BackNetflix to stream horror comedy ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’
The film, a standalone sequel to Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), had released in cinemas last month and had made over ₹179 crore at last count
PremiumNEW DELHI : Horror comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 starring Kartik Aaryan, Tabu and Kiara Advani will stream on Netflix, the platform has said. The film, a standalone sequel to Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), had released in cinemas last month and had made over ₹179 crore at last count. The original had earned close to ₹50 crore in domestic box office collections and had also featured Vidya Balan, Shiney Ahuja and Amisha Patel.
To be sure, Bollywood is betting big on horror comedies, with films like Roohi most recently. The makers of Roohi, also known for Stree, will release Bhediya, starring Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon later this year which will complete their horror comedy universe. Industry experts say this is an effort to turn the traditional horror genre on its head and churn out films, many of which are based on folk tales and legends and bring in local cultural nuances instead of simply having stories centred on supernatural forces.
Horror, they add, has worked in India since the days of the Ramsay brothers and when it is merged with comedy, it only drives audiences to laugh louder and get more scared, an experience that is ultimately aimed at enticing them to enter cinemas. That makes it an important ploy for an industry struggling to fill seats in movie theatres with the emergence of video streaming platforms and the plethora of entertainment options they offer, a trend that has only been accelerated by the covid-19 pandemic.
Media experts say unlike many other genres, horror is not dependent on stars and it is up to the content to make a mark, send shivers down the spine or in these cases, make people smile. Films made by Ramsay brothers such as Do Ghaz Zameen Ke Niche (1972) and Purana Mandir (1984) had worked without any familiar faces.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
