An atmosphere of unease
‘Khauf’ is a chilling series that derives its horror not from jump scares or grotesque visuals but from its eerie atmosphere and controlled pacing. Set in a secluded working women’s hostel on the fringes of Delhi, the show maintains a slow burn that keeps you intrigued for the most part. However, as it heads toward the finale, it abruptly shifts gears into a more mainstream Hindi drama zone, disrupting the tone. Promised character arcs fizzle out, and the resolution feels rushed and scattered. Still, for much of its run, ‘Khauf’ crafts a slow, creeping fear that builds through the space and silences rather than apparitions.
Madhu’s descent into darkness
The story follows Madhu (Monica Panwar), a small-town graduate from Gwalior, who moves to Delhi in search of employment. She’s supported by her boyfriend, Arun, and an old acquaintance, Bela Di. Alongside a day job, Madhu also begins assisting a psychiatrist, Dr. Shohini Verma (Shilpa Shukla), for extra income. Her life takes a turn after she shifts into a women’s hostel with a dark past. The room she’s given once belonged to Anu, who died in a road accident. Anu was close to a group of hostel residents—Rima, Komal, Svetlana, and Nikki—whose lives have since been shrouded in gloom. Running parallel is the story of a quack doctor (Rajat Kapoor) who runs a ‘Roohani Dawakhana’ in Old Delhi and is eventually summoned when strange occurrences plague the hostel. He warns Madhu to vacate immediately, sensing an evil presence, but what follows is a chain of disturbing events that deeply impact everyone close to her.
Strong set up, weak threads
What works best in ‘Khauf’ is its slow, deliberate world-building. The characters feel rooted in reality, and their interactions unfold without haste. The pacing ensures that tension builds gradually, and the early episodes deftly bring in key players without overwhelming the viewer. The presence of the ‘Roohani Dawakhana’ and its mysterious doctor adds an intriguing folkloric dimension. However, not all subplots find satisfying conclusions. The backstory of the doctor—played compellingly by Rajat Kapoor—feels underdeveloped despite being central to the narrative’s deeper mythos. Similarly, the sexual assault subplot involving Madhu feels tangential and isn’t woven meaningfully into the main storyline. Arun’s character, too, feels underwritten and oddly detached despite his proximity to the central plot.
A climax in chaos
The eighth and final episode unfortunately derails what had been a tightly woven narrative. In an attempt to deliver a high-stakes climax, the series spirals into chaotic territory with events that feel at odds with the grounded tone established earlier. A possessed character goes on a rampage, lives are lost, a baby is born, and the antagonist is decapitated—all in a single rain-soaked night. It will remind you equally of ‘The Exorcist’ and ‘Three Idiots.’ The urgency to wrap things up results in logic being compromised. The decision of a police officer to let a known suspect walk free, for instance, feels inexplicable. While such narrative leaps might work in cinema, in the longer format of a series—especially one rooted in realism—they come off as jarring.
Performances that anchor the fear
Still, the performances ground the series and elevate even its weaker moments. Monica Panwar as Madhu delivers a nuanced, emotionally layered performance that holds the viewer’s attention. She captures both vulnerability and determination with grace. Supporting actors like Priyanka Setia (Rima), Riya Shukla (Komal), Rashmi Zurail Mann (Nikki), and Chum Darang (Svetlana) bring authenticity to their roles as hostel residents, creating a believable sense of shared trauma. Shalini Vatsa as the warden adds weight to every scene she’s in, while Shilpa Shukla leaves an impression despite limited screen time. Rajat Kapoor’s portrayal of the eerie doctor is chilling, but the script doesn’t give him the space to fully develop. His presence lingers, but so does the feeling that something vital was left unsaid.
In the end, ‘Khauf’ is an atmospheric slow-burn horror series that almost pulls off something special. It constructs a strong premise, brings together a solid cast, and builds real tension through its mood and setting. But its finale stumbles, sacrificing coherence for shock value. Despite that, it remains an engaging watch, especially for those drawn to horror that relies more on mood than monsters.
Cast: Monica Panwar, Rajat Kapoor, Shalini Vatsa, Shilpa Shukla, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Priyanka Setia and Chum Darang
Director: Pankaj Kumar, Surya Balkrishnan
Rating: 3/5
(‘Khauf is currently streaming on Prime Video)
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