Deeply unsettling and incredibly unique, these movies demand your attention for their plot, production and actors who emote like crazy under any circumstances.
I am scared of the supernatural thriller movies that Hollywood makes, yet they fascinate me. It’s the hidden, the masked and the invisible that arouses my curiosity. Still, I’ve never dared to watch these movies in cinema halls. I normally watch these movies during daytime, with open windows.
So, braving the dark world, I curated a list of these unmissable desi supernatural thrillers. These movies made me realise that Indian cinema, across various languages, has been masterfully tapping into a rich tapestry of folklore, regional legends, and mythological figures. It beautifully delivers supernatural tales that are atmospheric, culturally resonant and unnerving at the same time. They’re stories steeped in centuries of belief, fear, and human nature.
Kantara (Kannada – with Hindi/other dubs available)
What it’s about: This literally became a cult movie. But I watched it by fluke and it turned out to be a mindblowing experience. Set in a remote village bordering a forest, Kantara (meaning ‘mystical forest’) weaves together local folklore, human-animal conflict, and a mesmerizing ancient ritual known as Bhoota Kola. When a conflict arises over forest land between villagers and the forest department, the protective deity of the forest, Panjurli, makes its presence known in a truly awe-inspiring and chilling way.
And yes, Bhoota Kola is a ritualistic folk-art form and an annual religious festival celebrated by the Tulu-speaking community in coastal Karnataka and Kerala, India, where devotees invoke and worship local spirits (Bhootas) through ritualistic dances and dramas. Kola means play, Bhootas are semi-divine spirits or tribal guardian deities.
Director: Rishab Shetty
Cast: Rishab Shetty, Sapthami Gowda, Kishore
Location: Set in coastal Karnataka, India
Why it’s unmissable: Kantara is a cultural phenomenon for its raw energy, stunning visuals, and Rishab Shetty’s intense performance. The stunning climax, featuring the Bhoota Kola ritual, was the prime thriller, blending performance, spiritual possession, and a deep respect for indigenous traditions.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Maa (Hindi)
What it’s about: The main attraction was Kajol, but it turned out to have an interesting plot based on the fight between the demon Raktabeeja and Ma Kali. Twisted by ancient curses and demonic forces, Maa is an urban woman’s journey to her dead husband’s ancestral village which opens dark family secrets, as a terrifying entity threatens her daughter.
Director: Vishal Furia
Cast: Kajol, Samyuktha Menon, Ronit Roy
Location: Unspecified ancestral village in India
Why it’s unmissable: The strength of the movie lies in the emotional bond between a mother and her young daughter. It’s about a mother’s desperate fight against the most evil entity. Kajol’s performance is compelling and Ronit Roy as the sleazy villain is a cool character. Kajol’s role of mother and protector, blended with supernatural elements, is relatable and humane. Maa makes for a one-time watch, blending powerful narrative about heritage and divine redemption.
Where to watch: Netflix
Munjya (Hindi)
What it’s about: This was a surprise. I thought a Mona Singh movie would be fun, which it was with a twist. The plot draws inspiration from the intriguing Munjya, a folklore from the Konkan belt. The story revolves around a young boy’s unfulfilled desire to marry his childhood love, which leads to his untimely death and transformation into a mischievous, yet vengeful, spirit known as a ‘Munjya.’ Decades later, the spirit returns with unnerving moments for his descendants.
Director: Aditya Sarpotdar
Cast: Sharvari Wagh, Abhay Verma, Mona Singh
Location: Set in Maharashtra, India
Why it’s unmissable: Munjya has good effects, many laugh-out-loud moments with effective suspense. The unique folklore element is distinctly Indian. It’s a good watch, giving chills and chuckles at the same time.
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
Tumbbad (Hindi)
What it’s about: Often hailed as a modern classic of Indian cinema, Tumbbad is a dark fantasy thriller set in 19th-century Maharashtra. It tells the haunting tale of a man driven by insatiable greed, repeatedly venturing into a cursed fort to extract gold from a monstrous, ancient god named Hastar, who was never meant to be worshipped.
