Social media is trending with a new thing—Labubu dolls. These small, quirky dolls with sharp teeth and wide grins have caught everyone’s attention. Labubu was created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and is produced by Pop Mart International Group. The character comes from Lung’s The Monster Trilogy, which is said to be inspired by Nordic mythology.

But while the world is going crazy over Labubu, India had its very own creepy doll long before—Tatya Vinchu from the 1993 Marathi horror-comedy film Zapatlela.

India’s first horror doll: Tatya Vinchu

Long before Labubu became popular, Indian audiences were already scared and amazed by Tatya Vinchu. He first appeared in the Marathi movie Zapatlela, directed by Mahesh Kothare. The film told the story of a police officer chasing a criminal, whose soul ends up inside a puppet. That puppet becomes the terrifying Tatya Vinchu.

Tatya Vinchu wasn’t just a movie prop. It was controlled by well-known ventriloquist Ramdas Padhye and voiced by actor Dilip Prabhavalkar. His scary eyes, creepy laugh, and famous line “Om Phat Swaha” made him unforgettable. The film became a cult classic, and the doll left a big mark on viewers, especially in Marathi-speaking homes.

Today, the legacy continues with Ramdas Padhye’s son, Satyajit Padhye, who keeps the character alive through stage shows and social media.

The rise of labubu dolls

Labubu made its first appearance in 2015 as part of The Monsters, a picture book by Kasing Lung. But it became a worldwide craze in 2019 when Pop Mart began selling it as part of blind-box collectibles.

In April 2024, the doll’s popularity exploded after Blackpink’s Lisa was seen with a Labubu keychain. Soon, other stars like Rihanna, Madonna, Dua Lipa, and Kim Kardashian were also spotted with them. Now, there are more than 300 types of Labubu dolls in the form of plushies and keychains.

While Labubu is taking over the world, India will always have its spooky pride—Tatya Vinchu.

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