Hidden within India’s rural folklore are eerie tales of spirits, demons, witches, and creatures, who explore beyond the sects of black and white, blurring the lines between good and evil.
From yakshis to chudails, these macabre narratives go beyond the anticipatory jump scares and eerie atmospheres. Rather, they act as cautionary tales, reflecting the socio-political and cultural problems existing within society. Take Tumbaad, for example, which highlighted the consequences of human gluttony, or Bulbuul, whose “chudail” character symbolized feminine rage towards patriarchal atrocities.
And with Halloween just around the corner, there’s no better time to dive into these haunting stories. If you’d rather spend the night watching movies than dressing up, we’ve got you covered — with a desi twist. Rolling Stone India highlights some underrated Indian folk horror films, from chilling romances to Tagore-inspired tales, that deserve a spot on your watchlist.
Mahal (1949)
When Mahal, starring Madhubala and Ashok Kumar, was released, it created history, garnering the title of the first-ever Indian horror film. Nestled in a haunted mansion, the plot follows how a man slowly falls in love with the ethereal ghost residing in it.
Teen Kanya (1961)
A Satyajit Ray directorial, the film condenses three Rabindranath Tagore short stories- “The Postmaster,” “Monihara,” and “Samapti” into a 56-minute, slow-burning anthology. Out of the three segments, “Monihara” is a dramatized tale that revolves around Monimalika, who is married to a rich businessman, Phanibhushan. Monimalika’s maniacal obsession with jewels and ornaments leads her to take a series of impulsive decisions, which lead to ghastly encounters. Packed with unique narrators, unconventional female characters, and plot twists, the film is equal parts amusing and haunting.
Kothanodi (2015)
The Assamese language film, which is Bhaskar Hazarika’s debut feature, compiles multiple folktales into a spine-chilling spectacle. Set in rural landscapes, the four-part anthology essentially boils down to grim, female-centric tales that are based on the popular collection of children’s stories ‘Buri ai’r Xadu’ (Grandmother’s tales), by Lakshminath Bezobara, unearthing unsettling visuals and puzzling plot points.
Lapacchapi (Hide and Seek) (2016)
What happens when a quaint village sojourn takes a bloodlusty turn? Set against the backdrop of Maharashtrian sugar cane fields, a young couple, who are expecting a child, take refuge in a temporary home. However, with time, they are confronted with the dark secrets that hide amidst the fields. Blending social messaging and folk storytelling, this Marathi film presents societal stigmas through a darker angle.
Aamis (Ravening) (2019)
A forbidden love with a gustatory spin. Suman, an anthropology student studying indigenous meat-eating habits, begins falling for Nirmali, a pediatrician, a married woman, and a mother. Through secret, The Lunchbox-esque meet-ups, a bond is formed over trying out exotic meat-laden meals. Although Nirmali is against infidelity, she slowly sinks into a downward spiral of acts that go beyond social taboos, with her partner-in-crime (pun intended), Suman. Merging cannibalistic urges with hierarchical setups, Aamis leaves an unforgettable taste in your mouth. Yet again directed by Bhaskar Hazarika, it premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019.
Jokhini (2023)
Bordering on fantasy horror, the film unravels the tale of Malaya, who is married to a loving husband and expecting a baby soon. Left in her own company, she begins to experience strange, hallucinatory occurrences, where she is intermittently met with “Jokhini” (witch), a long-haired, shape-shifting demoness who is jealous of pregnant and married women.
Bramayugam (2024)
A spine-chilling period drama set in 17th-century Kerala, the film follows Thevan, a folk singer, who stumbles upon a decrepit mansion owned by Kodummon Potti, which is bustling with mysterious secrets. Shot completely in Black and White, the Malayalam-language movie blends mythos with macabre, giving haunting folk legends a modern, supernatural spin.
The Exile (2025)
Haunted by the loss of his deceased wife, Gouranga ventures into a mysterious forest, wherein he confronts facets of his past, along with supernatural rural myths. Set in 1960s Bengal, the Samman Roy directorial explores grief, superstition, guilt, and the darker undercurrents of rural Indian society in the 20th century. The film was also selected amongst the Top 10 Recommended Films of NFDC Bazaar 2023.
Bokshi (2025)
A mere school excursion in the woods transpires into a living nightmare as a school student, Anahita (Prasanna Bishit), who’s traumatized by her mother’s disappearance, puts the puzzle together, piece by piece. Filmed in the lush woods of Sikkim, Bhargav Saikia’s debut feature explores matriarchal mythology, natural spirits, and Indian superstitions. The film also questions the layers behind evil feminine figures, like the “Bokshi” (witch in Nepali), whether she’s a figure of empowerment or mayhem. If you’re looking for a teenage coming-of-age meets a trip in the woods gone wrong, this film is the right pit stop.
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