Audiences are currently celebrating a mixture of screams and laughter as director Vijesh Panathur's horror-comedy film Prakambanam has hit theatres. The film has become a favourite among kids and those seeking a 'fun-ride’ rather than a 'stress-fest’. Starring Ganapathi, Sagar Surya, and Ameen, among others, the film transforms a simple college hostel setting into a playground for spirits and slapstick humour. Audiences are particularly praising Sagar Surya’s performance as a standout. With a collection of around 5 crore over the first seven days of its release, according to Sacnilk, and positive reviews, Prakambanam serves as another example of Malayalam cinema's mastery over the art of making us laugh even when we’re looking over our shoulders.
If the possessed madness of Prakambanam has left you wanting more, here are some notable choices from the the vault of horror-comedy.
If Prakambanam felt relatable because of its hostel vibes, it has its spiritual ancestor in 2023's Romancham. Set in a typical messy bachelor’s house in Bengaluru, the story follows a group of friends who out of boredom decide to play ouija board. Romancham is a masterclass in situational humour. There are no over-the-top jump scares; instead, the screams and the laughs come from the hilarious ways in which the characters react to the supernatural. It is grounded, witty, and arguably one of the best malayalam horror-comedies of recent years.
Before the genre became a staple in Kollywood, Yaamirukka Bayamey (2014) set a high bar for ''dry and adult humour'' mixed with real thrills. The plot follows a con artist who tries to turn a haunted ancestral property into a resort, only for his guests to start dying in bizarre ways. With a cast led by Krishna (Kiran) and a hilarious Karunakaran, the film subverts classic tropes, like the mysterious old man and the vengeful ghost, to keep you guessing and giggling until the final fact.
For those who enjoy the classic, mystical side of horror, Manthrikan (2012) offers a traditional yet funny experience. Starring Jayaram as Mukundan Unni, an ill-fated farmer who takes up his father's profession as an exorcist, the film explores the ridiculousness of ghost hunting. The comedic chemistry between Jayaram, Suraj Venjaramoodu, and Ramesh Pisharody give plenty of light-hearted moments among the spells and spirits.
The more recent and successful film in Sundar C's popular franchise, Aranmanai 4 amps up the scale in its haunted hause premise. Starring Tamannaah Bhatia and Raashii Khanna, the film explores a brother investigating the mysterious death of his sister, only to encounter a flesh-eating spirit. With Yogi Babu and VTV Ganesh handling the humour department, it's a colourful and highly energetic film.
Another popular horror-comedy franchise, Kanchana is helmed by its lead actor Raghava Lawrence himself. Kanchana 3 has been the most celebrated of all the entries in the franchise among kids. The film stars Raghava Lawrence as a young man who easily gets terrified of ghost but finds himself in the middle of the supernatural chaos. The film adds humour in middle of all the chaos that comes out of its bizarre situations. While visiting his grandparent's place for their wedding anniversary, Raghava Lawrence's character and his family unknowingly bring home a spirit that has trapped in a field.