While primarily a laugh riot, the film takes its horror seriously enough to work. The story follows a debt-ridden young man who moves into a bungalow with a group of friends, only to discover the spirit of a murdered actress. Sudigali Sudheer’s comedy and the jump scares are perfectly balanced.
It feels like it could happen to your next-door neighbor. 4. Rajugari Gadhi (2015) – The Trendsetter for Modern Horror While Arundhati was a grand spectacle, Rajugari Gadhi (and its franchise) popularized low-budget, high-impact horror for the multiplex generation. Directed by Ohmkar, this film mixes a reality TV show setup with a genuine haunted palace legend.
The film cleverly blurs the line between reality, hallucination, and the supernatural. It doesn't hold your hand; it trusts you to be confused before delivering a gut-punch of a twist. top 5 horror movies in telugu
What makes Masooda terrifying is its relatability—the cramped apartment, the financial struggles, the helplessness of modern medicine failing against ancient evil. Sangeetha’s performance as the possessed mother is chillingly authentic.
Telugu horror is finally finding its voice—one that whispers from dark corners rather than shouting from a pulpit. Lights off? While primarily a laugh riot, the film takes
The film pits her against the terrifying Pasupathi (Sonu Sood), a sadistic feudal lord who returns as a vengeful spirit. With its grand sets, haunting background score, and a climax involving a Yantra (mystical diagram), Arundhati set the gold standard for Telugu horror. It is terrifying, majestic, and unforgettable.
It isn't afraid to use modern VFX and loud sound design for jump scares, but it grounds the story in a tragic love story. The sequel, Rajugari Gadhi 2 , starring Nagarjuna, further expanded the universe, but the original remains the freshest. It feels like it could happen to your next-door neighbor
Since Telugu cinema (Tollywood) has historically been dominated by action, drama, and romance, pure horror is a relatively niche but growing genre. This list focuses on films that genuinely tried to scare, thrill, or unsettle the audience, rather than those relying solely on comedy or CGI spectacle. When you think of Telugu cinema, you likely imagine high-octane hero entries, larger-than-life fight sequences, and vibrant song-and-dance routines. Horror, however, has often been treated as a side dish—usually a comic track featuring a bumbling ghost.