Horror
and
black
magic
films
found
renewed
momentum
in
2025,
with
Hindi
cinema
exploring
fear
through
folklore,
psychological
tension,
and
emotional
depth
rather
than
relying
solely
on
jump
scares.
What
truly
elevated
these
stories
were
performances
that
brought
conviction,
vulnerability,
and
intensity
to
narratives
rooted
in
faith,
superstition,
and
the
unknown.
From
unsettling
supernatural
thrillers
to
emotionally
charged
dramas,
here’s
a
look
at
the
actors
who
delivered
standout
performances
in
the
genre
this
year.
Janki
Bodiwala
–
Vash
Level
2
Janki
Bodiwala
emerged
as
one
of
the
strongest
performers
in
the
horror
space
with
Vash
Level
2.
Building
on
the
success
of
the
first
installment,
she
delivered
a
controlled
yet
deeply
unsettling
performance
that
anchored
the
film’s
psychological
tension.
Her
ability
to
balance
fear,
resilience,
and
emotional
fragility
made
the
black
magic-driven
narrative
both
engaging
and
believable.
Nushrratt
Bharuccha
–
Chhorii
2
Nushrratt
Bharuccha
once
again
proved
her
strong
command
over
the
horror
genre
in
Chhorii
2.
Portraying
a
mother
battling
sinister
forces
rooted
in
superstition
and
social
horror,
the
actress
delivered
a
raw
and
emotionally
charged
performance.
Relying
more
on
internalised
fear
than
loud
theatrics,
Nushrratt
brought
depth
and
authenticity
to
her
character,
further
reinforcing
her
reputation
as
a
dependable
face
in
content-driven
horror
cinema.
Through
the
Chhorii
franchise,
she
not
only
explores
the
dark
world
of
black
magic
but
also
powerfully
highlights
deep-rooted
social
evils
that
continue
to
plague
society,
such
as
female
foeticide
and
child
marriage.
Ayushmann
Khurrana
&
Rashmika
Mandanna
–
Thama
Thama
stood
out
for
blending
horror
with
layered
storytelling,
and
its
lead
pair
rose
to
the
challenge.
Ayushmann
Khurrana
brought
depth
to
a
character
grappling
with
forces
beyond
logic,
while
Rashmika
Mandanna
added
emotional
gravity
and
vulnerability.
Together,
they
created
a
grounded
human
core
that
made
the
supernatural
elements
feel
far
more
impactful.
Kajol
–
Maa
Kajol’s
performance
in
Maa
became
one
of
the
most
talked-about
turns
in
the
genre
this
year.
She
portrayed
a
fiercely
protective
mother
confronting
dark,
occult
forces
with
remarkable
intensity.
Her
screen
presence,
emotional
strength,
and
restrained
portrayal
of
fear
added
gravitas
to
the
narrative,
proving
that
horror
can
be
powerful
without
excessive
theatrics.
Anita
Kulkarni
&
Amruta
Subhash
–
Jarann
Jarann
relied
heavily
on
performance-driven
horror,
and
Anita
Kulkarni
and
Amruta
Subhash
delivered
compelling
turns.
Their
nuanced
portrayals
of
women
entangled
in
ritualistic
belief
systems
and
psychological
dread
elevated
the
film
significantly.
Amruta’s
quiet
menace
paired
with
Anita’s
emotional
realism
resulted
in
a
haunting
cinematic
experience
that
lingered
long
after
the
credits
rolled.
In
2025,
Hindi
horror
and
black
magic
films
moved
beyond
jump
scares
and
surface-level
shocks.
It
was
the
performances,
layered,
vulnerable,
and
deeply
rooted
in
emotion,
that
made
the
fear
feel
real
and
linger
long
after
the
screen
went
dark.