After the blockbuster success of Munjya, director Aditya Sarpotdar returned with another film, Kakuda. Featuring Sonakshi Sinha, Riteish Deshmukh, and Saqeeb Saleem, the film offers yet another horror comedy with a folklore spin. Released on July 12, 2024, the film revolves around the curse of Kakuda, in which the men of the household get afflicted with a hunchback if certain rules are not followed.
What follows is a series of events in which Indira (Sonakshi Sinha), along with ghosthunter Victor Jacobs (Riteish Deshmukh), goes on a mission to relieve her husband (Saqeeb Saleem) from this curse. As fans enjoy the latest movie, here’s a list of films that share the same vein.
Munjya
Before ZEE5’s Kakuda, director Aditya Sarpotdar delivered the recent blockbuster hit Munjya featuring Sharvari Wagh, Abhay Varma, and more. The film revolves around a sinister ghost with an unfulfilled wish who clings to Abhay Varma’s innocent character to help him actualize the wish. With catchy songs, Varun Dhawan’s cameo, and CGI CGI-heavy supernatural character, the film is among the recent highest-grossing supernatural hits.
Stree
Streaming Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Stree, directed by Amar Kaushik, is a trailblazer in the horror-comedy genre. The film features Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor and revolves around the urban legend of a female spirit who abducts men at night. With its perfect mix of chills and laughs, Stree has set a high bar for horror comedies in India. The film’s iconic one-liners and performances make it a must-watch for fans of the genre. As the tagline “Mard ko dard hoga” suggests, the film combines fear with humor effectively. In addition, the makers are now coming back with Stree 2.
Roohi
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Following the success of Stree, the same production team brought Roohi to the big screen. Directed by Hardik Mehta, the film features Rajkummar Rao, Janhvi Kapoor, and Varun Sharma. Another horror-comedy genre, Roohi, revolved around the story of a ghost who abducts brides on their honeymoon. The film’s quirky characters and humorous dialogues add a lighter tone to the otherwise creepy plot, making it an enjoyable watch like Kakuda.
Ghost Stories
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Ghost Stories is an anthology film featuring four short horror stories directed by some of India’s top filmmakers, including Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee, and Anurag Kashyap. Each story offers a one-of-a-kind blend of horror and dark humor, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre.
The anthology format allows for a diverse range of horror elements, from psychological thrills to supernatural scares. Furthermore, the Netflix production features Mrunal Thakur, Sobhita Dhulipala, Gulshan Deviah, Janhvi Kapoor, and more.
Bulbbul
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Anvita Dutt’s directorial debut Bulbul, set in the late 19th century in Bengal, follows the story of a young girl named Bulbbul, played by Triptii Dimri, who is married off at a very young age to a much older man, Indranil, played by Rahul Bose. As Bulbbul grows up, she transforms from a carefree, spirited child who loves climbing trees to a restrained, obedient wife living in a grand mansion.
The household includes Indranil’s mentally challenged twin brother Mahendra, also played by Bose, Mahendra’s wife Binodini (Paoli Dam), and Indranil’s younger brother Satya (Avinash Tiwary). After a horrendous event, the film takes a different turn mixing feminism with supernatural elements in a gothic atmosphere and haunting storyline. All in all, making it a standout in the horror genre.
Kakuda has undoubtedly added to the popularity of horror-comedy films in India. With its successful release on ZEE5 Global, fans of the genre have a lot to look forward to. These films, each with their unique take on combining horror and comedy, are perfect picks for those who enjoyed Kakuda. Whether you’re in the mood for a ghost story, a supernatural thriller, or a comedic take on horror, this list has something for every fan of the genre.
