Ah, the winter of 1999—a time when a little film called ‘The Blair Witch Project’ took the world by storm. With a budget of just $500,000, it managed to rake in over $200 million globally. Talk about a return on investment that would make anyone’s jaw drop! And let’s not forget about ‘Paranormal Activity’, made for a mere $200,000 but pulling in around $200 million, proving that the success of ‘The Blair Witch Project’ was no fluke.
But let’s rewind to 1973, when ‘The Exorcist’ sent shockwaves through the box office and audiences alike. With a modest budget of $12 million, it has since grossed a staggering $441 million, elevating the horror genre from its ‘B’ picture status to a force to be reckoned with. These are the kind of mind-boggling returns that the horror business can deliver.
Closer to home, we’ve seen our fair share of horror films making waves. Take ‘Stree 2’, for example, smashing records and joining the exclusive ‘600 crore club’ with a budget of around Rs 100 crore. And let’s not forget about ‘Munjya’, another standout from the same Universe, hitting the Rs 100 crore mark with a cast of fresh faces. Even ‘Shaitaan’ managed to send shivers down spines and cash registers ringing.
Horror may still be an untapped genre in India, but those brave enough to venture into it are reaping rich rewards. I can still vividly recall the days when the ‘Ramsay Brothers’ churned out their low-budget horror flicks, with gems like ‘Veerana’ and ‘Purana Mandir’ turning into profitable ventures. Remember their foray into 3D horror with ‘Saamri 3D’?
Then came the Bhatts, breathing new life into Indian horror with their desi twist on ‘What Lies Beneath’ in the form of ‘Raaz’. By infusing soul-stirring music, emotional depth, and gravitas, they revolutionized the genre, bidding adieu to the creature-feature style of the ‘Ramsay Brothers’. This reinvention paid off handsomely, with hits like ‘Haunted 3D’ sending chills down spines and cash flowing in. Who can forget the packed houses for ‘Raaz 3’, grossing nearly Rs 70 crore back in 2012?
While the Bhatt style may have seen a decline post ‘Raaz 3’, along came Amar Kaushik, injecting comedy into the horror template and striking gold. Others tried their hand at the genre, but none could match the box office success. Notable attempts include Ram Gopal Verma’s spine-tingling ventures like ‘Raat’ and ‘Bhoot’.
The power of horror lies in its ability to stir up strong emotions and primal instincts, triggering our fight-or-flight response and offering a cathartic release. By confronting our deepest fears in a safe space, horror films take us on an emotional rollercoaster, balancing tension with relief for a thrilling and therapeutic experience.
And let’s not forget the communal aspect of horror—the shared experience of fear and anticipation that intensifies in a group setting. As reactions of gasps, screams, and laughter spread like wildfire, the collective excitement and engagement reach new heights, making horror a truly immersive and interactive genre.
Recent surveys in the US show that 66% of Gen Z moviegoers prefer horror films, flocking to theaters for that adrenaline rush that streaming platforms can’t replicate. While comedy and drama struggle to draw audiences to cinemas, horror continues to thrive, boosting box-office revenues by a whopping 70% in North America compared to a decade ago.
With horror films often made on shoestring budgets, skipping flashy effects and A-list stars, they offer a high return on investment, outshining genres like adventure and science fiction in terms of profitability. In fact, horror films boast an average ROI of 173%, making them a goldmine for savvy producers.
As we navigate the post-pandemic landscape, Bollywood is in need of a genre that can draw audiences back to theaters and revitalize the industry. Horror, with its universal appeal and profit potential, stands ready to fill that void, offering a lifeline to the ailing theatrical ecosystem. With 2024 shaping up to be a banner year for horror in Bollywood, I can’t wait to see more producers embrace the chills and thrills that only a horror film can deliver, coming soon to a cinema near you.
