Last updated: 8 May 2026
Hindi · Horror
1h 48m · 28 Apr 2006
Music: Sulaiman Merchant, Nitin Raikwar, Amar Mohile, Salim Merchant | DOP: Amal Neerad, Ayhan Ghanim, Kiran Reddy, Amit Roy, Attar Singh Saini | Writer: Ashish Deo, Manish Gupta, Sajid Khan
Ratings
Our Rating
2.25
Darna Zaroori Hai is an anthology horror film comprising six short stories, each exploring different facets of fear and supernatural elements. The narrative is framed by a group of travelers stranded in a forest, who share their own terrifying experiences. The stories range from ghostly encounters to psychological horror, blending suspense with moral lessons. The film attempts to evoke fear through varied storytelling techniques, combining traditional horror tropes with contemporary settings.
Darna Zaroori Hai offers a mixed bag of horror tales, each segment varying in impact and execution. The screenplay is uneven, with some stories delivering effective scares and others feeling rushed or underdeveloped. The pacing fluctuates, with the first half establishing an intriguing premise but occasionally dragging, while the second half picks up with more engaging narratives. The anthology format allows for diverse storytelling but also results in a lack of cohesion.
The music and background score contribute adequately to the eerie atmosphere, though none of the songs stand out as memorable. The BGM is used strategically to heighten tension but at times feels generic. Cinematography across segments varies due to multiple directors, with some sequences visually compelling and others less so. Overall, the film is an ambitious attempt at horror anthologies in Hindi cinema but falls short of consistently delivering thrills.
Manoj Pahwa: Provides solid support with a natural portrayal, adding authenticity to his segments.
Sarita Joshi: Delivers a convincing performance with emotional depth in her story.
Amitabh Bachchan: Appears in the framing narrative with his characteristic gravitas, lending credibility.
Riteish Deshmukh: Offers a decent performance, though limited by the script's constraints.
Arjun Rampal: Charismatic presence but somewhat underutilized in his segment.
Bipasha Basu: Brings charm and intensity, elevating the horror elements in her story.
Strengths
Weaknesses
The direction is fragmented due to multiple directors handling different segments, resulting in uneven tone and quality. While some directors manage to build tension effectively, others fail to maintain narrative coherence. Ram Gopal Varma’s involvement adds a certain edge, but overall, the writing lacks depth and consistency.
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 2.75 / 5 | |
| 2.50 / 5 |
Our Rating
No collection data available yet.
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 30% |
| Neutral | 40% |
| Negative | 30% |
Critics generally appreciated the novelty of the anthology format and the attempt to bring horror to mainstream Hindi cinema. However, many pointed out the uneven quality of the stories and inconsistent scares. Performances were praised, especially Amitabh Bachchan’s framing role and Bipasha Basu’s segment. The film was noted for its atmospheric background score but criticized for weak screenplay and pacing issues.
Final Box-Office Result
Darna Zaroori Hai released on 28 April 2006 (2006).
Darna Zaroori Hai is declared a FLOP at the box office.
Darna Zaroori Hai OTT release date not announced yet.
Darna Zaroori Hai directed by Manish Gupta, Jijy Philip, Sajid Khan, J. D. Chakravarthi, Vivek Shah, Ram Gopal Varma, Prawaal Raman. Produced by Ram Gopal Varma.
Darna Zaroori Hai stars Manoj Pahwa, Sarita Joshi, Amitabh Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Arjun Rampal.
Tollybo rates Darna Zaroori Hai 2.25/5. Verdict: FLOP.
Music for Darna Zaroori Hai composed by Sulaiman Merchant, Nitin Raikwar, Amar Mohile, Salim Merchant.
Darna Zaroori Hai — Genre: Horror, Runtime: 108 minutes, Language: Hindi.
