Age old narratives brought to life on silver screen

Indian cinema has increasingly turned to its rich tapestry of folklore and mythology, unearthing captivating narratives from the diverse regions of the country offering audience a fresh perspective on age-old narratives while contributing to the evolution of Indian cinema.

Many films draw inspiration from Indian folklore and mythology, unearthing stories from the remote corners of the country where tribes and communities still hold these legends close and continue to practice their traditions. They not only showcase the depth of Indian culture but have also found significant success at the box office, highlighting the audience’s appreciation for these narratives that celebrate the Indian mythology, cultures and traditions on the silver screen.

Stree

Stree (Woman) featuring Bollywood actors Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, and Abhishek Banerjee captivated both Indian and international audiences, achieving massive success. Its sequel, released in 2024, shattered box office records, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi language film to date in India. The story of the film skilfully weaves in the urban legend of Nale Ba, which translates to ‘come tomorrow’ in Kannada, into a masterpiece horror-comedy that humorously explores the challenges women face in society.

The legend used as the backdrop of the film and its sequel follows an eerie tale of a monovalent witch preying on unsuspecting men in Bengaluru, Karnataka in the 1990s. This witch was said to possess the chilling ability to mimic the voices of loved ones, luring unsuspecting individuals into opening their doors at night. Once a man let her in, he would mysteriously die within 24 hours, leaving only his clothes behind for grieving families to discover.

The terror-struck residents, to protect themselves from these attacks, began writing Nale Ba on their doors and walls. This practice was intended to ward off the witch and her sinister visits, a practice, which was also seen in Stree and its sequel.

Even today, the inscriptions of Nale Ba can be seen on countless walls, a haunting reminder of the darkness that once terrorised the streets.

Amar Kaushik, the director of both the films in an interview noted that even though the film derives inspiration from Bengaluru’s Nale Ba legend, it is a mashup of several similar myths from across the country.

Tumbbad

Tumbbad is another masterpiece which seamlessly blends fear and folklore into a captivating tale with a strong message on uncontrollable greed, ambition and desire and its grave consequences. The film was praised for its breath-taking visuals, creating a hauntingly beautiful experience. Each scene delivered a chilling sensation, leaving the audience with an unsettling, skin-crawling feeling.

The film, set in tiny village of Tumbbad in Maharashtra, is built around legend of Hastar, a fallen god, disgraced and cursed for his insatiable greed and follows the tale of man from a family of his devotees who falls into the trap of greed and desire like the latter. Son of the goddess of prosperity who created the world, Hastar was born into an existence rich with gold and grains.

However, his desire to control all of her wealth transformed him from a celestial god into a malevolent figure. While his mother allowed him to possess the gold, conflict erupted when he attempted to seize the grains meant to sustain both gods and humans. In response to his ambition, his 160 million siblings waged war against him to protect these vital resources. To shield Hastar from their wrath, the goddess of prosperity hid him within her womb. Despite her intervention, the other gods insisted that Hastar should never be worshipped and that his name be erased from all texts and lore. A fact which plays well into the film’s narrative as even though movie positions Hastar as a Hindu god, there is no mention of him in any in traditional scriptures.

The film follows the story of Vinayak, a man who hails from a family of devotees of Hastar and his reckless quest to find the fallen god’s treasure. As the narrative unfolds, Vinayak draws his son into this perilous treasure hunt, driven by an insatiable greed that clouds his judgment. The film beautifully explores the dire consequences of greed, and how it can corrupt not only the seeker but the people around him.

Even though Tumbbad was not a commercial success when it first released in 2018, it captured the interest of the audience through OTT platforms during the pandemic which led to its rerelease in 2024, this time around the film did great numbers on the silver screen.

Pari

Pari (Fairy) is a 2018 Hindi-language horror film, starring Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in the lead role. The narrative of the film draws heavily from the legend of Islamic demon Ifrit, and a satanic Bangladeshi cult, Aulad Chakra that worships him. The movie, with remarkable artistry blends a true story with superstitions.

