As 'Munjya' Dominates Box Office, Here's Look At Some Of The Best Horror-Comedies To Come Out Of Bollywood
As 'Munjya' continues to dominate the box office, here's a look at some of the best Indian horror comedies.
Sharvari Wagh, Abhay Verma, and Mona Singh-starrer 'Munjya' continues to take the audience by surprise, and the new Hindi film has emerged as an unlikely success story at the box office. The newly released horror-comedy is continuing with its outstanding run at the box office, and several trade analysts believe that the movie has enough legs to cross the Rs 100 crore mark at the domestic box office. Speaking of 'Munjya', the latest installment in the Maddock Films' horror-comedy universe, the film was released in cinemas on June 7. The heavily loaded CGI film tells the story of a young man whose visit to his native village unveils a chilling family secret. Upon his arrival in the village, a vengeful spirit named ‘Munjya’ showcases himself and expresses his desire to get married.
It is then that the young man is tasked with protecting himself and his loved ones. The new Hindi film perfectly mixes comedy and horror, and it is reason enough for Indian audiences to lap up this movie.
'Munjya's success proves that Indian audiences will tune in for horror comedies, irrespective of the age group. Time and time again, the Indian audience has shown they have the stomach to see a well-made horror-comedy film.
Wondering what exactly is horror-comedy genre? Let us tell you about it. Over the years and the test of time, the horror comedy genre has managed to stand out as a testament to the creative potential of cinema. This genre seemingly combines two different elements -- fear and humour, into a singular, compelling experience.
This mixture then ends up resulting in films that both frighten and crack up audiences. The genre’s popularity highlights its ability to tap into universal emotions and provide a wholesome entertaining experience.
The horror comedy genre first surfaced into the limelight in the 1940s and 1950s with films like 'Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein' (1948). This film successfully blended slapstick comedy with classic horror elements, setting a precedent for future works.
In the 1980s, the genre saw a sharp boom with iconic Hollywood films like 'An American Werewolf in London' (1981) and 'Ghostbusters' (1984). The 2000s and beyond have now continued this trend, with movies like 'Shaun of the Dead' (2004) and 'Tucker and Dale vs. Evil' (2010) pushing the boundaries.
Horror comedy holds a unique appeal due to its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions. The mixture of fear and humor allows audiences to confront a wide range of emotions.
India has also tried coming up with entertaining horror comedy movies, and several films have tasted phenomenal success at the box office. Several projects have also earned critical acclaim. Hence, it is safe to say that the Indian audience just loves this particular genre.
As 'Munjya' continues to wreak havoc at the box office, we will look at some of the best Indian horror-comedy movies, and since it is the weekend, you can probably watch them, if you haven't.
So without further ado, the list is as follows:
Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007)
Directed by Priyadarshan, this horror comedy film stars Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, and Shiney Ahuja, 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' is often regarded as a landmark film in Indian horror comedy. A remake of the Malayalam film 'Manichitrathazhu', 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' perfectly manages to mix psychological horror with comedic elements, resulting in a gripping narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
The story revolves around a young couple who move into an ancestral palace, unaware of the secrets it holds. The film's comedic moments are primarily driven by Akshay Kumar's character, Dr. Aditya Shrivastav. Vidya Balan’s performance as Avni/Manjulika is both chilling and captivating, making her a standout in the genre. The Hindi film was a massive commercial success and is credited with bringing the horror-comedy genre into mainstream Indian cinema.
Bhoothnath (2008)
Written and directed by Vivek Sharma, the Hindi horror-comedy film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Juhi Chawla, Aman Siddiqui, Priyanshu Chatterjee, and Rajpal Yadav. The Hindi movie also features a cameo by Shah Rukh Khan. For the unversed, the movie is an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's 1987 short story 'The Canterville Ghost'.
The film received positive reviews from critics, upon its release. The success also resulted in a sequel titled, 'Bhootnath Returns'. The sequel was directed by Nitesh Tiwari.
Go Goa Gone (2013)
'Go Goa Gone', directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK (Raj & DK), is India's first zombie comedy film. Starring Saif Ali Khan, Kunal Khemu, Anand Tiwari, and Vir Das, 'Go Goa Gone' stands out for its unique premise and hilarious take on a terrifying concept. The film follows three friends who attend a rave party in Goa, only to find themselves amidst a zombie apocalypse.
Saif Ali Khan's portrayal of Boris, a pseudo-Russian zombie hunter, adds a layer of absurdity and humor to the film. Upon its release, 'Go Goa Gone' received positive reviews and over the years, it has managed to become a cult film.
