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Woh
Genre
Based onIt by Stephen King
Directed by
  • Glen Baretto
  • Ankush Mohla
StarringSee below
Opening themeRaju Singh
Ending themeUttank Vora
Country of originIndia
Original languageHindi
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes52
Production
Producers
  • Noshir Desai
  • Bharat Sunder
CinematographyDeepak Malwankar
EditorSteven Bernard
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time25 minutes
Production companyUnited Studios Ltd
Budget$2.3 million
Original release
NetworkZee TV
Release4 January (1998-01-04) –
27 December 1998 (1998-12-27)
Related
It

Woh (lit. 'that [one]') is a 52-episode Indian horror thriller television series which aired on Zee TV in 1998. The series starred Indian film director Ashutosh Gowarikar, and dwarf actor Lilliput in the title role. It is a Hindi-language TV show adaptation of Stephen King's epic horror novel It.

Plot

[edit]

Seven teenagers Ashutosh, Raja, Julie, Shiva, Ronnie, Sanjeev and Rahul battle an evil force that takes the form of a clown called Woh who kidnaps children, and free the town of Panchgani of his evil influence. They promise to return, if Woh ever returns. Fifteen years after they part ways, Ashutosh starts seeing balloons, at places where children are being kidnapped. He immediately recognises that Woh has returned and calls his friends to return.

All the friends return except Sanjeev who gets killed by Woh. The day they realise this, the police take the friends into custody, and they narrate how they battled Woh with the help of Samidha fifteen years ago. The police believe them and release them. They go and meet Samidha and she joins their group. They battle Woh with difficulty. That same day Ashutosh learns his wife is pregnant and Raja proposes to Samidha. All the friends return to their normal lives.

Bad omens occur during the birth of Ashutosh's child Siddharth. His doctor and Ashutosh's wife's aunt are mysteriously killed. Ashutosh's friends arrive for Siddharth's seventh birthday, and realise Woh has returned as Siddharth. They go to the same caves and discover from Woh's mother that he was her son, who was bullied by society because of his dwarfism. He killed himself and became a vengeful ghost. The friends convince him to leave Siddharth's body and help him attain salvation. Siddharth is saved and the story ends on a happy note.

Cast

[edit]

Development

[edit]

Woh was created by Ankush Mohla and Glen Barreto, neither of whom had read the original novel.[1] The show is loosely based on the American miniseries It, with major plot points matching. However, Woh took creative liberties and added many elements that were not in the original novel or the miniseries, such as Woh's backstory.[2] As Indian audiences were unfamiliar with the source material, the show did not gain much popularity and only ran for one season.[3] The show had a low budget and did not make use of special effects.[4]

See also

[edit]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Woh

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Woh is a 52-episode Indian horror thriller television series that aired on Zee TV from January to December 1998, serving as a loose adaptation of Stephen King's 1986 novel It and primarily inspired by its 1990 miniseries.[1][2] The series, created and produced by showrunners Ankush Mohla and Glen Barretto, follows a group of seven childhood friends in the town of Panchgani who first confront and defeat a malevolent clown-like entity named Woh as teenagers, only to reunite as adults when the spirit returns to terrorize the community by kidnapping children.[1] Unlike the cosmic, otherworldly Pennywise of King's original work, Woh is depicted as a tragic human figure—a bullied dwarf named Vikram who transforms into a vengeful ghost—allowing for a resolution rooted in compassion rather than outright destruction.[2][1] The ensemble cast features notable performances, including Lilliput as the titular antagonist Woh/Vikram, Ashutosh Gowariker (in one of his early acting roles before transitioning to directing acclaimed films like Lagaan) as Ashutosh, Nasir Khan as Raja, Mamik Singh as Rahul, Seema Shetty as Julie, Ankush Mohla as Shiva, Anupam Bhattacharya as Sanjeev, and Amit Mistry as Ronnie.[1] Directed by Glen Barretto, the show blends elements of Bollywood drama and soap opera storytelling with low-budget horror effects, incorporating local cultural nuances such as communal viewing experiences and a campy, atmospheric tone enhanced by its eerie theme music.[2] Aired during prime time on Hindi-language television, Woh became a cultural phenomenon among 1990s Indian youth, evoking widespread childhood fears and nostalgia for its innovative take on Western horror tropes adapted to an Indian context.[2]

