The horror genre in Indian cinema has its roots in the 1940s and 1950s, with films like (1945) and Ratnavati (1950). However, it wasn't until the 1970s and 1980s that Bhoothakaalam gained popularity, with films like Cheekh (1970) and Kala Nag (1975). These early films laid the foundation for the modern horror movies that followed.
