NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Mondo Macabro Blu-ray (September 2025): Mondo Macabro have transferred Tulsi and Shyam Ramsay's Veerana: Vengeance of the Vampire to Blu-ray. It is cited as a "Brand new 4k transfer from film negative, digitally restored." The film's overall look is a vibrant, atmospheric blend of gothic horror and supernatural spectacle, characterized by bold use of color, eerie lighting, and imaginative set pieces that create a sense of mysticism and dread. Influences from Western horror are evident in the practical effects: Nakita's hag-like transformation features curdled skin, messy hair, long nails, fanged teeth, and wide blue eyes, achieved through impressive makeup that rivals higher-budget productions, while gore elements like decapitations and blood spurts add visceral impact despite their cheesiness. The restoration effectively cleans up the inherent artifacts - although there are damage marks mostly later in the film during the fight sequences (see samples below) - from the low budget production resulting in vibrant colors during the film's atmospheric sequences - such as lipstick, costumes, the foggy landscapes and vividly lit ritual scenes - while preserving the gritty, gothic aesthetic inspired by Western horror influences like Mario Bava. Improved contrast enhances the eerie shadows in the haunted haveli interiors. The HD presentation looks quite authentic with a few forgivable warts.

NOTE: We have added 54 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Mondo Macabro use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (24-bit) in the original Hindi language. Bappi Lahiri's (540 film compositions to his credit) synth-heavy soundtrack, including seductive tracks like "Dil Ki Dhadkan Kya Kahe," benefits from the lossless and deeper bass, allowing the electronic cues and Eastern melodies to envelop the viewer during horror and dance sequences, while sound effects - such as thunderous echoes, bat screeches, and gurgling death throes - gain added intensity. Dialogue remains crisp and intelligible, with newly translated optional English subtitles that accurately capture the melodramatic exchanges and folklore explanations, though some minor hiss from the source material persists, adding to the authentic 1980s Bollywood charm rather than detracting from it. Mondo Macabro offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Mondo Macabro Blu-ray extras package is modest featuring an introduction to the film by writer Tim Paxton (The Cinematic Art of Fantastic India,) who provides insightful context on the Ramsay Brothers' legacy in Indian horror, their blending of local folklore with global influences, and the movie's controversial erotic elements that led to censorship delays. Also included is the original theatrical trailer, which captures the film's campy allure with snippets of seduction, gore, and supernatural thrills, serving as a nostalgic teaser for fans.

Tulsi and Shyam Ramsay's Veerana: Vengeance of the Vampire epitomizes the low-budget horror cinema that dominated Bollywood in the 1980s. Produced on a modest budget, the film blends supernatural horror, eroticism, comedy, and musical numbers, drawing from Western influences like Hammer horror films while incorporating Indian folklore elements such as witches (chudails) and possession. As part of the Ramsay family's prolific output of over 30 horror films, "Veerana" stands out for its cult status, achieved through home video popularity and television reruns despite initial censorship hurdles and mixed critical reception. The overstuffed narrative, clocking in at over 2 1/4 hours, often diverts into subplots like martial arts fights and slapstick comedy, reflecting the Ramsay Brothers' eclectic style. At its core, "Veerana" explores themes of possession and female vengeance, portraying Nakita/Jasmin as a dual figure: an innocent victim and a monstrous seductress. This duality draws from Indian myths of chudails - female spirits who prey on men - infused with vampire-like traits, such as blood-drinking and shape-shifting into bats or snakes, echoing Western gothic horror. Eroticism is a dominant motif, with Jasmin's alluring dances and seductive encounters pushing boundaries in 1980s Indian cinema, leading to censorship battles over its "A" (adult) rating no nudity, only gruesome make-up. Broader motifs include the clash between modernity and tradition, evident in urban characters confronting rural folklore. Editing is uneven, contributing to pacing issues, but the film's energy keeps it engaging. Its hybrid style - merging horror, comedy, and erotica - mirrors Bollywood's masala formula but innovates by amplifying sensuality, making it controversial yet progressive for its time. Mondo Macabro's Blu-ray package's 4K-restored presentation that elevates the film's chaotic mix of possession, vengeance, and sensuality to new heights. It honors the Ramsay Brothers' cult legacy while introducing the movie's over-the-top energy to a broader audience. Despite its slim bonus content, the pleasing restoration alone justifies the upgrade, cementing "Veerana" as a vibrant artifact of 1980s Indian genre cinema worth rediscovering. 

Gary Tooze