By Anil Merani: The just launched Colours horror saga, Noyontara, promises a chilling supernatural narrative centred on a ghost-whisperer who navigates family secrets and encounters with the spectral world. To captivate its audience with fresh scares, the show must skillfully avoid the conventional tropes that often plague Indian horror, usually referred to as “desi supernatural firetraps,” which can make stories feel stale and predictable. By sidestepping these clichés and leveraging its unique premise of a ghost-whisperer entangled in family secrets, Noyontara has the potential to deliver a spine-chilling experience that stands out in the genre.
Below, I outline key pitfalls to avoid and strategies to effectively frighten audiences, drawing on insights from the horror genre and the show’s distinctive elements.
One major pitfall is the overused archetype of the vengeful or tragic female ghost, often depicted as a figure in a white sari with long hair and a backstory of betrayal or murder, as seen in films like Stree and older Indian TV serials. This trope risks feeling repetitive and uninspired. Noyontara can bypass this by presenting ghosts with varied personalities, as highlighted by actress Shruti Bhist, who notes that the show features “good ghosts, guardians, or misunderstood” entities. For example, the mischievous ghost Hasiram acts as an ally rather than a threat, subverting the typical narrative of malevolent spirits. By emphasizing the emotional complexity of its supernatural characters and avoiding the vengeful female ghost trope, the show can create compelling and unpredictable ghostly interactions, leaving the audience both relieved and intrigued.
Another cliché to avoid is the predictable haunted setting, such as the creaky ancestral haveli or abandoned mansion with cobwebs and flickering lights, as seen in films like Tumbbad. While such settings can be atmospheric, they often feel formulaic if the horror relies solely on generic elements like creaking doors. Noyontara, set in the grand Pari Mahal, can differentiate itself by focusing on the psychological weight of the setting rather than just its gothic aesthetics. The Pari Mahal, with its grandeur and history, can become a character in its own right, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative. The emphasis on a ‘web of secrets’ tied to greed suggests that the scares will stem from unravelling hidden truths rather than overused haunted house tropes. Incorporating modern or urban elements, as seen in contemporary Indian horror such as Frankly Spooking, could further refresh the setting and make it more relatable.
Indian horror often relies on predictable jump scares and exaggerated CGI, such as sudden ghostly appearances or demonic visuals, which can feel cheap if overdone, as noted in films like Ghoul. To avoid this, Noyontara can embrace subtle horror, using the ‘Nothing Is Scarier’ approach, where suspense and ambiguity create dread. This strategy relies on the audience’s imagination and fear of the unknown, departing from the typical loud sound effects and visual spectacles of Indian horror. The show’s premise, featuring characters like the manipulative Lata and protective Lalita (the dual mother-in-law figures), can build tension through uncertainty and mistrust, keeping audiences on edge. The emotional depth of Dr Surjo, a sceptic grappling with grief, as described by Arjun Chakrabarty, can ground the horror in human fears, making it more impactful.
The skeptic-versus-believer dynamic, where a rational character dismisses the supernatural until undeniable proof emerges, is another tired trope. Dr. Surjo’s scientific mindset risks falling into this pattern. Noyontara can innovate by giving Surjo’s scepticism nuance, portraying his journey as a confrontation with personal grief rather than a simplistic conversion to belief. Additionally, the show’s ghost-whispering ability, framed as a strength rather than a curse, avoids the “helpless heroine” stereotype, positioning the protagonist as an active character navigating both worlds with agency.
Many Indian horror stories incorporate heavy-handed social messages, similar to those in Bulbbul or Kaali Khuhi, which can come across as preachy if not handled subtly. Noyontara can sidestep this by focusing on personal stakes, such as Noyontara’s mission to save Surjo and uncover family secrets, as Narayani Shastri suggests. The mother-in-law conflict offers a nuanced exploration of human motives, maintaining suspense without moralizing. Furthermore, the show can avoid reliance on clichéd supernatural MacGuffins, like cursed artefacts, by centring the narrative on Noyontara’s intuitive abilities and her interactions with spirits like Hasiram, creating organic horror.
To effectively scare audiences, Noyontara can leverage psychological tension, using the blurred lines between guidance and manipulation to evoke a “Disguised Horror Story” effect that keeps viewers guessing. The show’s emphasis on psychological tension, blending fantasy and horror, can make ghosts feel both familiar and unsettling. The emotional conflict between Noyontara and Surjo, set against Calcutta’s evocative backdrop, can create a slow-burn atmosphere, while urban cultural nuances could further enhance the narrative.