Halloween is my favourite time of the year. I throw on a blonde wig, and as little clothing as possible. It's the only time I'm happy that Mumbai is 30 degrees even in October. Halloween in India has started to haunt our social calendar, but let’s be honest — witches, zombies, and superheroes? It’s all a little...whitewashed. I've been on a mission to switch it up.
We have a treasure chest of homegrown pop culture just waiting to be unleashed. Why not use this spooky season to pay tribute to the memes, music videos, and masala of our very own legends?
Ready to show off your homegrown Halloween costume? Join us at Mumbai’s biggest Halloween party! It’s happening on Friday, October 25 at Great Eastern Mills, Byculla.
The OG queen of dramatic exits, tantrums, and broomsticks.
How to Dress: Black maxi dress, straight hair with bangs, and of course, a broom as your signature accessory. Don't forget to channel her iconic rage — every time someone someone cuts you in line for the bar, respond in character!
Nothing scarier than a politician in action, amirite?
How to Dress: Khadi kurta paired with a tricolor Nehru jacket for added authenticity. Bonus if you can arrange for an entourage of chamchas to follow you around. Drape yourself in garlands of fake currency for added impact. Throw in random promises as you go, like “Bachon ka bhavishya sudharne ke liye yeh drink free hai!”
If there’s one name that rhymes with 'fear', it's Dhinchak Pooja.
How to Dress: Get as flashy as possible: sequin tops, mismatched neon pants, oversized sunglasses, and a cap worn backward, because swag zindagi hai. Carry a mini speaker blasting “Selfie Maine Le Li Aaj” and be prepared to clear the dance floor — literally, as people might start leaving.
The nasal king himself.
How to Dress: Fedora, leather jacket, and a perpetually pained expression as if you’ve just lost your true love…again. Walk around singing in a heavily nasal voice and watch people start requesting Aashiq Banaya Aapne just to keep you quiet.
He’s always extra, and so should you be.
How to Dress: Shiny kurta with two buttons open for ventilation, a whiskey glass glued to your hand, and a stack of 10 rupee notes to toss at unsuspecting dancers. Don't forget your signature move: stumbling while trying to start an impromptu speech about the good ol' days.
A costume that’s squeaky clean yet iconic.
How to Dress: White frilly frock, a twirly skirt, and a permanent wide-eyed smile that says, “Cleaning detergent and chaos!” Carry a cardboard cutout of the classic Nirma packet—guaranteed to make people shout the jingle from across the room.
All namaste, all the time.
How to Dress: Athleisure with enough mala beads to open your own Fabindia. Accessorize with a bottle of kombucha in one hand and your latest Goop purchase in the other. Preach 'mindfulness' to anyone within earshot, but lose your temper over the bar's lack of organic vodka.
She’s every Indian’s biggest critic — and she’s got a lot to say.
How to Dress: Floral nightie, hair rollers, and a judgmental squint that can pierce through any costume. Carry a bag of nimki to hand out, but only after lecturing people on their marriage plans and poor career choices. Bonus points if you keep shaking your head and muttering, “Yeh sab naach-gaana kab khatam hoga?”
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