Telugu cinema (Tollywood) has a long-standing tradition of horror films, with the "ghost" (pretha, bhutham, aavu) sub-genre being particularly prominent. Unlike Western horror, Telugu ghost movies often blend supernatural elements with family drama, revenge, romance, and even comedy. They are deeply rooted in local folklore, beliefs about ancestral spirits, and karma.

The popularity of Telugu ghost movies shows no signs of waning, with new films being released regularly. The success of recent films like (2018) and Maha Lakshmi (2020) has encouraged filmmakers to experiment with the horror genre, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and visual effects.