The cakey make up, the flying furniture, the disfigured bodies and the overacting sometimes went overboard, but those old horror shows really scared the shit out of us. We preferred watching them with our families as they were too scary to be watched alone. These horrors shows from the 90s and early 2000s made sure that everyone at home watched together and freaked out together.
Here are 10 of the best shows that gave us sleepless nights:
1. Aahat
Its scary background music still haunts me as I write this. Aahat was synonymous with horror shows for a lot of us, and was first aired in 1996. With its spooky storyline displaying paranormal activities, the show gained mass popularity and we would eagerly wait for it on Sony TV.
2. Ssshhhh…Koi Hai
Ssshh..Koi Hai and Ssshhh…Fir Koi Hai were aired on Star Plus. Vikraal, the main protagonist, was played by Mamik Singh and later by Salil Ankola. The ghosts and zombies of the show were so convincing that we watched the show for its suspense and mystery despite being scared.
3. Mano Ya Na Mano
The Balaji production was inspired by Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. Hosted by Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan, the show successfully wreaked havoc in our minds.
4. Woh
Remember the Joker with the sinister laughter? He almost made us pee in our pants. The mystical series was based on the life of seven teenagers with director Ashutosh Gowariker playing a major role. Shreyas Talpade also played a child artist in the show.
5. Zee Horror Show
A Ramsay Brothers production, this one featured Javed Khan, Ajinkya Deo and Archana Puran Singh who gained fame through the series. So much did the show influence our lives that we were afraid of sleeping with the lights off.
6. Achanak 37 Saal Baad
Based on a small town called Gahota, Achanak 37 Saal Baad revolved around the town which experienced paranormal activities and bloodshed every 37 years. The show was appreciated for its storyline and thriller appeal.
7. X-Zone
X-Zone was critically acclaimed for its special effects. Popular actors like Ashutosh Rana and Kay Kay Menon featured in the show.
8. Raat Hone Ko Hai
Raat Hone Ko Hai was first premiered on Sahara channel in 2004. BP Singh, the king of horror shows, produced this show which gave us sleepless nights.
9. Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat
The show revolved around the life of a girl next door played by Geetanjali Tikekar and later by Pallavi Kulkarni. Rajeev Khandelwal played the male lead. An entertaining show, it added the right amount of thrill and mystery to our mundane lives.
10. Anhoniyon Ka Andhera
Produced by Vikram Bhatt, this one came on the block only recently, but was appreciated for its impressive direction. The show revolved around supernatural powers in a mystical world and investigated them.
So, which of these 10 was your favourite?
