Bollywood is no longer confined to romantic dramas and action thrillers — and horror is no longer just about screams, flickering lights, and creaking doors. In recent years, leading women have redefined the genre, bringing psychological depth, commercial success, and powerful storytelling to the forefront.
Now, Tamannaah Bhatia is all set to join the league of actresses who have made horror mainstream, strengthening her place alongside names like Vidya Balan, Tabu, and Shraddha Kapoor.
Vidya Balan – Bhool Bhulaiyaa
Long before horror-comedy became one of Bollywood’s most beloved genres, Vidya Balan redefined it with the cult classic Bhool Bhulaiyaa. As Avni/Manjulika, she delivered a layered, psychological, and unforgettable performance that blended dread with drama.
She proved horror could be intelligent, emotionally gripping, and commercially successful — all at once. Even today, her portrayal of Manjulika remains a benchmark whenever the genre is discussed.
Tabu – Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2
In 2022, Tabu restored the spooky credibility of the franchise with a compelling double-shaded performance in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. Audiences had rarely seen her in such a space before, yet she elevated the sequel beyond mere jump scares and comic beats.
Her performance added intrigue, unpredictability, and gravitas — reinforcing how female-led horror narratives can anchor big-ticket entertainers.
Tamannaah Bhatia – Ragini MMS 3
Tamannaah Bhatia now steps into the horror arena with Ragini MMS 3, a gripping date-night entertainer that promises thrills, humour, and edge-of-the-seat moments. The third installment of the franchise marks an exciting new chapter, with Tamannaah shedding glamour stereotypes to embrace a complex and high-impact genre.
With her strong box-office track record and magnetic screen presence, she is poised to become the driving force behind what could be another blockbuster in the making.
Shraddha Kapoor – Stree Franchise
Modern horror-comedy conversations are incomplete without Shraddha Kapoor’s Stree universe. She turned the mysterious ‘Stree’ into a pop-culture phenomenon, helping build one of Bollywood’s most successful horror franchises.
Through Stree, she demonstrated that horror could be commercially grand, meme-worthy, and culturally iconic — all while retaining strong recall value.
Nushrratt Bharuccha – Chhorii
Nushrratt Bharuccha added a powerful dimension to her filmography with Chhorii, a socially layered horror drama. Balancing fear, vulnerability, resilience, and maternal instinct, she delivered a raw and unsettling performance — proving that horror can be deeply meaningful without relying on glamour or comic relief.
Bollywood’s leading women are not just starring in horror — they are shaping it. They’re building franchises, redefining commercial viability, and proving that fear can be female-led and box-office strong.
The genre has evolved — and women are leading the charge.
