Darna Mana Hai (2003) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 8 May 2026
Darna Mana Hai (2003) Review
A review of Darna Mana Hai (2003) (Hindi horror), directed by Prawaal Raman. Starring Sameera Reddy, Gaurav Kapur, Peeya Rai Chowdhary. Stranded in an abandoned building, six friends relate scary stories while a crazed killer lurks in the forest. Our Rating: 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE. Released: 25 Jul 2003. Runtime: 2h 1m.


Darna Mana Hai(2003)
Six Stories. One Ending.
Hindi · Horror
2h 1m · 25 Jul 2003
Music: Salim Merchant, Sulaiman Merchant | DOP: Vishal Sinha | Writer: Atul Sabharwal, Rajnish Thakur, Abbas Tyrewala
Ratings
Our Rating
2.5
📖 Story
Darna Mana Hai is an anthology horror thriller that revolves around six strangers who share their scary stories while stranded on a deserted road. Each story is a self-contained narrative exploring different facets of fear, suspense, and supernatural elements. The framing story ties these individual tales together, culminating in a twist that questions the reality of the entire experience.
Darna Mana Hai offers a fresh take on the horror anthology format in Hindi cinema, blending suspense with psychological thrills. The content is engaging, with each story exploring different themes of fear, ranging from supernatural to human paranoia. The screenplay is well-structured, maintaining a consistent tone throughout the film. The pacing is uneven at times; the first half effectively builds curiosity and tension, while the second half, especially the concluding segments, feel slightly rushed but manage to deliver a satisfying climax.
The songs are minimal and situational, fitting the mood without disrupting the narrative flow. The music by Salim-Sulaiman complements the eerie atmosphere, with the background score playing a crucial role in heightening suspense and emotional beats. Vishal Sinha’s cinematography captures the dark and moody settings effectively, enhancing the overall chilling experience.
Overall, the film stands out for its innovative storytelling and atmospheric presentation, though some segments could have benefited from tighter editing and deeper character development.
Sameera Reddy: Convincing and natural, effectively portraying vulnerability and fear.
Gaurav Kapur: Solid performance with good screen presence in his story segment.
Peeya Rai Chowdhary: Adequate, fitting the eerie tone of her character.
Kiku Sharda: Provides comic relief while maintaining the suspenseful mood.
Malavika: Delivers a restrained and believable portrayal.
Antara Mali: Strong and intense, adding depth to her story.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Innovative anthology format with multiple horror stories
- ✓Effective background score enhancing suspense
- ✓Strong atmospheric cinematography
- ✓Engaging and varied storytelling
Weaknesses
- ✕Uneven pacing, especially in the second half
- ✕Some stories lack depth and character development
- ✕Minimal use of songs may not appeal to all audiences
🎬 Direction & Writing
Prawaal Raman’s direction is commendable for experimenting with the horror anthology format in Bollywood. His writing maintains suspense and intrigue, though some segments could have been fleshed out more. The narrative framing is clever, culminating in a twist that ties the stories together effectively.
📰 Critic Reviews
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3 | |
| 3.5 | |
| 3.25 | |
| 3 | |
| 6.3 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 40% |
| Neutral | 35% |
| Negative | 25% |
Critics
Critics appreciated Darna Mana Hai for its novel approach to horror and suspense in Hindi cinema. The anthology format was praised for keeping the audience engaged with varied stories, though some noted inconsistency in story quality and pacing. The background score and cinematography were highlighted as key strengths that elevated the film’s eerie atmosphere.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Darna Mana Hai release in theatres?▾
Darna Mana Hai released on 25 July 2003 (2003).
Is Darna Mana Hai a hit or flop?▾
Darna Mana Hai is declared a BELOW AVERAGE at the box office.
What is the budget of Darna Mana Hai?▾
Budget of Darna Mana Hai is approximately ₹132348 Crore.
Where to watch Darna Mana Hai online? OTT release date?▾
Darna Mana Hai is available on Hulu. OTT date will be updated soon.
Who directed Darna Mana Hai?▾
Darna Mana Hai directed by Prawaal Raman. Produced by Ram Gopal Varma.
Who are the main cast members of Darna Mana Hai?▾
Darna Mana Hai stars Sameera Reddy, Gaurav Kapur, Peeya Rai Chowdhary, Kiku Sharda, Malavika.
What is the Tollybo rating for Darna Mana Hai?▾
Tollybo rates Darna Mana Hai 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE.
Who composed the music for Darna Mana Hai?▾
Music for Darna Mana Hai composed by Salim Merchant, Sulaiman Merchant.
What is the genre and runtime of Darna Mana Hai?▾
Darna Mana Hai — Genre: Horror, Runtime: 121 minutes, Language: Hindi.
