Diwali meets Halloween: Six Indian fantasy characters to add a desi spin to spooky season!

In a strange turn of events, Halloween pairing up with Diwali in India gives us the perfect opportunity to bring out our desi style for celebrating both festivals!

October 31st hasn’t always been a significant event in India, as Halloween was rarely celebrated here. However, with the rise of globalization and comic book fandom, it has slowly gained popularity, especially among younger generations. These days, it's not uncommon to see kids trick-or-treating dressed as superheroes or Barbie. While Indian characters occasionally make an appearance at Halloween parties, Hollywood still inspires most costumes! Why not? After all, is this horror festivaln’t an Indian festival? But with Bollywood’s current obsession with horror comedies and fantasy genres, we now have a range of desi characters that would make perfect Halloween costumes! Plus, with Halloween overlapping with Diwali this year, what better way to celebrate than by dressing up as Indian fantasy icons?

Also Read: 10 content creator characters you can dress up as this Halloween!

Here are a few characters from recent Bollywood horror comedies that could be your go-to for the spine-chillingly scary season:

Stree

Whether you want to embody the eerie presence of Stree in a red saree and long braid or channel Shraddha Kapoor's stylish yet mysterious look from the film—this character is an excellent pick for Halloween. Don’t forget the "O Stree, kal aana" sign for authenticity!

Sarkata

This terrifying character from the Stree universe may be a typical male villain, but his ghastly appearance makes him perfect for anyone looking for a classic horror look. His decapitated head and menacing demeanour will definitely turn heads at a horror party.

Rooh Baba

Kartik Aaryan’s Rooh Baba from Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 is not only fun but also gives off the ultimate desi vibe. Whether you opt for the yellowish look Akshay Kumar made famous in the original Bhool Bhulaiyaa or Kartik’s version of black, Rooh Baba is a perfect blend of spooky and stylish just as much as dancing to the tune of Hare Ram Hare Krishna is! 

Chhote Pandit

Rajpal Yadav's Chhote Pandit is a comedic, exaggerated character, making him ideal for those looking to add some humour to their costume. Just be prepared to paint yourself red and avoid water all night, as his hilarious red getup requires total commitment!

Manjulika

If there’s one character that embodies the Indian version of a witch, it’s Manjulika from Bhool Bhulaiyaa. She’s the OG ghost, dancing to the haunting tune of Ami je tomar. Her saree, messy hair and intense kohl-lined eyes make for an iconic ghostly look.

Munjya or Bhediya

Feeling ambitious? Transform yourself into a Munjya (a green ghost) or go full Bhediya werewolf! While this might be a bit challenging to execute, the spooky result is worth the effort, making you stand out among other costume choices.

These modern horror comedies offer a plethora of characters to choose from. In fact, why not gather your friends and go as the gang from Stree—Vicky, Jana, Bittu, and Rudra Bhaiya? A group costume that will surely bring the Halloween and Diwali festivities together! So, this Halloween, instead of going for the typical Hollywood character, embrace Bollywood’s growing fantasy and horror universe for an Indian twist on the spooky season.

Who are you going to dress up as for this Halloween Diwali twist? Tell us in the comments below! 

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