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Can zombies and witches save Bollywood from its troubles?

Horror films were some of the highest-earners in Bollywood in 2024.

Bollywood films are known for their epic love stories, energetic dance numbers and huge stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra. However, the industry - like Hollywood - has faced a slump since the Covid pandemic.

But 2024 marked a new trend; the box office success of horror. Shaitaan, for example, earned over $25m worldwide. We speak to film critic and journalist Yasser Usman and Bollywood influencer Aaina Mehta to hear whether they think witches, zombies and evil spirits could pull more people back to the cinema.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Mora Morrison and Benita Barden
Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

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9 minutes

Last on

Sat 4 Jan 202503:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Fri 3 Jan 202518:50GMT
  • Sat 4 Jan 202503:50GMT

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