Community Connect: Chennai gets into the halloween spirit

Forget vampires, witches and the usual Halloween suspects. As October draws to a close, the city’s house parties are getting a distinctly Kollywood makeover (why be Miranda Priestly when you can be Neelambari?). Meanwhile, others are gearing up for horror movie marathons, VR horror rides, themed dining experiences and even a storytelling session.Kollywood characters & spooky living roomsFor this group of Chennai friends, Halloween is getting a Kollywood twist. Organiser Arjun says guests will dress as Tamil cinema characters, from a Jailer 2's MVP to Karuppu, while one couple plans to recreate Rishikanth and Anishma’s looks from Modha Rathiri. “We wanted to make Halloween a little more fun this year, so we’re bringing Tamil cinema into the mix. There are prizes for the top three costumes, with vouchers and a special hamper up for grabs,” he says.Meanwhile, research analyst Sashka and her friends are continuing their annual horror movie night, screening Insidious alongside a creepy-themed potluck. The menu? Finger-shaped sausages, eyeball devilled eggs, ‘witches’ blood’ mocktails and gummy-worm brownies. “The movie is only half the fun; the other half is seeing what everyone brings. The more disgusting it looks, the better!” she laughs.City’s Halloween scene goes beyond themed partiesFrom Halloween-themed buffets and DJ nights to virtual reality horror rides and ghost stories, the city has a spooky line-up this week. Ministry of Chutneys at Radisson Blu Hotel & Suites GRT Chennai has been celebrating the event from October 25 onwards. “Halloween offers a playful way to bring families and friends together,” says Vikram Cotah, its CEO, adding that younger audiences are increasingly open to themed dining and entertainment. At The Park, Nungambakkam, Six ’O’ One (601) is hosting a Halloween-themed dinner buffet, while Pasha will feature special cocktails, themed décor and a DJ party. “The celebrations offer guests an opportunity to enjoy different Halloween experiences, from a themed dining experience to an evening of music and entertainment, all at one destination,” says a hotel representative.At Alliance Française of Madras, October 30 and 31 will feature virtual reality horror rides at La Maison Café Library and Tell Me a Scary Story, a storytelling session at Espace 24. An interactive discussion comparing French and Indian myths and superstitions is also scheduled for October 31.Paws, paint and pumpkinsHalloween got a particularly adorable twist at a recent pumpkin-painting session, where participants painted pumpkin cut-outs in the company of playful puppies. “It was such a fun way to spend an evening. We came expecting to paint pumpkins, but the puppies completely stole the show. Everyone was taking pictures, exchanging colours and trying to get the little ones to sit still. It felt less like an event and more like hanging out with friends,” says Dev Thakkar, a research analyst.Financial advisor Ojaswita Saha adds, “The best part was how relaxed everything felt. You could be terrible at painting and still have the best time. The puppies made the whole experience so much sweeter, and honestly, it was the kind of Halloween plan I would happily sign up for again.”You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ testGet the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.