Tumbbad is a historical thriller that revolves around a novel of the same name. The story is set in the city of Pune in the early 1920s. The movie was released today and has managed to create a huge buzz around itself thanks to its jump scares and eerie music.
Movie review
The movie is nothing short of a spectacle which captures your attention right from the first scene. It is then followed by a silent theatre echoing with gasps of the audience as the plot unravels. With sets that will haunt you in your dreams, Tumbbad creates an atmosphere that transports you into a different reality. The movie is a great addition to modern day list of Bollywood horror movies that are often a front to treat the audience with sex scenes and scantily clad actresses in this supposed Age of Enlightenment.
Screenplay & story
The screenplay and the plot of the movie is very crisp and precise with minimal dialogues. Rahi Anil Barve has managed to create a marvel with the story in collaboration with Anand Gandhi. The years of production that went into the project clearly show on screen and thanks to the eerie sound of the movie, you hardly notice the lack of dialogues sometimes. The plot is well adapted to the story and will keep you on the edge of your seat until the climax. All in all, it is a very well written project.
Performances and Direction
Sohum Shah and Master Mohammad Samad are the lead actors that will take you on a journey through the 1920s India and the disturbing reality of people living during that time. The movie deals with 3 generations of a family and the actors do a tremendous job of establishing the same. Mohammad Samad shines as the lead of the movie with his to the point expressions and some amazing delivery. Sohum Shah, the actor producer decides to take a different approach to his role. With a straight faced character that does not speak much, Sohum manages to deliver the performance with a lot of Gravitas, which pulls you towards the story of the movie. Other supporting actors have acted their heart out and there is not much nit picking that you can do with them either.
The director’s approach to the concept too, is nothing short of exemplary. With a colour palette that consists of only reds, blacks and browns Rahi Anil Barve has managed to recreate the era of early 1900s in India in its entirety. The director has a keen eye for details and he makes sure that the world he creates is truly justified. Watch the excrept from their YouTube page below.
Overall
Tumbbad is projected to be a big hit and is already proving to be a tough time for its comepetitors. The movie manages to transport you to a different realm and keep you on the edge of your seat, which most Bollywood Horror movies have been unable to do in recent times. A talented cast will involve you in the story and Rahi Anil Barve’s excellent direction and use of jump scares is surely going to rid you of your sleep. The movie overall, is an excellent pick for this week and scores a rating of 4/5.