Synopsis and background

Premise

Woh is an Indian horror series centered on a group of seven teenagers in 1980s Panchgani who unite to confront a malevolent clown entity known as Woh, which terrorizes the town by preying on and kidnapping children.[3] Set against the backdrop of a serene hill station in Maharashtra, India, the narrative blends the innocence of small-town life with escalating supernatural dread as the young protagonists draw on their bonds of friendship to challenge the otherworldly threat.[1] Fifteen years later, the now-adult survivors reunite when Woh reemerges, this time targeting the child of one of the group—specifically, Ashutosh's son Siddharth—reviving long-buried childhood traumas and forcing them to confront the entity's persistent malice.[3] The story explores the enduring impact of juvenile fears that persist into maturity, emphasizing how unbreakable friendships serve as a bulwark against supernatural evil, while underscoring Woh's vengeful essence rooted in unresolved past grievances like bullying.[4] Thematically, Woh delves into the psychological toll of confronting one's inner demons, portraying Panchgani as a dual symbol of nostalgic refuge and lurking horror, where the entity's predatory cycle tests the limits of loyalty and resilience among the characters.[1] Loosely inspired by Stephen King's It, the series adapts these elements to an Indian context without direct replication.[4]

Inspiration from It

The Indian television series Woh (1998) draws its primary inspiration from the 1990 American miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's 1986 novel It, rather than the book itself, as confirmed by its creators Ankush Mohla and Glen Barretto, who admitted to not having read the original novel.[5] This reliance on the miniseries shaped the core structure, including the overarching narrative of a malevolent entity targeting children in a small town every few decades, prompting a group of childhood friends to reunite as adults to confront it.[6] However, the series takes significant creative liberties to localize the story for an Indian audience, transposing the setting from the isolated American town of Derry, Maine, to the hill station of Panchgani in Maharashtra, India, and infusing elements of local folklore and social dynamics.[4] Central to these adaptations is the reimagining of the antagonist: the cosmic, shape-shifting Pennywise is replaced by Woh, a clown-like figure portrayed by dwarf actor M.M. "Lilliput" Faruqui, whose name translates to "that one" in Hindi, evoking a sense of vague, ominous otherness.[7] The entity's cycle of terror is shortened from 27 years to 15, and iconic scenes like the paper boat in the sewers are relocated to a more accessible swimming pool, while incorporating Indian cultural motifs such as bullying rooted in physical differences like dwarfism, reflecting societal prejudices prevalent in the context.[5] These changes not only make the horror more relatable but also shift the focus from supernatural isolation to communal bonds among a diverse group of Indian friends, emphasizing themes of friendship and redemption over pure terror.[6] A key original addition is Woh's backstory as a vengeful human spirit named Vikram, a bullied individual who suffered personal trauma due to his stature and unrequited love, leading to his suicide and transformation into a ghost seeking revenge, diverging sharply from the novel's portrayal of an ancient, otherworldly evil.[4] This humanizes the antagonist, allowing for a resolution centered on empathy and spiritual salvation rather than ritualistic confrontation, and highlights social issues like discrimination.[7] The development intent behind these elements was to introduce Western horror tropes to Indian viewers via the familiar long-form serial format on Zee TV, bridging cultural gaps by blending imported scares with indigenous storytelling to create accessible, engaging content during the network's early expansion in the late 1990s.[5]

Production

Development

The development of Woh began in late 1997 under the creative direction of Ankush Mohla and Glen Barretto, who served as co-writers, directors, and showrunners for the series. Drawing inspiration from the 1990 American miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's It, the duo conceptualized the project without consulting the original novel; Mohla reportedly only skimmed a brief synopsis on the book's cover, leading to a loose and simplified interpretation of the source material focused on core elements like a shape-shifting antagonist terrorizing children in a small town. To localize the horror for Indian audiences, the team introduced original narrative twists, such as the villain Woh's backstory as a short-statured man tormented by bullying who commits suicide and returns as a vengeful spirit, emphasizing themes of social ostracism and redemption over cosmic otherworldliness.[1] Key pre-production decisions centered on adapting the story to the constraints of Indian television broadcasting. The 52-episode format was selected to align with Zee TV's weekly airing schedule, allowing the narrative to unfold gradually across an entire year and stretch the childhood and adult timelines into extended dramatic arcs typical of Hindi serials. To comply with content regulations and family viewing norms, the scripting prioritized psychological suspense and emotional trauma—such as lingering guilt and hauntings—over graphic violence or gore, humanizing the antagonist through a tragic lens that culminated in an exorcism-like resolution rather than a monstrous confrontation.[2] Scripting was completed by early 1998 to meet the January 4 premiere date, with the process involving significant expansions to fill the episodic structure, including added interpersonal conflicts among the protagonists and supernatural manifestations tied to Indian cultural motifs. Early challenges included the creators' limited depth of engagement with the source, which resulted in a streamlined plot that omitted complex subplots from the miniseries, and budget allocations that favored character-driven storytelling and practical makeup over elaborate visual effects, reflecting the modest resources available for Zee TV productions at the time.[8][9]

