Paheli to Churuli: 8 Indian cinematic adaptations of folktales

Paheli (2005) Based on a Rajasthani folk tale, this Amol Palekar film starring Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji follows the story of a ghost who falls in love with a woman and takes the disguise of her husband. The film is a remake of Mani Kaul’s original film titled Duvidha and also takes inspiration from Kannada film, Nagamandala which is about a serpent who takes up the disguise of a man to be with the woman he loves. It was in turn based on a Girish Karnad play of the same name. (Photo: Movie Poster)

Bakita Byaktigato (2013) Arguably one of the best Bengali films of the last decade, this National Award-winning film starring the formidable Ritwick Chakraborty, follows the story of a documentary film-maker who goes to a village to shoot a documentary on true love. The catch? Legend says that anyone who enters the village is bound to fall in love themselves. Following a quasi-documentary narrative style itself, this film is an absolute must watch for lovers of indie pieces from our country. (Photo: Movie Poster)

Kothanodi (2015) This Assamese gem starring Adil Hussain and Seema Biswas by Bhaskar Hazarika, is a dark feminist take on four folktales from Assam - involving the story of a woman who marries her daughter to a python, a woman who plots to murder her step-daughter, a third who gives birth to an elephant apple and a fourth woman who is determined to prevent her husband from killing her fourth child. The gorgeous visuals in saturated tones only enhance the sense of eerie that this film deeply exudes. (Photo: Movie Poster)

Mirzya (2016) This polarising film by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, is a visual tour de force which adapts the Punjabi folklore of Mirza and Sahibaan to modern times. The film follows the story of Mohnish, a stable boy, and Suchitra, a soon-to-be princess. The narrative in the current time-line is interspersed with musical reimaginations of the original ancient folktale in a Bhansali-esque fever dream style of cinematography. (Photo: Movie Poster)

Vikram Vedha (2017) This Tamil neo-noir thriller is based on the legend of Vikram and Vetaal, as it follows a police officer Vikram and his pursuit of a gangster Vedha. After the latter is captured, he offers to tell the former three stories which shall change his perception of good and evil. This Pushkar-Gaythri directed film of critical acclaim is soon to be seen on screen in its Hindi remake starring Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan. (Photo: Movie Poster)

Tumbbad (2018) This morality tale slash horror film with internationally acclaimed cinematography and visuals is based on the myth of Hastar - the first born of the Goddess of Prosperity, whose womb is the earth itself. At once a morality drama and a parable for nation coming into its own, this film is a stunning recreation of the indigenous universe of local tales by Marathi writer Narayan Darpe.

Bulbbul (2020) This Netflix produced supernatural thriller by Anvita Dutt is based on rural Bengal narratives of female ghosts and tales from the cult of Kali. Following the tale of a young child bride and her marriage to a mentally challenged man, this violent tale of abuse and vengeance is a feat of visual story-telling - with excellent usage of baul folk music from Bengal as well. (Photo: Movie Poster)

Churuli (2021) This audacious thriller by Lijo Jose Pellissery is a film that begins with the story of a monk in the pursuit of an evil forest spirit. Deluded into believing that he has caught him, the monk is only set on a different path by the spirit. This film which deals with morality, aliens and time-loops is a delicious ode to what magic can be achieved if a director truly marries his international sensibilities with ideas that are truly regional. (Photo: Movie Poster)