Indian movies on divine goddesses
The Vvaan: The film The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest is based on the folklore of Van Devi, the Goddess of the Forest. Starring Tamannaah Bhatia and Sidharth Mlahotra, the film explores the divine energy of goddess and celebrated Bihar’s culture.
Mookuthi Amman: It is a 2020 Tamil fantasy comedy starring Nayanthara as the titular goddess and RJ Balaji as Engels Ramasamy, a struggling TV news reporter. When Mookuthi Amman appears to Engels in human form, she teams up with him and his family to expose a fraudulent godman
Maa: Maa (2025), starring Kajol, is a mythological horror film that follows a mother who travels to her husband’s cursed ancestral village to rescue her daughter from a demonic entity. The film draws from Hindu mythology, with Kajol’s character Ambika eventually channeling the power of Goddess Kali to fight the evil threatening her family.
Kumari: It’s a 2022 Malayalam folk horror film starring Aishwarya Lekshmi in the titular role. Directed by Nirmal Sahadev, the film draws from Kerala’s folklore and mythology, weaving a story around a young woman who enters a mysterious world shaped by superstition, ancestral beliefs and supernatural forces. The film explores the darker side of goddess worship and folklore.
Tumbbad: Tumbbad is a 2018 Hindi folk horror film starring Sohum Shah in the lead role. Directed by Rahi Anil Barve, the film draws from Indian mythology and folklore, centring on the fictional goddess Hastar, the firstborn child of Goddess Earth.
Suzhal: The Vortex is a Tamil crime thriller series that uses local mythology and traditions as an important part of its story. Set against the backdrop of a village festival dedicated to Goddess Angalamman, the series explores how faith, folklore and long-held beliefs become intertwined with a mysterious crime investigation.
Inspector Rishi: The Tamil horror-crime series revolves around a string of mysterious murders in the forest-surrounded town of Thaenkaadu. The local villagers and indigenous tribes believe the deaths are linked to Vanaratchi, a mythical forest goddess and protector associated with local folklore.
Mahakali: It’s an upcoming mythological fantasy epic from the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe. Directed by Puja Aparna Kolluru, the film stars Bhoomi Shetty as Maha, or Mahakali, and Akshaye Khanna as Shukracharya, the powerful guru of the Asuras. The story draws from Hindu mythology and follows the awakening of Mahakali as she rises against forces of evil.
Bulbbul: This one is a 2020 Hindi period horror film starring Triptii Dimri in the titular role. Directed by Anvita Dutt, the film draws from Bengali folklore and portrays Bulbbul as a supernatural figure who takes on an almost goddess-like form of justice. While she is not based on a specific Hindu goddess, the film uses imagery associated with Goddess Kali.
Bhaagamathie is a 2018 Telugu horror thriller starring Anushka Shetty in the lead role. The film draws on the folklore surrounding the titular queen, who is believed to have fought against a corrupt and tyrannical general before taking her own life.