Filming and technical aspects

The production of Woh was directed by Glen Baretto and Ankush Mohla, who helmed all 52 episodes of the series.[10][11] Cinematography was handled by Deepak Malwankar, whose work contributed to the series' atmospheric visuals through strategic lighting and framing to heighten tension in the horror sequences.[10][12] The theme music was composed by Raju Singh, emphasizing dissonant and suspenseful tones to underscore the eerie narrative without relying on advanced digital tools typical of later productions.[10] Given its modest budget, Woh adopted a low-cost approach that eschewed special effects in favor of practical techniques to build horror elements.[1][2] The titular antagonist, appearing as a clown, was realized through simple costume design, makeup, and sound design, including amplified echoes and creaks to evoke dread in everyday settings.[1] Lighting played a key role, with shadows and low-key illumination used to suggest supernatural presences rather than visual effects.[13] Filming took place primarily in Panchgani, a hill station in Maharashtra, to capture the essence of a small-town Indian locale, supplemented by studio work in Mumbai for interior scenes.[1][6] The 25-minute episodes were shot throughout 1998, aligning with the series' broadcast schedule on Zee TV.[13] Producer Bharat Sunder oversaw the logistical aspects, ensuring the production stayed within constraints while maintaining a consistent pace for the weekly airing.[14]

Cast

Lead actors

Ashutosh Gowariker portrayed the adult Ashutosh Dhar, the central leader of a group of childhood friends who reunite as adults to confront a malevolent entity terrorizing their hometown, with his character's family becoming a primary target in the narrative's climax.[10] Shreyas Talpade played the younger version of Ashutosh, depicting the character's formative experiences as part of the teenage ensemble battling the same supernatural threat in flashbacks that establish the group's bond and initial encounters.[15] Nasir Khan portrayed Raja, the brave but impulsive member of the core group of seven friends who aids in confrontations against the entity across both childhood and adult timelines.[10] Ankur Javeri played the younger version of Raja in flashback scenes depicting the childhood encounters.[10] Seema Shetty portrayed Julie, a key female member of the friend group whose relationships and experiences contribute to the ensemble dynamics in both timelines.[10] Ankush Mohla portrayed Shiva, another steadfast friend in the group, involved in the battles against the entity during their youth and reunion.[10] Amit Mistry portrayed Ronnie, the resourceful friend whose role supports the group's efforts in uncovering and confronting the threat.[10] Lilliput, whose full name is M. M. Faruqui, embodied the dual role of Vikram and Woh, the series' titular antagonist—a once-human figure transformed into a clown-like supernatural being who preys on children—relying on expressive physicality to convey the entity's eerie shift between vulnerable humanity and horrifying menace.[10][1] Anupam Bhattacharya depicted Sanjeev, a steadfast member of the friend group whose portrayal infused the story with moments of comic relief while underscoring unwavering loyalty across the dual timelines of childhood and adulthood confrontations.[10] Mamik Singh took on the role of Rahul Sahni, the analytical and intellectual friend whose investigative drive propelled key plot developments, particularly in unraveling the entity's origins and strategies during both the youthful and reunion phases of the narrative.[10]

Supporting roles

Dayashankar Pandey appeared as Chandu, a character who provides comic relief and helps maintain group dynamics, particularly in the childhood sequences where the friends first unite.[11] Manoj Joshi took on the role of Amit, serving as an adult ally during the characters' reunion, where he offers logistical support to the group's efforts in the present-day timeline.[11] Asif Basra played Omkanth Dixit, one of the victims whose disappearance heightens the stakes in the modern storyline, while Parzaan Dastur portrayed Siddharth, another key figure emphasizing the ongoing threat to the community.[11] The ensemble included various child actors in brief roles as kidnapped victims, contributing to the buildup of horror elements through their portrayals of innocence under peril.[10]

Broadcast

Airing schedule

Woh premiered on Zee TV on January 4, 1998, and concluded its run on December 27, 1998, airing all 52 episodes over the course of the year.[2][1] The series followed a weekly broadcast format, with episodes airing during prime time slots typical for family viewing in the late 1990s Indian television era; each installment ran for approximately 25 minutes, inclusive of commercial breaks. This structure allowed the narrative to unfold gradually across the full season, tying directly to the production of 52 self-contained yet interconnected episodes. As part of Zee TV's pioneering efforts in horror programming during the late 1990s, Woh built on the success of earlier anthology series like The Zee Horror Show (1993–1997), which had established the network as a key player in delivering supernatural thrillers to Indian audiences amid a growing appetite for genre fiction on television.[16][17] In the 2020s, full episodes of Woh became widely accessible online through uploads to Zee TV's official YouTube channel, revitalizing interest in the series for new generations of viewers.[1][18]

