Remember the noughties when Bipasha Basu (Raaz), Urmila Matondkar (Bhoot) and even Amitabh Bachchan (Darna Zaroori Hai) and Ajay Devgn (Bhoot) gave us shivers when they stepped into the world of horror? Over the years, the number of horror films being made in Bollywood has reduced considerably. In 2023 (till October) we have only had a single horror film – 1920: Horrors of Heart released in the theatres, which is alarming.

BT talks to filmmakers to understand why the industry is shying away from making films in a genre that is so popular amongst audiences worldwide.

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt who happens to be the only filmmaker religiously sticking to the genre states, "Horror as a genre has never been considered as mainstream it has been considered as what they say B-grade movies. But it is their inability to see the potential of horror. The genre has its own audience, fear is a potent sensation to sell. Unfortunately I am the only one carrying the baton."

Vikram's latest installment of 1920 was a hit at the box office. He adds, "Horror works without big stars. No mainstream big hero wants to be scared. A lot of times when I cast leading ladies they ask questions whether they would look disfigured, or would have different makeup. Horror is a good genre for anyone’s vanity. Also, horror is not a genre that will re-establish your stardom, Stardom is about larger than life hero; horror is about larger than life villain. Their lies the difference."

Although Vikram mentions that no big actor wants to be scared we have had Vicky Kaushal in Bhoot Part One: The Haunted Ship, Bhoomi Pednekar in Durgamati or even Anushka Sharma in Pari, recently delving in the genre. Ironically all the films turned out to be a bummer at the box office.

The recent horror which was well received by the masses and the critics alike was Sohum Shah-led Tumbbad. However, Sohum himself not a horror fanatic says his movie is not a horror genre. "For me Tumbbad is a folklore," he says.

On why the genre has been diminishing, Sohum explains, "People usually don't consider horror as a good film. Also, the standards of making a horror is quite high as the VFX, makeup everything needs to be of good quality. But I believe horror has a loyal audience. There is demand, we just need one movie that works. I believe the genre is untapped yet and could be a nice territory for makers."

Pavan Kirpalani, known for directing Ragini MMS, Phobia and Darr @The Mall, shares, "The genre has it’s moments, sometimes it does well. But there are not too many takers for the genre. Not too many filmmakers and producers to back it as well. So, it falls in a gray space most times. All it takes is one really good horror movie to bring the market alive again. Right now theatres are back and people want to go back into theatres. Horror is a genre made for that cinematic experience, as it is a communal viewing experience. So I feel it is just around the corner."

While horror movies were missing at the silver screen there were a few that made their way on the digital platforms. Bulbbul, Ghost Stories were a few horror projects on OTT recently that made the buzz in the recent times. Unanimously makers believe that while there is demand for the genre there aren't enough loyal horror fanatics to make a good horror. "I think there’s no larger keen, drive or interest to make them. In this country everyone wants to make a commercial Bollywood movie," Pavan shares. 

Echoing the sentiment, director Anees Bazmee elaborates, "We are capable of making any genres, but one of the major reasons I have stayed away from the horror genre is because the audience gets restricted. Once you make a horror film you are cutting down the kids, who form a major chunk of your target audience. So essentially the movie is not for the larger audience, as it will come be A rates. So, business kam hojaata hai."

In 2022, Anees did step into the genre albeit with a twist. He helmed Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, a horror comedy which minted money at the box office. Pavan believes "horror comedies have revived the horror genre". Interestingly Pavan has recently directed a Horror comedy - Bhoot Police.

"Horror comedies were non existent till Stree came. No one even processed the ideas till 2018 then suddenly Stree came and now everyone wants to do horror comedy because it is a commercial success. I have been only making horror movies. But I have been getting a lot more work because of horror comedies being a lucrative and commercially viable genre. Everyone wants to make one. I see the perks of horror comedy, because as a horror enthusiast it lets you make a good horror film but also make it for a wider audience because you put comedy in it," the Gaslight director explains.

Just in the recent years we have got a plethora of horror comedies making their way on screen with Bhediya, Laxmii, Phone Bhoot, Bhoot Police, Chandramukhi 2. All the movies started a popular mainstream actor. However, not all of them set the cash registers ringing. "Any genre's requirement is for it to be a good film. Putting comedy in horror is not a safe bet. It will work on your conviction," Anees signs off.