Critics from The Hindu and other outlets praised its world-class sound design and cinematography, which are essential to its effectiveness.
While Arundhati sits on the throne, the Telugu horror genre has other gems worth exploring: best horror movie in telugu
Masooda (2022) Director: Saikiran Daida Why watch: This is the scariest film on this list. Based on true events, it deals with a Dyamakku (a vengeful female spirit) targeting a middle-class family. No songs, no romance, no comedy. Just relentless dread and excellent performances. It is the "A24-style" horror of Telugu cinema. Critics from The Hindu and other outlets praised
Arundhati (2009) Director: Kodi Ramakrishna Why it’s the best: Widely considered the greatest Telugu horror film of all time . It features Anushka Shetty in a dual role (a modern woman and her 19th-century ancestor). The villain, a sadistic magician named Pasupathi, is terrifying. The film relies on grand sets, visual effects (ahead of its time), and a haunting background score rather than cheap jumps. No songs, no romance, no comedy
: Directed by Ram Gopal Varma , this film is often called India’s answer to The Exorcist . It relies on silence and technical camera work to create an eerie atmosphere without "cringey gimmicks".
The film’s brilliance lies in its non-linear storytelling. It oscillates between the present and a dark past, revealing the terrifying history of Pasupathi (Sonu Sood), a womancursing, tantric villain whose spirit has been trapped in the palace for decades, waiting for revenge. The concept of reincarnation is handled not just as a narrative device, but as a terrifying inevitability. The protagonist isn't just running from a ghost; she is forced to confront the unfinished business of her previous life.