After ‘Kantara’, dive into 9 Indian stories where folklore meets cinema

We say it upfront — Kantara remains unmatched in Indian cinema. Yet, a few films come close to recreating its primal energy and divine mysticism. When Kantara hit theatres in 2022, it struck like lightning. Its drumbeats echoed in the spine of every viewer. The story of gods, men, and faith blurred the line between devotion and fear. Now, Kantara: Chapter 1 dives deeper into that mythic world. It reminds us once again that not all horror comes from evil — sometimes, it flows from divinity older than time itself.

Though not pure horror, Kantara carries the pulse of it. Its terror rises from sacred groves, not haunted houses. It speaks of faith turning fierce, of nature’s spirits guarding their ground. It’s a new kind of horror — “divine horror.” It doesn’t scare you with ghosts but with belief. Few films tap into that energy, but some capture its spiritual depth and cultural soul.

Tumbbad (2018) stands tall among them. Set in colonial Maharashtra, it explores greed and divine wrath through the tale of Hastar, the cursed child of a goddess. Its visuals drip with rain, decay, and desire — a cinematic hymn to human hunger.

Then comes Lokah Chapter One: Chandra (2025). A Yakshi with otherworldly powers defends the innocent in a corrupt world. The movie blends myth, morality, and action — a reminder that the divine feminine can protect and punish alike.

In Hanu-Man (2024), a small-time thief turns hero after discovering a gem blessed by Lord Hanuman. The film fuses faith and fantasy, proving myth can thrive in the modern world.

Before Kantara, Arundhati (2009) had already roared with spiritual vengeance. Anushka Shetty’s reincarnated princess faces evil in palaces haunted by curses and rituals.

Films like Churuli, Bulbbul, Aval, Pulimurugan, and Ezra explore similar terrain — where folklore breathes and belief burns. Each of them roots its story in local legend, offering a glimpse into India’s timeless connection with the divine.

As Kantara: Chapter 1 expands its mythic universe, these films remind us that fear and faith often share the same face. Until the next chapter arrives, these tales will keep that fire alive.