* Bellatrix Lestrange
Brought so well and creepily to life by Helena Bonham-Carter, the dark witch from Rowling’s Potter series is an easy-to-wear character. Ladies, literally let your hair go wild, and if you’ve got unmanageable long curly hair, even better. You’re already 75 per cent done with your make up! Most everyone’s had a goth phase in their life, so pull out all those layers of blacks, midnight blues, dark dirty greens and murky browns. Team a black tank top with a skirt, layering it with stockings (it’s anyway cool nowadays) and some boots. Tie your hair any which way you want (no, seriously!) and brush up on the dark colour pallete in your make up kit. Got black nail paint as well? Then you’re more than set. As for a wand, anything that is spindly and foot-long will do. Try the wooden cooking ladle in the kitchen or roll up some paper. You can at least swat people with it.
The final touch: scream ‘avada kedavara’ every time you see someone and laugh hysterically.
* Joe Carroll
Dressing up as Dexter is passe now, thanks to comic con, but you can still keep the whole serial killer thing going. If you’re fan of Edgar Allan Poe, Joe Carroll is your man. As the distinguished English professor-turned-serial killer with a cult played by James Purefoy from the series The Following, all you need to do is dress sharply. A well-kempt man, be sure to quote Poe at the strategic time and extol the beauty of death... or something similarly morbid. Tag along a butter knife (just to be safe) or even one of those plastic retractable-blade knives and smile a sinister grin.
* Mogambo
Strictly speaking, Halloween is the night of spook and gore and so on, but hey, last-minute dress ups don’t always give the shivers. That doesn’t mean you can’t pick some of Bollywood’s favourite antagonists as your inspiration. Amrish Puri’s portrayal of Mogambo in Mr. India could be one. Suit up, tuck a scarf around your neck, and try to add some gold trimmings near the collar. Being well dressed is the key. And lastly, use generous amounts of hair gel to style those curls around your forehead. The deeper your voice, the better. So everytime you get served at the party or someone says something nice, use that baritone and say, “Mogambo khush hua!”
* Gabbar Singh
This is a true classic that can never go out of fashion. Amjad Khan as Gabbar Singh in Sholay is a cult status and you can never go wrong or be out of place dressed as him, Halloween or not.
If you’re the bearded guy, find a matching pair of dark green pants and a shirt. If they’ve got lapels, even better.
For the bandolier (bullet sling), you can use an old brown leather belt, stick dark glass medicine bottles on to it for the bullets and strap it on your shoulder. Also, don’t forget to flick a loop-shaped earring/clip-on from a female friend and a child’s gun. If you aren’t sporting a beard, then just don’t bother shaving for the day.
The final touch: walk into the party and yell, “Kitne aadmi the?” and if you’re being denied a second round of drinks demand, “Ye haath humko de de, Thankur!”
* Boris
So India’s first zombie comedy was a bit of a bust. But, it did leave us with some fodder for costumes, thanks to Saif Ali Khan’s Boris. As a zombie-slayer, all you need is the effect of blood all over you. Red paint if you have it or mix some vermillion in water to form a thick consistent paste and drool it down your face. A pair of shades (who doesn’t have that), a chain around your neck and leather jacket will complete the look. You can throw on a waistcoat over a white t-shirt with blue jeans for a rugged look. If you can’t get a cigar, fashion one out of some brown paper. And if you’re not upto dying your hair golden blonde, slick it back with some hair gel. Oh and yes, don’t forget to not shave today. You can also accessorise with some rings, and pick up your kid brother’s or neighbours’ toy gun.
The final touch: get your plus one to dress up as zombie.