Before the modern era, Tamil horror was experimental, often borrowing from Bengali and Hindi cinema but adding local folklore.
The 90s saw horror weaponized as a tool for social drama or revenge. These films were blockbusters.
Tamil cinema (Kollywood) has a rich history of horror, ranging from classic haunted mansions to modern psychological thrillers. While the industry is famous for the "horror-comedy" genre, recent years have seen a surge in serious, atmospheric filmmaking that rivals international standards. The Pioneers: Establishing the Genre Aayiram Jenmangal