By Hemant SharmaHorror movies have their own attraction and is a popular genre among a large section of the audience. With supernatural apparitions, eerie settings and haunting music, horror movies make your hairs stand on end. South Indian cinema has consistently dished out horror flicks of multiple kinds, right from ghost stories and mythical beliefs to psychological thrillers. Horror movies across South Indian languages are known for their spine-chilling scenes, highly gripping scripts and supernatural elements. However, some South Indian horror movies stand out amongst others and have impressed the critics and audience alike. They are characterised by impressive cinematography, masterful performances by the casts and excellent storylines which keep the audience hooked. Let’s have a look at the top 10 South Indian horror movies to watch.
1. Mummy
Mummy is a Kannada supernatural drama which keeps the audience on edge of their seats. The supernatural element in the film is accentuated by a eerie atmosphere maintained throughout its course. Directed and written by Lohith H, the film features Priyanka Upendra in the lead role. The movie received positive reviews, including four stars rating from Times of India.
Mummy follows the story of a seven-month pregnant widow, Priya, who starts living in a villa with her six year old daughter, Kriya, after the death of her husband. The villa is haunted by an evil spirit of a woman who becomes obsessed with Kriya and seeks to take her away from her mother.
2. Aval
Aval is a 2017 Tamil supernatural horror film which was also released in Hindi. The movie is a well-made horror flick which scares the audience without appearing monotonous. Directed and co-written by Milind Raut, the movie features Siddharth and Andrea Jeremiah in the lead roles.
Aval follows a married couple, Dr. Krishnakanth Acharya and Lakshmi, who are living a peaceful life in a mountain town. However, hell breaks loose and paranormal attacks began when a family moves into their neighbouring house. The unexpected final scene of the movie leaves the audience spellbound.
3. Eeram
Eeram, released in the year 2009, is a Tamil horror crime thriller which received critical acclaim for its cinematography, narrative, theme, cast performance and music. The movie is written and directed by Arivazhagan and features Aadhi Pinisetty and Nandha in lead roles alongside Sindhu Menon and Saranya Menon in supporting roles.
Eeram follows a police officer, ACP Vasudevan, who starts investigating the mysterious death of his former girlfriend, Ramya. During the course of the investigation, he comes across many other murders committed by a supernatural entity which he struggles to fight.
4. Ezra
Ezra, released in the year 2017, is a Malayalam supernatural horror film which has received positive reviews for creating an eerie atmosphere, gripping storyline, impressive background track and top-notch cinematography. The movie is written and directed by Jay K, and features Prithviraj Sukumaran and Priya Anand in lead roles.
Plot of Ezra revolves around a couple, Ranjan Matthew and Priya Raghuram. Priya purchases an antique box containing an ancient Jewish spirit. The spirit possesses Priya and Ranjan struggles hard to save his wife from the spirit.
5. Yaavarum Nalam
Yaavarum Nalam is a 2009 Tamil language horror film with an engrossing screenplay which keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Apart from Tamil, the movie was also shot in Hindi and released as 13B. The film is written and directed by Vikram Kumar, and features R. Madhavan and Neetu Chandra in lead roles.
Yaavarum Nalam follows a civil engineer named Manohar who moves into a new flat with his family. Strange things start happening in his life, including the story of a television serial which mimics the happenings in his own life.
6. Demonte Colony
Demonte Colony, released in the year 2015, is a Tamil horror flick which has received positive reviews for its storyline, narration, pacing, lighting and background music. Directed by R. Ajay Gnanmuthu, the movie stars Arunlithi, Sananth, Ramesh Tilak and Abhishek Joseph George in lead roles.
Demonte Colony’s plot revolves around four friends who visit a haunted mansion in Demonte Colony and spend the night there. One of the friends steals a cursed necklace from the mansion which plunges the four friends into a struggle to save their lives in face of supernatural forces.
7. Bhoothkalam
Bhoothkalam is a 2022 Malayalam horror movie which captivates the audience on the back of its spine-chilling horror moments and an eerie atmosphere. Directed and written by Rahul Sadasivan, the movie features Shane Nigam and Revathy in lead roles.
Bhoothkalam comes in the horror house genre with a psychological twist. The plot centres on a haunted house inhabited by two spirits and the horrors they unleash on an alcoholic man, Vinu, and his mother, Asha.
8. Arundhati
Arundhati is a 2009 Telugu fantasy horror movie which is based on reincarnation. The movie is known for its engaging script, high-end cinematography, brilliant screenplay and fine music. Directed Kodi Ramakrisha, Arundhati stars Anushka Shetty in the lead role with Sonu Sood playing villain.
Arundhati follows the struggles of a descendant of the royal dynasty of Gadwal named Arundhati. She is forced to fight an evil mystic like her great-grandmother Jejamma had 3 generations earlier.
9. Pisassu
Pisassu, released in the year 2014, is a Tamil horror film which blends chilling moments with love and emotional drama. The movie is directed and written by Shanmugha Raja and features Naga and Prayaga Martin in lead roles.
Plot of Pisassu revolves around an aspiring violinist named Siddharth who tries to save the life of an injured girl in vain. The spirit of the dead girl haunts Siddharth, leading to a number of twists and turns.
10. Pizza
Pizza is a 2012 Tamil horror film which has received positive reviews for its solid script, excellent cinematography, top-notch screenplay and top class performance by the cast. The movie is directed and written by Karthick Subbaraj, and features Vijay Sethupathi and Remya Nambeesan in lead roles.
Pizza follows a pizza delivery man named Michael Karthikeyan who has a grisly supernatural experience while delivering pizza at a house. Consequently, he gets into a deep trouble. The climax leaves the audience spellbound.
Conclusion
Most of the above mentioned movies are available on various OTT platforms in Hindi and other languages. South Indian cinema offers both conventional horror movies as well as horror movies with unique twists.