Episode structure

The episode structure of Woh employs a dual-timeline format that divides its 52 episodes into phases mirroring the narrative progression of its inspirational source material while adapting it to a serialized television format. The story begins with the protagonists' childhood confrontation with the entity in their hometown of Panchgani, followed by a 15-year time jump to their adult reunion when the threat resurfaces. An additional 7-year jump occurs later, escalating the conflict as one character deals with the entity's influence on his child. This progression leads to the climax and resolution in the later episodes.[2][19] Each episode maintains a consistent runtime of 25 minutes. The episodes alternate between horror elements—such as sudden, eerie manifestations—and quieter character-driven moments that deepen emotional stakes and relationships, creating a rhythmic ebb and flow that sustains engagement across the series.[19] As a serial production, Woh features interconnected arcs rather than self-contained stories, enabling a gradual buildup of lore surrounding the titular entity. Recurring motifs, including Woh's enigmatic appearances that evolve from subtle hints to more overt presences, reinforce thematic continuity and foreshadow larger developments without resolving them episodically. This approach fosters a cohesive narrative arc over the full run, emphasizing long-term suspense over isolated incidents.[19]

Reception and legacy

Critical and audience response

Upon its 1998 premiere on Zee TV, Woh received mixed reviews for its campy take on horror, often highlighted by its low-budget production and limited special effects that failed to deliver intense scares. Critics noted the series' heavy reliance on the 1990 American miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's It, resulting in a lack of originality and mundane portrayals that diluted the terror.[4] However, the show was praised for its psychological depth, particularly in exploring the antagonist's tragic backstory as a bullied individual who turns vengeful, adding emotional nuance absent in the source material.[20] Audience response was similarly divided, with the series earning an average IMDb rating of 6.5/10 based on 1,087 user votes (as of November 2025), reflecting appreciation for its Indianized sensibilities and avoidance of graphic gore while critiquing its uneven pacing in later episodes.[13] It gained popularity among 1990s Indian youth as one of the first serialized horror shows on television, introducing a generation to supernatural thriller elements tailored to local tastes.[2] In retrospective analyses from the 2020s, outlets like Screen Rant and Collider have described Woh as a "weird" yet unforgettable cultural adaptation, commending its bold deviations from King's novel, such as reimagining the clown as a sympathetic ghost with localized themes of rejection and redemption.[20][1] The series has developed a cult following within Stephen King enthusiast communities for these innovative changes and its campy, nostalgic charm, despite criticisms of insufficient visual effects that hampered the horror impact.[2] Strengths in ensemble acting, including standout performances by Lilliput as Woh and Ashutosh Gowariker as Ashutosh, continue to be highlighted as redeeming qualities that grounded the otherwise eccentric narrative.[13][4]

Cultural impact

Woh played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian television horror genre during the 1990s, emerging as one of the earliest serialized thrillers to draw heavily from Western narratives while incorporating local sensibilities. As a 52-episode production, it contributed to the shift toward extended supernatural storytelling on Indian TV, moving beyond standalone episodes seen in predecessors like Zee Horror Show. This format influenced subsequent series by emphasizing ongoing character arcs and escalating threats, helping establish horror as a viable genre for family-oriented prime-time viewing.[21][4] The series' exploration of emotional bullying and childhood trauma, rooted in the antagonist's backstory as a tormented dwarf, added depth to Indian horror by highlighting human cruelty over purely supernatural elements. This thematic focus resonated in a cultural context where such issues were rarely foregrounded in media, paving the way for more psychologically layered narratives in later shows. By humanizing the villain through themes of revenge and redemption, Woh diverged from typical horror tropes, influencing perceptions of trauma in Indian pop culture.[2] As an unauthorized adaptation of Stephen King's It, Woh has been retrospectively highlighted in recent media analyses as a quirky example of localizing global horror without formal IP rights, sparking discussions on creative adaptation in resource-constrained Indian television. Outlets have noted its campy, melodramatic style as a unique cultural artifact, blending Bollywood-esque drama with horror to create an earnest yet bizarre take on the source material. This legacy underscores the challenges and innovations in adapting Western stories for Indian audiences during the post-liberalization TV boom.[2][1] In the modern era, Woh has experienced a revival through its full availability on YouTube, leading to viral clips and renewed interest among nostalgia-driven viewers in India. The series is frequently referenced in discussions of classic '90s horror, with its availability facilitating rediscovery by international Stephen King enthusiasts curious about global interpretations. Additionally, the show marked a transitional role for actor Ashutosh Gowariker, who leveraged his performance as the lead to pivot toward acclaimed directorial ventures like Lagaan (2001), indirectly linking Woh to broader evolutions in Indian cinema.[2][1][4]
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