From Bhediya to Naagzilla How creature features are crawling back into the mainstream
For decades, Bollywood has had a curious fascination with the supernatural. From haunted havelis and vengeful spirits to reincarnated lovers and shape-shifting snakes, Indian cinema has regularly flirted with the eerie and the extraordinary. But in recent years, a rather intriguing sub-genre seems to be slowly slithering its way back into the mainstream: the creature feature.
The latest string of announcements and releases suggests that Bollywood is steadily reclaiming its age-old love for mythical creatures and monsters, albeit with a modern, glossier, and sometimes humorous twist. What began with
Varun Dhawan
and
Kriti Sanon
's
Bhediya
has now evolved into a trend, with upcoming films like Thama and Nagzilla confirming that audiences are once again ready to embrace the beast within.
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The Return of the Werewolf: Bhediya's Impact
In 2022, Bhediya arrived as a fresh take on the folklore horror genre. Directed by Amar Kaushik, who had already made a mark with Stree, this film saw Varun Dhawan transform into a werewolf after being bitten during a forest assignment in Arunachal Pradesh. While Stree had been a surprise blockbuster, blending horror with humor and social commentary, Bhediya attempted a similar formula with a creature feature slant.
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Although the film's box office run wasn't record-breaking, it made enough noise to be considered a cult favorite in the making. Its unique blend of mythology, environmental messaging, quirky comedy, and state-of-the-art VFX for a Bollywood film proved that there was an appetite for creature features beyond snakes and spirits.
The film's success paved the way for Bollywood filmmakers to think beyond formulaic ghost stories and urban legends, pushing the boundaries into territories less explored in contemporary Hindi cinema.
From Werewolves to Vampires: Enter Thama
Riding the coattails of Bhediya's moderate success, producers soon began scouting for new mythological creatures to build stories around. Enter Thama, an upcoming film starring
Ayushmann Khurrana
and
Rashmika Mandanna
, which introduces Bollywood audiences to a world of vampires.
For a country where vampires haven't really found a footing despite the global popularity of franchises like Twilight or The Vampire Diaries, Thama is a bold move. Reportedly Rashmika plays a vampire in the film.
Interestingly, Thama is the latest addition to the horror-comedy universe which also has Stree and Bhediya in it
Kartik Aaryan Turns Serpent: Bollywood's Eternal Obsession with Snakes
Perhaps the most intriguing addition to this list is Kartik Aaryan, who is set to star
Naagzilla
where he plays the shape-shifting snake.
This isn't new territory for Bollywood. In fact, Hindi cinema's affair with serpents dates back to the 1950s and 60s, with films like Nagin (1954) setting the stage. The 1976 Nagin, starring Reena Roy, Sunil Dutt, and Feroz Khan, became a massive hit, followed by Nagina (1986) starring Sridevi, whose dance number 'Main Teri Dushman' remains iconic even today.
Through the decades, the motif of the 'ichchadhari naag' (shape-shifting snake) has been a recurring element in Bollywood's horror and fantasy sagas. Films like Naag Nagin, Sheshnaag, Nigahen, and Jaani Dushman- Ek Anokhi Kahani not only capitalized on India's mythological lore but also on the inherent allure and fear associated with snakes in Indian culture.
The 2000s, however, saw a decline in such themes as urban horror and psychological thrillers took precedence. Kartik Aaryan's upcoming venture, therefore, feels like a nostalgic throwback, reimagining the classic snake saga for a new generation with cutting-edge technology and modern storytelling.
Why Creature Features Work in India
At their core, creature features — whether they involve werewolves, vampires, or serpents — tap into India's rich reservoir of folklore and superstition. Rural and urban India alike have grown up hearing tales of shape-shifting animals, forest spirits, and nocturnal predators. By bringing these legends to life on screen, Bollywood provides a cinematic extension of these cultural myths.
Moreover, these films lend themselves to rich visual storytelling. India's varied landscapes, from dense forests to ancient temples and crumbling mansions, make for perfect backdrops for such stories. The advancement in CGI and VFX has also made it possible for Indian filmmakers to realistically depict these mythical transformations, something that was often lacking in earlier attempts.
Another reason creature features hold promise is their versatility. They can be horror-thrillers, tragic love stories, comedy capers, or even social allegories. Stree commented on gender dynamics, Bhediya had an environmental message, and Thama is expected to explore themes of identity and acceptance.
A Future of Monsters and Myths
With Bhediya 2 already announced , it's evident that Bollywood producers are invested in building a new-age horror-fantasy franchise model. These films don't just exist in isolation but are envisioned as parts of a larger, interconnected supernatural world — something akin to Hollywood's MonsterVerse.
Additionally, streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime have also begun exploring Indian folklore-based horror and fantasy shows, further normalizing the presence of supernatural creatures in modern narratives.
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