Woh Is the Weirdest It Copycat You’ll Ever See

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Fans of Stephen King’s It are getting ready for a new horror series from HBO that will delve into the origins of Pennywise and the town of Derry. While HBO is building out this world, a Hindi-language series called Woh did something similar back in 1998. This Indian TV show took King’s massive novel and turned it into a 52-episode epic – and it’s become known as one of the strangest adaptations ever made.

This wasn’t simply a remake of It with a new cast; it was a total reinvention, seen through the style of 1990s Indian television. Think over-the-top drama, intense close-ups, and a terrifying clown named ‘Woh’ who was truly unique. It was both spooky and delightfully cheesy, and it left a lasting impression on an entire generation of Indian viewers. But it wasn’t just a strange imitation; the show took the heart of King’s story and adapted it for a local audience, resulting in a narrative that was distinctly and proudly Indian.

India’s Pennywise Actually Turned Out as a Tragic Figure

Pennywise wasn’t a character with hidden depths; he was simply evil, a corrupted being whose only goal was to create fear and destruction. In contrast, the clown from the film Woh was far more unusual. Played by Indian actor Lilliput, known for his comedic roles, this killer clown was very different from the original Pennywise. Woh’s clown had a history, a difficult past, and was once a person himself.

The show wasn’t made with a lot of money, so it didn’t rely on fancy special effects or dramatic monster changes. The clown in Woh was mostly just a disturbing figure with clown makeup, and that’s what made him so scary. Instead of hiding in typical places like sewers, he appeared in everyday locations – along roadsides, near lakes, or even inside people’s homes – often using balloons to attract children.

When adapting the story for the screen, the creators first focused on Pennywise. In Stephen King’s novel, Pennywise is portrayed as a powerful, ancient evil from outer space. However, the show took a different approach with him, crafting a tragic backstory. He was reimagined as Vikram, a once-kind young man who was bullied for being small by the people in his town.

Okay, so this movie starts with Vikram, a guy completely heartbroken after a really rough rejection. He sinks into a depression and, get this, takes a job as a circus clown – deliberately, to constantly be reminded of both the joy and the ridicule he’s felt. Sadly, things get even darker and he ends his life. But then, the story takes a wild turn! He comes back as a ghost, but not a friendly one. This ghost is angry and wants revenge on the town that wronged him, and in a seriously messed up twist, he starts targeting innocent kids. Honestly, that shift – turning him from a tragic figure into a vengeful spirit who goes after children – completely changes the whole feel of the movie and makes it a different kind of horror altogether.

This new take on the clown really surprised me. Forget the monster or alien vibes – this version felt genuinely sad. They completely flipped the script, focusing on how human cruelty created this haunting figure. And speaking of changes, the famous Georgie scene? Forget the sewer. Since the town where they filmed didn’t have sewers, they cleverly used a swimming pool instead. But the biggest shift was in the clown himself. He wasn’t just scary, he was unsettlingly philosophical, constantly lecturing his victims about their own failings. Honestly, it made him even creepier than before. It wasn’t about jump scares; it was about a deep, disturbing sadness and the weight of past wrongs.

A 52-Episode Story That Worked For ’90s Indian Television

Adapting a single book – even a long one – into 52 episodes of television seems impossible, but the Indian TV series Woh manages it through a uniquely dramatic storytelling style common in 1990s serials. The show takes the core ideas of fear and trauma from the source material and expands them into drawn-out, emotional storylines. It begins with seven teenage friends who initially confront a terrifying clown. After defeating him and vowing to reunite if he returns, the story jumps ahead 15 years. These friends, now adults, are summoned back to their hometown by their leader, Ashutosh, because the clown, known as Woh, has reappeared.

Even after defeating him once more, the story continues. The show jumps forward another seven years, and we meet Ashutosh as a father to a seven-year-old son, Siddharth. On Siddharth’s birthday, the group is horrified to discover that the villain has returned – this time possessing the boy. This is when things get really dramatic, in true Indian television style. Instead of battling the monster, the friends search for Vikram’s long-lost mother. In a touching final scene, they bring her to the caves where the spirit resides and try to reason with him. They help him find inner peace, and he finally releases his anger, achieving salvation.

The film’s ending might seem unusual or even strange to Western audiences, or fans of the original ‘It,’ as it departs from typical Western storytelling. However, in 1990s India, emotionally satisfying and hopeful endings were very popular with viewers, and this film delivered that. Instead of a violent climax, the story concludes with a touching display of compassion and forgiveness. Glen Barretto, a co-writer and director, explained to Film Companion that he intentionally avoided killing off the idea of the clown, stating,

A Nostalgic Horror That Still Resides in Fans’ Heads

For Indian kids who grew up in the 1990s, Woh wasn’t just a simple imitation of other shows – it was a major pop culture moment. Aired on Zee TV, it terrified viewers at home and became the stuff of playground legends the next day. The show’s success wasn’t due to a big budget, but rather its perfect timing and spooky atmosphere. It aired before streaming services were popular, so the whole family would watch together, creating a shared weekly scare.

The show’s theme music was genuinely unsettling and still evokes a nostalgic chill in those who remember it. It’s become a beloved classic of Indian pop culture, widely considered one of the best horror shows from India. People fondly remember it as both scary and amusing, with a distinctively over-the-top ’90s vibe.

For many viewers, Woh was genuinely frightening. Lilliput, who once played the clown, said his own daughter used to be scared watching him on television. He even recalled an incident where children ran away from him at a clinic, and their parents had to reassure them. Some fans admit they have hazy memories of the show, but recognize it as the reason they developed a fear of clowns.

If you come across this show on YouTube (where it’s available without English subtitles), you’ll find a surprisingly funny and engaging story that asks ‘what if?’ Viewers don’t see the show’s simple effects or over-the-top drama as weaknesses – they add to its unique appeal. While it’s a bit strange considering how serious the original story is, it’s not a bad thing. In fact, these quirks make it stand out and become memorable for fans.

While inspired by Stephen King’s It, the show Woh ultimately became something entirely original. It was distinctly Indian, strange, and captivating. It beautifully demonstrates how a familiar story can be reimagined and transformed when viewed through a different cultural perspective. Its unusualness and dramatic flair are central to its appeal, and many viewers found it deeply relatable. For a generation of viewers, Woh wasn’t just an Indian version of It; it was the show that instilled a lifelong fear of clowns.

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2025-10-24 17:08