Deyyam(1996)
Deyyam (English: Ghost) is a 1996 Telugu horror film written, produced, and directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The cast includes J.D. Chakravarthy, Maheswari, Jayasudha, and Ajinkya Deo. The story follows a family that moves into a farmhouse built on a graveyard, where ghosts begin killing them one by one. The film is loosely based on the 1982 Hollywood film Poltergeist. It received positive reviews for its horror elements and atmosphere, though it did not perform well at the box office. Over time, Deyyam gained a cult following and is considered a landmark Telugu horror film. It was released on June 21, 1996.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Prime Video
- Theatrical Release
- 1 January 1996
- Director
- Ram Gopal Varma
- Language
- Telugu
- Runtime
- 2h 10m
- Rating
- 4.7/10
Storyline
A happy family moves into a new farmhouse, unaware it was built on a graveyard. Their young son starts talking to invisible friends who are actually ghosts. As the spirits grow stronger, they begin killing the family members one by one. Only the sister and her boyfriend realize the truth, but it may be too late to escape.
“Your dream home is their graveyard.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Deyyam
Cast reunions in this film: J. D. Chakravarthy & Ram Gopal Varma (8 films together), Jayasudha & Ram Gopal Varma (4 films together), and J. D. Chakravarthy & Jayasudha (2 films together).
Trivia
- The film was originally planned as a low-budget experimental project by Ram Gopal Varma before its scale increased.
- The ghost characters' visual effects were considered advanced for Telugu cinema in the mid-1990s.
- The movie's title 'Deyyam' translates to 'Ghost' or 'Demon' in Telugu, directly signaling its horror theme.
- It was one of the early Telugu horror films to use a haunted house setting within a modern urban context.
- The child actor's performance was noted for carrying much of the film's eerie atmosphere.
- The film's sound design and background score were emphasized to build tension with minimal gore.
- Despite being a horror film, it incorporated family drama elements, which was uncommon for the genre at the time.