasting symbol of vengeance and supernatural terror.

Creature 3D (2014) attempted India’s first 3D monster horror. Starring Bipasha Basu, it introduced a reptilian predator inspired by folklore. While the visual effects received mixed reviews, it marked a milestone for homegrown creature features, showcasing Bollywood’s growing ambition in experimenting with Hollywood-style horror and science-fiction hybrids for local audiences.

Enthiran (2010), also known as Robot, featured Rajinikanth as a scientist and his android creation. The film combined action, romance, and science fiction, breaking box-office records in India. With groundbreaking visual effects and Shankar’s ambitious direction, it portrayed artificial intelligence’s rise, questioning ethics of robotics, while dazzling audiences with spectacular large-scale set pieces.

In Koi… Mil Gaya (2003), Hrithik Roshan’s character befriends an extraterrestrial, sparking India’s first mainstream alien story. The film blended science fiction with emotional drama, paving the way for its celebrated superhero sequel Krrish, and remains iconic for its blue-skinned alien Jadoo and the special effects breakthrough it represented in Indian cinema.