Synopsis
Tumbbad is a 2018 Indian horror-fantasy film from Rahi Anil Barve, who co-directed with Adesh Prasad and with Anand Gandhi as a creative director. Tumbbad is unlike Indian horror films as it incorporates aspects of mythology, psychological horror, and gothic elements to weave a richly Indian folklore narrative. The film is set over a span of decades during colonization and serves both as a cinematic exploration of atmosphere and metaphor. It is also a warning tale of greed.
The film starts with the Tumbbad village, which is a cursed village in Maharashtra, in the 20th century. It tells of Hastar, a greedy demigod who is the first born of a prosperity goddess, and comes with an ancient curse. The curse bound him for eternity for trying to claim gold and food. Though, the goddess did save him from his punishment. The legend states that he is eternally trapped in the earth’s womb, hiding boundless treasure, but no one is allowed to summon him.
The plot revolves around a boy named Vinayak Rao who lives with his mother and younger brother in a village. They care for a nearly inhuman old woman who is Vinayak’s great-grandmother. She is kept in a room and chained, never allowed to be fed. She is the keeper of a secret that is connected to Hastar’s treasure. After an untimely death of his brother, Vinayak’s mother decides to escape Tumbbad with him, afraid of the family curse.
An adult Vinayak years later is drawn to the remains of his ancestral home, driven by the memories of treasure. Through tedious work, he uncovers a secret pit under the mansion, a dark, womb-like space where Hastar resides. He discovers how to outsmart and distract him with food, allowing him to take the gold coins the demigod ceaselessly produces. The cost of this, however, is psychological and spiritual corruption.
With his newfound wealth, Vinayak frames himself in Pune, but his appetite for more grows. He returns to Tumbbad again and again, each time crossing more dangerous lines. He teaches his young son, Pandurang, about the curse of their family treasure, cementing his father’s burden into another generation.
The climax of the film occurs when Vinayak, now older and greedier, attempts to summon many Hastars at once to steal several coins. This mindless greed leads to a horrifying conclusion in which the demigods unleashed overwhelm him. In a moment of unexpected sanity, Vinayak opts to self-terminate and urges his son to forever ditch the cycle of greed. Vinayak’s son, Pandurang, burns the effigy of Hastar and walks off, abandoning the cursed treasure.
Cast & Crew
Sohum Shah as Vinayak Rao
Sohum Shah as Vinayak Rao has delivered a gripping and multi-faceted performance. He has portrayed the character’s arc from a curious young boy to a corrupted and aosbsessive older man. His portrayal of ambition and greed, and his eventual repentance, anchors the film emotionally.
Mohammad Samad as Pandurang
Mohammad Samad as Vinayak’s son is able to capture the innocence and eventual disenchantment of a child growing up in a world filled with secrets and greed. His character becomes increasingly pivotal during the film’s final act as the chance to end the cycle.
Jyoti Malshe as Vinayak’s Mother
As the fearful and stern mother, Jyoti Malshe effectively shows how deeply rooted terror and tradition impact the psyche. She lays the groundwork for the storyline and the emotional impact of the film.
Anita Date and Ronjini Chakraborty
These actresses play important supporting roles in Vinayak’s home life. Their characters reveal the impact of greed on a person’s life as well as on family and society.
Director: Rahi Anil Barve
Barve’s vision for Tumbbad took over a decade to refine. His distinct approach to visuals and the film’s narrative set it apart from Indian cinema. Blending Western gothic horror with Indian legends, Barve created a unique tapestry of storytelling.
Creative Director: Anand Gandhi
Gandhi is known for his philosophical drama, Ship of Theseus, and his participation in Tumbbad certainly enriched the film’s narrative. His influence is visible in the film’s allegorical subtexts.
Cinematography: Pankaj Kumar
With breathtaking visuals, Pankaj Kumar captures the natural elements of lighting, rain, darkness, and shadows to create an immersive atmosphere. The visual symbolism of the decaying house, the blood-red interiors, and the relentless rain embody the themes of decay, rebirth, and greed.
Music & Sound Design: Jesper Kyd
Kyd’s music for the movie is inspiring. The Assassin’s Creed composer incorporated disembodied scores for the movie’s soundtrack, keeping the sound design sparse. The effective, extended silences, broken by unsettling ambient sounds, create a world of discomfort.
IMDb Ratings and Critical Reception
Tumbbad has an 8.2/10 IMDb rating. This rating is a reflection of the movie’s success commercially and critically. The movie was considered a landmark for Indian cinema, especially coming from the Bollywood sphere. It featured atmosphere and folklore rather than the formulaic horror tropes that were the Bollywood industry’s style.
The movie was received positively for the originality in its visual narrative along with the moral complexity of the story. It was shown in major film festivals like the Venice Film and Fantastic Festival, where it was celebrated the for universal themes and artistry. The movie was also received positively for its grace with myth and tragedy, drawing comparisons to Guillermo del Toro and Robert Eggers.
Tumbbad strengthened its praise by having a tight pace featuring slow-building horror rather than using the traditional jump scares. The movie does not aim to thrill up front. Instead, it skillfully draws viewers into a decaying world.
While some critics pointed out that the allegory could be too heavy-handed or vague for those who did not know Indian mythology, most people, in general, believed that the creativity, ambition, planning, and execution of the piece outshined any minor issues.
Tumbbad: Legacy and Cultural Impact
Tumbbad became a cult favorite for fans of horror and world films. The movie also became a landmark for Indian genre cinema, encouraging other filmmakers to treat homegrown myths and folklore in a more professional and cinematic manner.
Tumbbad becomes relatable to a global audience through the story of Hastar, combining the feeling of greed to universal, relatable Indian myths. The phrase, “In a world obsessed with accumulation, Tumbbad is a stark reminder of the costs of unchecked ambition,” encapsulates the idea beautifully, as the story of Hastar acts as a metaphor for not just greed, but also the inheritance and destruction that follows.
The movie also ignited critical and academic conversations about the adaptation of Indian folklore to modern tales. It also proved that horror in Indian cinema does not have to be ghost gimmick driven; it can be deeply literary, philosophical, and emotionally shattering.
Moreover, Tumbbad set a new standard for Indian filmmaking with its production, design, prosthetic work, VFX, and cinematography. Tumbbad’s complete production took more than six years to complete. This period was spent doing extensive reshoots and shooting during specific weather conditions. This reflects the filmmakers’ prioritization of artistry over ease in the filmmaking process.
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