Deyyam

Story:

Deyyam  is a Telugu-language horror film released on 21 June 1996. Written, directed, and produced by Ram Gopal Varma, the film features J. D. Chakravarthy, Maheswari, Jayasudha, and Ajinkya Deo in key roles. The storyline draws inspiration from the Hollywood movie Poltergeist.

Plot

Late one night, a man returning home passes a graveyard and mistakenly follows a ghost, believing it to be a woman. The ghost lures him in and ultimately kills him.

The story then shifts to a cheerful couple, Murali and Sindhu, who live with their young son Chinni and Sindhu’s sister, Mahi. They purchase a new farmhouse, unaware that it sits near the same graveyard seen earlier. Mahi is romantically involved with her boyfriend Narsing, and they frequently meet near the area. Soon after moving in, Chinni begins interacting with what he claims are imaginary friends—who are eventually revealed to be ghosts.

Paranormal incidents start escalating, confirming the presence of spirits in the house. Tragedy strikes when Chinni mysteriously dies, seemingly taken by the ghosts. Sindhu, emotionally devastated, begins seeing Chinni’s ghost and becomes obsessed with finding him, believing he is still alive.

One night, while waiting for Mahi by the graveyard, Narsing encounters the same ghost from the film’s opening, mistaking it for Mahi. He narrowly escapes and later learns from friends that the farmhouse was built on a former burial ground, and that numerous strange tales surround the location. Realizing the grave danger, Narsing urges Mahi to leave the house immediately. However, being a skeptic, Mahi ignores his warnings.

The hauntings grow deadlier, and one by one, Mahi’s family members fall victim to the ghosts. In the final act, it is revealed that the entire area is overrun by the undead. As the ghosts rise from their graves, Mahi and Narsing are the only ones left alive. They flee to Narsing’s home, but are horrified to find the ghosts—including Mahi’s family—waiting for them there.

The movie ends on a chilling and ambiguous note, leaving the fate of Mahi and Narsing unknown, as they are surrounded by the spirits.