Stree (2018)
Directed by Amar Kaushik, 'Stree' stars Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Abhishek Banerjee, Aparshakti Khurana, and Pankaj Tripathi. The movie managed to receive both critical and commercial success. Based on the urban legend of Nale Ba (Come Tomorrow) from Karnataka, the film masterfully blends horror and comedy to deliver a compelling narrative. Set in the small town of Chanderi, the film follows the story of a female spirit, Stree, who abducts men during a festival. In the film, 'Nale Ba' was modified into 'O Stree Kal Aana' (Oh Lady Come Tomorrow).
'Stree' not only entertained audiences but also sparked discussions on gender dynamics and societal superstitions. The movie emerged as a smash hit, and later this year, we will get to see the sequel of this uber-popular film.
Golmaal Again (2017)
Directed by Rohit Shetty, 'Golmaal Again' stars Ajay Devgn, Parineeti Chopra, Tabu, and others. 'Golmaal Again' is the fourth installment in the popular 'Golmaal series'. The story follows a group of friends who return to their orphanage and discover that it is haunted. Ajay Devgn’s character, Gopal, who is afraid of ghosts, adds a comedic twist to the horror setup.
The film was a box office success and it demonstrated that established comedy franchises could successfully incorporate horror elements.
Housefull 4 (2019)
Directed by Farhad Samji, the Hindi film stars Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Bobby Deol, Kriti Sanon, Pooja Hegde, and Kriti Kharbanda, 'Housefull 4' is a reincarnation comedy that successfully managed to incorporate supernatural elements. While primarily a comedy, the film’s use of horror tropes makes it a notable entry in the genre. 'Housefull 4' spans a period of 600 years from 1419 to 2019.
The film follows three brothers who discover their past lives and the unfinished business they have with their reincarnated partners. The humor stems from the characters’ attempts to navigate their present lives while dealing with their past reincarnations. Made on a budget of Rs 75 crore, 'Housefull 4' went on to do a business of more than Rs 275 crore.
Bhediya (2022)
Directed by Amar Kaushik and produced by Dinesh Vijan, 'Bhediya' stars Varun Dhawan alongside Kriti Sanon, Abhishek Banerjee, Deepak Dobriyal, and Paalin Kabak. The plot of this Hindi film is inspired by Arunachal Pradesh's legend of a shape-shifting werewolf, who wants to protect the jungle, even if he has to kill somebody.
Upon its release, the movie received favourable reviews. 'Bhediya 2' has already been announced, and Varun Dhawan will be returning as the shape-shifting werewolf.
Honourable mentions:
Although we have talked about Hindi horror comedies, the Tamil and Malayalam film industries have also come up with several horror comedies. Here are a select few that you can watch if you haven't.
Muni (2007)
Directed by and starring Raghava Lawrence, 'Muni' is another significant Tamil film that blends horror and comedy. It is the precursor to the 'Kanchana' series and sets the tone for the horror-comedy genre in Tamil cinema. The film follows Ganesh, who moves into a new house only to be possessed by the spirit of a man named Muni. The comedy arises from Ganesh’s attempts to deal with the possession and the resulting chaos in his life. The horror elements are tied to Muni’s backstory and his unfinished business.
Kanchana (2011)
'Kanchana', directed by and starring Raghava Lawrence, is a Tamil film that has been remade in multiple languages due to its popularity. It successfully combines horror with slapstick comedy, creating a unique cinematic experience. The film follows Raghava, a man with an intense fear of ghosts, who becomes possessed by the spirit of a transgender woman named Kanchana. The film’s comedy is rooted in Raghava’s fears and the resulting antics, while the horror elements are tied to Kanchana’s backstory and her quest for revenge.
'Kanchana' was a major commercial success and has become a cult classic in Indian cinema. Its portrayal of transgender issues, combined with its humorous and horror elements, has resonated with audiences across India.
Pretham (2016)
Directed by Ranjith Sankar and starring Jayasurya, 'Pretham' is a Malayalam horror comedy that blends supernatural elements with humor. The film’s unique storyline and engaging characters make it a notable entry in the genre. The film revolves around three friends who encounter a paranormal investigator, played by Jayasurya, to deal with a ghost haunting their beach resort.
The comedy arises from the friends’ antics and the investigator’s unconventional methods. The horror is rooted in the ghost’s backstory and the eerie occurrences at the resort.
Had a great time reading this? Then, keep on looking out for more, as we will be coming out with these types of articles every weekend! If you like us coming up with these articles every week, keep sharing so that we know our hard work is bearing some results. With this, happy weekend!
Just A Reminder: Keep yourself hydrated in this scorching heart. Drink lots of water, and only venture out, if desperately needed.