It draws from the reports of 1990s when numerous murdered children were found in the Satkhira district of Bangladesh. Around the same time, women started disappearing in the same district. People believed that it was a satanic group which abducted these women, forced them to get pregnant with the Ifrit’s child to further his lineage and later kill these children.

Anushka Sharma portrays a lonely woman who escapes from this sinister cult, seeking refuge and love with a compassionate Bengali man who opens his home and heart to her. As their relationship blossoms, a series of chilling and spine-tingling events unfold, revealing the dark secrets lurking beneath her surface. While the film initially struggled to make an impact at the box office, it eventually garnered the recognition it truly deserved, finding a dedicated audience and acclaim on online streaming platforms

Kantara

Kantara is vibrant visual spectacle rooted in a combination of ancient folklore and complexities of the present. The film beautifully explores the conflict between humans and nature in the modern capitalist world and the suffering of the native tribes. The film, released in 2022 is set in the backdrop of tribes and traditions of Tulu Nadu region in Karnataka. The Kannada language film narrates the tale of the Bhuta Kola tradition, a traditional dance which honours the spirits of deities and ancestors.

The deities Panjurli, associated with agriculture and prosperity and Koti Chennayya representing the spirit of justice and protection worshipped by the indigenous community play a crucial role in the film’s narrative. The mystical and vibrant dances in Kantara, combined with the authenticity and craftsmanship of its portrayal of local traditions, create a stunning visual spectacle.

The rawness of the screenplay delivers a bone-chilling impact, immersing the audience in a world where folklore and reality intertwine. The film performed exceptionally well at the silver screen, and received appreciation for its commendable storytelling, performances and cultural representation which further contributed to its commercial success.

Kalki

Another blockbuster film which broke several records at the time of its release in 2024, Kalki 2898 AD, a Telugu language science fiction marked the beginning of an ambitious two-part cinematic journey which draws inspiration from the legends of Mahabharata and Kalki Purana, two pivotal texts in Hindu culture, each rich with significance and timeless wisdom.

The movie set in a post-apocalyptic world follows the journey of Ashwathama, an important figure in the epic Mahabharata and reluctant hero confronting the forces of evil as he grapples through his destiny. The film intricately weaves elements of adventure, futuristic technology and action with profound themes routed in the Mahabharata and prophecies of the Kalki Puraan.

The film garnered appreciation from critics and audience alike, not just in India but internationally as well, for its stunning visuals, groundbreaking special effects and unique theme and storytelling. It became the highest grossing Telugu-language films of 2024 paving way to a much-anticipated sequel.

Munjya

Munjya is a Hindi-language, horror-comedy film inspired by the captivating Konkan folklore of the same name. The film released in 2024 achieved remarkable box office success, despite featuring a fresh cast without any major stars, much like its predecessors from the same production house, including Stree and Bhediya.

The narrative revolves around the legend of Munjya, tied to the upanayana ceremony, held in the families living Konkan region of Maharashtra, a significant rite performed when a boy turns seven, where a sacred thread is tied around his waist. After this ceremony, the boy is referred to as Munjya.

According to folklore, Munjya is a term used to represent the souls of boys who pass away before marriage following the upanayana. While the original legend carries a sense of eerie foreboding, this film offers a comedic twist to the urban myth, blending humour with elements of horror in a unique and entertaining way. Some other notable examples that draw inspiration from Indian mythology include, Vikram Veda, a pan Indian film which was later remade into Hindi language draws inspiration from the legends of Vikram and Betal, Rajneeti, a political-drama which draws from the legends of Mahabharata, Bulbbul, a horror film set in colonial Bengal, which beautifully utilises folklore to address gender-based discrimination and patriarchy and many more. By bringing these captivating legends and rich cultural to the forefront, these films offer a unique glimpse into the vibrant tapestry of Indian life and beliefs.