Tumbbad
Based on mythology, the Tamil film blends human feelings like greed, fear, and obsession slightly intricately together in Tumbbad. Rahi Anil Barve directs and co-writes Tumbbad with Mitesh Shah and Prasad Barve and Anand Gandhi, an in depth view into human beings decides to reach for the money and what happens when you do it. Filmed in the background of rural Maharashtra, the film explores the domain of ancient myths and creates an eerie and truly thrilling fable on screen. Tumbbad is an experimental Indian film that tells a captivating story, has fantastic cinematography and an eerie soundtrack, and helped land it both critical acclaim and a sizable cult following.
First released on October 12, 2018, and set to take the theatres by storm again with a fresh theatrical re-release date of September 13, 2024 giving you the chance to see Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera on the big screen again.

Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Movie Title | Tumbbad |
Language | Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi |
Genres | Fantasy, Horror, Period |
Director | Rahi Anil Barve |
Producers | Aanand L. Rai, Sohum Shah, Mukesh Shah |
Cast | Sohum Shah, Harish Khannaa, Anita Date, Jyoti Malshe, Deepak Damle |
Music | Ajay-Atul, Jesper Kyd |
Cinematography | Pankaj Kumar |
Editor | Sanyukta Kaza |
Production Companies | Colour Yellow Productions, Sohum Shah Films, Film i Väst |
Release Date | October 12, 2018 (Re-release: September 13, 2024) |
Plot
Tumbbad is based on a man who is compelled to amass wealth, Vinayak Rao, in the early 20th century. Like an ancient myth about a goddess creating the universe and also giving birth to Hastar – the malevolent deity, representing greed and hunger – is the basis of the film. Tumbbad is a forgotten village where an uncle of Vinayak a man on a quest for riches, uncovers treasure guarded by Hastar.
Tumbbad is divided over a number of timelines that tell us how Vinayak’s obsession with the treasure increases and increases, delving further and further into the horror that lies within Tumbbad. Vinayak fights a myriad of battles keeping the greed burning, dealing with the evil forces surrounding the money including the ill effects of his actions. This supernatural, psychological horror is a great mixture of both a mystic and whoa such feeling.
Performance
*The performances in *Tumbbad* are even stronger than its obvious strongest element, Sohum Shah as the lead, Vinayak Rao.* Shah gives depth to his character, and Vinayak seems to be the man so obsessed with wealth that it consumes him. His is a man struggling with his own internal demons, struggling with the external supernatural forces. Vinayak is repellent and relatable, and Shah does a terrific job of making his character so: the complexities of his occupation are navigated so well.
Anita Date and **Harish Khannaa also show up with good supporting roles that well complement the main story. Their characters are played for tragic effect in the film’s implicit under-theorization focused on greed. Another noteworthy factor is that, with an ensemble cast, also donning important roles are *Jyoti Malshe* et al and help the film fill up the munitions of its emotional weight and resolve the narrative.
Screenplay and Direction
For its visual style and storytelling Tumbbad stands out under the direction of Rahi Anil Barve, and despite limited availability outside its indigenous language. One cannot fail to notice that Barve knows how to make its mythology and horror deftly blend, and his stories draw you in from the beginning with something akin to haunting atmosphere. Mitesh Shah, Prasad Barve and Anand Gandhi have written a masterfully written screenplay — a tension and suspense is carefully built at each scene.
The film is paced, for these small moments of creeping quiet that are punctuated by just a little more action. The numerous timelines depicted in the movie portray Vinayak’s downward spiraling into madness, and although we do not see it onscreen, there is a believability to his slow transformation from the hopeful, young man to a hysterically greedy and desperate individual. The filmmakers also strike the perfect balance between horror, fantasy and drama, which makes for a visually beautiful and thick with thematic narrative.
Music
Tumbbad has a very important music in building its mood and atmosphere. The score to the film was composed by Ajay-Atul, known for their emotionally charged soundtracks, and adds to the eerie tension that permeates the film. According to the terms reflected in the plaintive melodies and queasy sound design, the film has a great deal of dread.
Jesper Kyd, among other things video game industry veteran who creates a sense of chilling sound design that blends into the visuals, also plays an additional hand. All of these sound, the village’s ambient sounds, howling winds and music that’s subtle and menacing come together to provide a complete immersive experience. Tumbbad would never be as effective as it is as a horror film without the soundscape; it intensifies the horror sequences and elevates the supernatural aspects.
Theme
Tumbbad, literally, is about the destruction, the aftermath of greed and obesssion, and that is, essentially, what it is about at its core. Surrounding a mythological aura, the atmosphere of the film functions as a commentary on the consequences of unbridled desire; Hastar represents the monster of insatiable appetite that creeps inside the hearts of the characters. The film examines how greed can turn a person into a person that makes choice after choice until he becomes mentally and physically consumed.
The horror elements of the film feel perfect for the themes of myth and folklore that are seamlessly and endlessly interwoven with it; creating an amazing tapestry of storytelling exploring human nature’s darker side. Tumbbad also gets into the real moral implications of actions swayed by selfishness, so it’s not just a horror story, either it’s a meditation on human failings and what they desire.
Conclusion
It’s a cinematic gem that’s trying to merge mythology horror and human emotion in a way few Indian films have: Tumbbad. The film has stuck its landing with strong performances, brilliant direction, and that haunting score to become a one and only, boundary shredding entry in the genre. This movie takes advantage of folklore in a very innovative manner and also gels an intense emotional journey of its protagonist that makes it stand out to be a film of Indian cinema.
Tumbbad *will be releasing again in September 2024 for new viewers to see it in the big screen, and for those old fans to revisit the eerie world of the film. This fear fueled ability for the film to merge deep, universal themes with an unease evoking dramatic talent that makes it a classic of the horror and fantasy genres. So, watch it now on iBomma.