In 1991, Varma experimented with the supernatural thriller, Raat, and the 1992 Neo-noir, crime film Drohi, and gained positive reviews from critics. During the years between his trilogy, from "Satya" in 1998 to "D" in 2005, Varma implemented different film genres in his craft. In 1999, he directed "Kaun", a suspense thriller set entirely in one house and featuring only three actors, and "Mast", a subversion of Hindi cinema's masala genre. In 2000, he directed "Jungle", set entirely in a jungle, for which he was nominated for the Star Screen Award for Best Director. In 2003 he directed another supernatural thriller "Bhoot" on the lines of his earlier hit "Raat". "Bhoot" became a major hit at the box office, and Varma was nominated for the Filmfare Best Director Award for the film.