7 Bollywood films where rains acted as an antagonist!

While Bollywood has often romanticized rain, there have also been instances where it has been used as an antagonist force to signify hostility and negativity. 

Monsoon is finally upon us and so is the season of romanticizing our lives, pretending like we are the main character of a rom-com movie, madly in love with someone, or going through a heartwrenching break-up. Well, I blame Bollywood for my delusions as its heartwarming romances have often used rain as a symbol of love, longing, and rejuvenation. However, beyond romanticizing showers with merry monsoon melodies and affectionate scenes, rain has also been used as a darker, more unpleasant instrument or a force that acts as a formidable antagonist presenting challenges, escalating tension, or signifying emotional dread. Bollywood filmmakers showcased how monsoons, coupled with their brilliant cinematography, art, and sound design, can act as a central villain who shape the plot, challenge the characters, and amplify the narrative's intensity. 

Also Read: June 2025 streaming guide: Here's what's releasing on Zee5, Apple TV+ and more this monsoon!

These films are proof!

Kaun? - Youtube 

This psychological horror saw Madam (Urmila Matondkar) trapped inside her house due to the heavy downpour as a potential killer Sameer (Manoj Bajpayee) lurks outside. The gloomy and rough weather is used as an instrument to amplify her isolation and the spooky value of the film as the heavy showers prevent her from escape and communication, adding to the psychological suspense.

Tumbbad- Prime Video 

Sohum Shah’s iconic Tumbbad used monsoon as an atmosphere to signify the doom, greed, and dark forces that had decayed the village owing to a curse. The perpetual gloomy and muddy monsoon served as a perfect antagonist that acted as the ambassador of the mystic oppressive forces and the characters' ultimate fate. 

Raavan- Prime Video and Hotstar 

Mani Ratnam’s Raavan, which used the crux of Ramayan with a modernized plot, made use of the incessant and heavy rains in the dense jungles of Kerala to make the environment hostile for the protagonist SP Dev Pratap Sharma (Vikram) to find his wife Ragini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) who has been kidnapped by a bandit Beera (Abhishek Bachchan). The heavy showers not only prove to be an obstacle in chases but also complicate and add to the raw, challenging environment of the terrain which also reflects the other characters’ internal conflicts.

Mumbai Meri Jaan- Prime Video

While Mumbai Meri Jaan is a moving portrayal of the 2006 train bombings in the city and the interconnected stories of several strangers, subsequent days leading to the terror attack were often depicted under a gloomy, rainy sky suggesting the melancholic mood, the feeling of loss, and people’s struggle to come to terms with the horrific event, making the heavy downpour an emotional antagonist symbolizing the city's pain and difficulties.

Kedarnath - Zee5

This Abhishek Kapoor romantic tragedy starring Sushant Singh Rajput and Sara Ali Khan was set against the devastating real-life Uttarakhand floods of 2013. The torrential rains and subsequent floods served as the primary destructive force in the movie, claiming hundreds of lives and posing a terrifying challenge to the fate of the protagonists.  

Tum Mile- Prime Video

This Kunal Deshmukh romantic drama starring Emraan Hashmi and Soha Ali Khan was set against the backdrop of the 2005 Mumbai floods. The film depicted the chaos, destruction, and loss caused by the rough weather, forcing the protagonists to confront their past and present during a natural disaster.

Raaz - YouTube

Vikram Bhatt’s Raaz used rain to create a terrifying atmosphere that complemented the supernatural and psychological horror aspects of the film. The story featured Sanjana (Bipasha Basu) and Aditya (Dino Morea) characters, as a couple trying to save their failing marriage by retreating to their house in Ooty. The frequent rainy scenes, combined with the misty and cold environment of Ooty, aggravated the sense of isolation and unease, making the couple’s surroundings feel oppressive, hostile, and thereby scary. 

Which other films deserve a shout-out for their brilliant use of monsoon? Tell us in the comments below!

For more entertainment, follow us on @socialketchupbinge.