There was a time when October 31 in Indian metros meant little more than plastic vampire fangs, smudged eyeliner, and a black pointed hat retrieved from an old delivery box. But somewhere between the explosion of pop culture fandoms, binge-watch culture, and the irresistible pull of main character energy on social media, the Indian party circuit threw out the rulebook.
Today, Halloween is a full-scale creative playground. From Mumbai’s crowded speakeasies to Bengaluru’s sprawling rooftop bars, nightlife is turning into a living, breathing parade of viral internet lore, nostalgic sartorial flexes, and unapologetic chaos. We spoke to five partygoers across India to ask the ultimate question: If you could embody any fictional villain, pop icon, or internet phenomenon this Halloween, who are you donning?
The absurd high-fashion bit
While some revive classic pop-culture glam, others approach the assignment through a satirical lens. In the immortal words of Cady Heron in Mean Girls, the holiday operates under its own unwritten social contracts. Mumbai-based corporate lawyer Apoorv Dixit opens by invoking that exact gospel, “I’m a firm believer in the immortal Mean Girls quote: ‘In Girl World, Halloween is the one night a year when a girl can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it.’ While I may not technically qualify for Girl World, I fully subscribe to the philosophy.”
Reflecting on last year’s costume, Dixit decided to go full conceptual luxury this time around, “My Halloween goal is always the same: be shirtless, be creative, and be better than everyone else. Last year, I went as Aladdin, but everyone immediately understood it. It was good, but it wasn’t iconic. This year, I’d aim much higher and go as Kylie Jenner’s legendary USD 50 million diamond bra from the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Not Kylie Jenner herself. The bra. There’s a difference.”
His reasoning for dressing up as luxury lingerie becomes surprisingly airtight, “Why go as a villain or superhero when you can dress up as a piece of jewellery worth more than most people will see in a lifetime? It’s glamorous, absurd, slightly unhinged, and guaranteed to start conversations.”
For him, true Halloween greatness is entirely a test of commitment to the bit. “Anyone can throw on a cape and call themselves Batman. It takes true dedication to confidently tell strangers, ‘Actually, I’m a USD 50 million bra.’ If I’m going to embarrass myself, I’d rather do it as the most expensive underwear in history.”
The unhinged cinematic villain
There is a unique thrill in abandoning pristine, polished looks for something entirely unhinged. Horror cinema and psychological thrillers give partygoers permission to lean into their darkest impulses. Mumbai content creator Janhavi Motwani notes how the holiday acts as a social equalizer, “Halloween is one of my favourite days of the year because you can throw on the most ridiculous outfit and realise, you’re still not the most unhinged person in the room.”
Having played it safe in past years, she decided it was time for a drastic pivot straight to recent thriller cinema. “The one character that stayed with me over the past year is Freaky Nikki from Obsession. I usually hate horror movies, but she was crazy, unpredictable, and so entertaining. The look will be simple but instantly recognisable—a white one-shoulder tee, some fake blood, and I’m ready to channel my inner Nikki. Honestly, it would be pretty fun to act a little crazy and randomly scream ‘NO, NO, NO!’ every once in a while.”
The chaotic gaming takeover
A massive shift in Indian subculture is quietly redefining costume parties: the rise of serious DIY cosplay driven by gaming fandoms. For Bengaluru-based student and gaming enthusiast Ananya Sharma, there was never any doubt about her pick, “Honestly? Hands down, I’m going as Jinx from League of Legends and Arcane.”
She points out how urban nightlife has shifted dramatically to accommodate this level of detail, “Halloween in India used to just be basic vampire teeth and fake blood, but the vibe in cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru has completely levelled up. Partygoers are actually putting serious effort into cosplay now! I’ve been obsessed with Arcane since season one, and Jinx is the ultimate chaotic icon—electric blue braided pigtails, neon punk aesthetics, and unhinged energy.”
Bringing a full-scale gaming protagonist to life requires serious behind-the-scenes effort. “I’m currently knee-deep in DIY mode and trying to craft her signature Fishbone rocket launcher out of PVC pipes, cardboard, and neon spray paint, while scouring Commercial Street for leather harnesses and boots. Stepping into a packed club with full face paint, body tattoos, and blue hair is going to feel epic. Halloween is the one night you get to completely drop your normal persona and just be a total menace in the coolest way possible,” Sharma says.
The nostalgic beauty flex
Long before minimalistic beauty took over our feeds, late 2010s internet pop culture was ruled by Tumblr aesthetics and turquoise dip-dyes. For those who view makeup as a canvas, Halloween offers the ultimate stage for nostalgia. Jaipur-based creator Yashi Tank explains what the holiday represents to her, “What I love most about Halloween is the freedom to experiment and transform into someone completely different. For me, makeup is a way to express creativity and bring a character to life. Halloween gives me the perfect opportunity to take that to the next level.”
That appetite for experimentation led her straight to mid-2010s social media royalty. “This year, I would love to recreate Kylie Jenner’s iconic King Kylie era. I’ve always been drawn to the bold, edgy aesthetic she embraced—from her statement lip colours and dramatic eye makeup to her colourful hair and fearless fashion choices,” she tells us animatedly.
Tank believes executing it authentically demands fully absorbing the vibe of that era, “What excites me most is recreating those iconic details while adding my own creative touch. It’s not just about recreating a look; it’s about embodying an entire persona and bringing its energy to life through makeup.”
The Upper East Side royalty
No Halloween roundup would be complete without the timeless allure of pure high-society drama. Certain fictional characters transcend their television origins to become permanent blueprints for main-character energy. Mumbai-based creator Honey Sheth declares her total allegiance to television royalty, “If I could embody any fictional character this Halloween, it would 100 per cent be Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl. First, the fashion: the headbands, bows, mini dresses, tights, statement coats, heels. Her wardrobe was an entire mood board before mood boards were even a thing.”
Beyond the tailored coats, it’s an attitude that commands whatever space it enters. “Blair has a very specific energy. She knows what she wants, she has strong opinions, and she walks into every room like she belongs there. I’d want someone to look at me and immediately get the reference: an oversized headband or bow, perfect hair, and the kind of attitude that says I have somewhere very important to be. I’d take the wardrobe, the confidence, and the Upper East Side energy and probably leave the scheming behind. Although, no promises,”
Whether it is a USD 50 million piece of conceptual luxury, an electric blue-haired gaming anti-hero, or an oversized headband packed with Manhattan entitlement, one thing is clear: India’s Halloween partygoers are no longer playing it safe. October 31 has become the ultimate excuse to step out of the daily routine and step into character.
