The Times of India

Bulbbul', 'Stree', 'Chhorii', 'Pari': Bollywood supernatural dramas tackling patriarchal oppression and feminist themes

From gothic folklore to small-town legends, these supernatural dramas use fear to expose patriarchy. In 'Bulbbul,' a young bride in nineteenth-century Bengal becomes the subject of chudail whispers as violence closes in. 'Stree' flips the script in Chanderi, where a spirit targets men during a festival. 'Pari' follows a woman chained in a hut, tied to occult rituals and social suspicion. 'Chhorii' traps a pregnant woman in a village haunted by erased girls. 'Durgamati: The Myth' turns possession into a power shift during a corruption probe. Here are five haunting films to add to your watchlist that challenge patriarchal myths.