Director: Rahi Anil Barve
Cast: Sohum Shah, Jyoti Malshe, Dhundiraj Prabhakar Jogalekar
Location: Set in the village of Tumbbad, Maharashtra
Why it’s unmissable: Tumbbad is cinematic excellence. With stunning visuals, it’s a slow burn that builds an incredible sense of dread and mystery, leaving you wondering about the futility of relationships and the constant need for free money.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Which one have you seen or plan to see? Let us know in the comments below!
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Bohemian Bibliophile.
Queen of Treasures 
I am relieved that I share my terror of horror with you it is the reason I could not make myself watch Kantara even though it was so acclaimed.Adding Tummbad to the list of my try-to- watch list.
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Kantara had the best end, I believe it’s being made into a series for OTT, Kantara Chapter 1, watch it in the day with all windows open. 😀
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I enjoyed your post on Folklore Files: DESI Supernatural Thrillers — you’ve highlighted on what makes these films special: the mix of fear, folklore, and human emotion that Hollywood often misses. I especially liked how you pointed out Kantara’s ritual, Maa’s mother-daughter bond in the face of supernatural forces, and Munjya’s blend of suspense and dark humour. Thanks for putting together recommendations that celebrate regional myths and legends.
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I am a scardey cat! From this list, I have only watched Kantara, the 1st part. Didn’t sleep that night!
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Precisely why I watch them in full sunlight.
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I am glad that fimmakers are investing in such folklores to be presented to the world. I am yet to watch Kantara and Maa.
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I used to watch all kinds of movies at one time, but since I have been living alone, I steer clear of any scary movies or even a sad and tear-jerker. I am sure these movies must be good, but not for me!
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Out of the above names I watched Ma very recently and I liked it. Every actor in this movie besides Kajol did marvelous job and I had no clue who the main culprit is and that made this movie marvelous. Outstanding i must say. Kajol acting is improving day by day
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Yes, she did carry it off so well and no male actor standing in the way.
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I love supernatural thrillers but haven’t really gotten into desi ones, not sure why. Stree was decent but more horror comedy. I may check some of these out to see how they are since you have made them sound quite intriguing
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Stree was plain comedy. These have a thrill-chill, yet don’t leave you scared😁
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I’m warming up to the supernatural movie genre and have seen all of these except Maa. Tumbbad, with its nail-biting story and gory visuals, has to be the best amongst them. The first time I saw it I had a fitful sleep and kept seeing Hastar everywhere!
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Yeah, that hastar and his gold coins falling from his garment along with his food.. it was something. I have yet to see Kantara Chapter 1
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Same here. The promo is awesome but I’m worried that the visuals and loud background music might be too much for me in a theatre. I’ll watch it on OTT.
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kantara was mind blowing . I’m waiting to watch chapter 1 this week in the theaters.
i recently watched maa and it was thrilling too
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I will watch Kantara chapter 1 on OTT
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I too am not a fan of thrillers. Yet, I watched Kantara in Kannada and surprisingly enjoyed it. Rohit Shetty’s performance is commendable indeed. I’ve heard about Tumbbad but haven’t watched it yet. The other 2 I haven’t heard of.
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Kantara was really good. I plan to watch Kantara Chapter 1 now
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I’ve only watched Kantara and Munjya out of these; enjoyed both for completely different reasons. The other two, well, I’ve been gathering up the courage to see them and now your recs and review have pushed me at least to some extent. Hopefully I’ll be brave enough to watch them soon 😀
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Tumbbad is more eerie than Maa,, both have a different technique.
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This is an incredibly insightful and engaging roundup! Your passion for desi supernatural thrillers shines through, capturing folklore, culture, and cinematic brilliance. I loved the Tumbbad movie
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Then, you will like the others also. Kantara has great cinematic effects.
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Our country is so vast and rich with all the cultural aspects along with folklores and myths which is a very ripe field for any storyteller. It can be depicted in any form they chose. I used to wonder why filmmakers are not interested in these things. It feels good that things are now changing for good.
If you haven’t checked, checkout the Marathi film called “Dashavatar” it has English subtitles.
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I will check out Dashavatar, anything mythical has an element of intrigue.
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Another one is coming.. titled as “गोंधळ” a traditional artform usually performed after marriage.
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Definitely going to need to look into the movies.
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Tummbad was the best ❤️😇
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