Aval / Gruham (2017) – The House Next Door That Should Have Stayed Locked |🩸 ASRS Entertainment 🕯️ | 09 August 2025

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Aval (Gruham): The House Next Door That Should Have Stayed Locked

Introduction
When it comes to Indian horror, few films hit the perfect blend of story, scares, and realism. Aval (Tamil), Gruham (Telugu), and The House Next Door (Hindi) is that rare horror gem that transcends language. Directed by Milind Rau and starring Siddharth, this 2017 film draws from real-life case files and Buddhist exorcism rituals to deliver one of the most spine-chilling horror stories in Indian cinema.

Forget ghosts in white sarees—this is psychological, supernatural horror at its peak. And yes, it will genuinely haunt your dreams.

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Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
Dr. Krishnakanth (Siddharth), a neurosurgeon, lives a peaceful life in the misty hills of Coonoor with his wife Lakshmi. But peace doesn’t last long—new neighbors move into the house next door, and strange things begin to happen.

Their teenage daughter Jenny starts behaving erratically, claiming to see things others don’t. At first, it seems like a medical issue. But when science fails, Dr. Krish and Lakshmi are dragged into a dark history involving death, possession, and an unholy spirit with unfinished business.

The final act is a crescendo of rituals, screams, betrayals, and horrifying truths. And trust us—this ghost isn’t here to play.

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Why Aval Works So Well
✅ Atmospheric Cinematography – The use of cold lighting, fog, narrow hallways, and handheld shots makes every frame suspenseful.
✅ Psychological Fear – It plays on real fears: children acting strange, medical vs. paranormal confusion, and familial helplessness.
✅ Inspired by Real Incidents – The director admitted that the core haunting is loosely based on real case files and a Buddhist tantric tradition of exorcism rarely shown in cinema.
✅ Multi-layered Characters – Each person has a backstory, trauma, or secret. It’s not just about the ghost—it’s about why the ghost is here.

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Scariest Moments (No Spoilers)

• The bathtub scene 🛁 (classic horror reimagined)

• The Buddhist exorcism ritual with drums and chants

• Sudden flashes of a “smiling ghost” in places you'd never expect

• A deeply disturbing diary reveal midway

This isn't just scream-and-run horror—this is the kind of film that creeps into your skin.

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Cast & Performances

• Siddharth gives a mature, grounded performance. His role adds emotional weight and intelligence to the narrative.

• Andrea Jeremiah and Anisha Angelina Victor shine, especially the latter as the haunted teenager.

• The supporting cast (priests, neighbors, flashback characters) are all believable, which enhances the fear factor.

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Direction, Sound, and Effects
Milind Rau’s direction is tight, cinematic, and avoids the clichés. He allows the horror to breathe—moments of silence before a scare.
Sound design is world-class. The drums during the exorcism? Goosebumps. The background hums and whispers? Absolutely chilling.

Visual effects are minimal but powerful. The film uses lighting and facial distortion, rather than cheap jump effects.

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Why You Shouldn’t Miss It

• If you liked The Conjuring, this is India’s answer with cultural roots.

• You want elevated horror with real emotional stakes

• You enjoy ghost stories with logic, science, and rituals

• You’re tired of slapstick horror and need something serious and stylish

"Aval teaches us that some houses remember. And some spirits don’t want to leave."

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Read Also
👉 [Tumbbad: Horror Rooted in Indian Greed & Folklore]
👉 [13B: The TV Serial That Predicted Death]
👉 [Pari: Bollywood’s Bleeding Dark Angel]
👉 [Virupaksha: Forest Rituals and Spine-Chilling Secrets]

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