India’s cinematic history is rich and vast, but even older are the ghostly legends that have been passed down through generations. Stories of witches and spirits haunting old banyan or neem trees in remote villages have been a staple of folklore, and these tales have found their way onto the big screen. As technology has advanced, so too have the depictions of ghosts in Bollywood, evolving from simple makeup and sound effects to sophisticated VFX and complex backstories. Let’s take a journey through how the portrayal of ghosts in Bollywood films has transformed over the past 52 years.
1. The Ghost of ‘Do Gaj Zameen Ke Neeche’ (1972)
Released on December 30, 1972, Do Gaj Zameen Ke Neeche is a classic horror film that tells the story of a wealthy scientist, Rajvansh, and his deceitful wife, Anjali. Surendra Kumar played the role of Rajvansh, while Shobhana portrayed Anjali. The film is filled with eerie scenes, featuring a cast that includes Satyen Kappu, Dhumal, Helen, and Imtiaz Khan.
In the movie, Anjali, along with her former lover, kills Rajvansh for his wealth and buries his body in a cemetery. However, the story takes a chilling turn when Rajvansh returns from the grave as a zombie to seek revenge. The portrayal of the zombie was achieved through heavy makeup, a common technique at the time to create a ghostly appearance. The focus was on using practical effects to scare the audience, relying on the actor’s performance and makeup.
2. The Ghost of ‘Jaani Dushman’ (1979)
Jaani Dushman is another iconic horror film, released in 1979, where Shatrughan Sinha played the role of a terrifying ghost. The ghost in this movie had a peculiar characteristic—it would become enraged at the sight of a bride and would kidnap her. The ghost’s appearance was designed to resemble a bear, with Shatrughan Sinha’s face covered in heavy makeup and fur to achieve the look.
In Jaani Dushman, the ghost’s backstory wasn’t given much attention. The primary focus was on the ghost’s actions and the fear it instilled in the characters and the audience. The film relied heavily on makeup and costume to create the supernatural entity, a stark contrast to the character-driven ghost stories of today.
3. The Ghost of ‘Kanchana’ (2011)
Kanchana is a classic horror film from South Indian cinema that continues to be remembered for its gripping story and terrifying ghost. The film follows the character of Raghav, a cameraman who is deathly afraid of ghosts. The story takes a dark turn when Raghav becomes possessed by a spirit, causing him to behave like a woman.
Unlike earlier horror films that relied on makeup and costumes, Kanchana used lighting, expressions, and minimal makeup to create a haunting atmosphere. The ghost in Kanchana was a woman, and the filmmakers focused on her expressions and body language to convey fear, rather than using excessive makeup or special effects.
4. The Ghost of ‘Stree 2’ (2023)
Released on August 15, 2023, Stree 2 has become a hit at the box office. The film introduces a new ghost named Sarkata, who preys on women with modern thinking in the village of Chanderi. The character of Sarkata is portrayed by Sunil Kumar, a wrestler and police constable, but what sets this ghost apart is the use of VFX to enhance its terrifying presence.
Unlike the ghosts of earlier films, Sarkata’s character comes with a well-developed backstory. Sarkata was a man who hated modern-thinking women during his lifetime, and after his death, he continues to prey on such women, influencing other men in the village to adopt his regressive mindset. The use of VFX and a compelling backstory has made Sarkata a memorable character, reflecting modern societal issues.
5. The Ghost of ‘Kakuda’ (2023)
Kakuda is a horror film set in a small village named Rataudi in Mathura. The village is cursed and haunted by a spirit known as Kakuda. The film stars Saqib Saleem, Sonakshi Sinha, and Ritesh Deshmukh in lead roles. The plot revolves around a peculiar curse that affects the men of the village every Tuesday at precisely 7:15 PM. If a man fails to open the small gate of his house at that exact time, he dies on the 13th day.
The character of Kakuda is depicted as a Hulk-like figure, using advanced VFX to create a visually imposing presence. The film combines traditional horror elements with modern technology to create a unique and suspenseful narrative. The story of Kakuda is a great example of how folklore-inspired horror can be adapted to resonate with contemporary audiences.
The Evolution of Bollywood’s Ghosts
Over the past 52 years, the portrayal of ghosts in Bollywood has undergone a significant transformation. In the early days, filmmakers relied heavily on makeup, costumes, and sound effects to create a sense of fear. The stories were often straightforward, with little emphasis on the ghost’s backstory or motivations.
As technology advanced, so did the depiction of ghosts. The introduction of VFX allowed filmmakers to create more realistic and terrifying supernatural entities. Additionally, modern horror films began to focus more on the backstories of ghosts, giving them depth and making them more relatable to audiences. This shift in storytelling reflects the changing tastes of viewers, who now expect more complex and thought-provoking narratives.
