Synopsis
Tumbbad is an Indian film that was released in 2018 and incorporates elements of horror, fantasy, mythology, and a period drama. It was directed by Rahi Anil Barve, with co-direction by Adesh Prasad and creative contribution by Anand Gandhi. In Indian cinematic history, Tumbbad is remarkably unprecedented as it became a folklore-laden horror film filled with atmosphere and multi-layered themes. The movie sets itself over multiple decades, diving deep into the narrative of human greed and crafting a deeply troubling allegorical tale.
The story begins in 1918, during the British colonial rule over India. An old and fractured mansion in the village of Tumbbad, Maharashtra, catches our eye. This mansion contains the secret of a cursed family which long remained protected by a senile, old woman— the terrifying, undead keeper of the treasure, which revolves around a certain god named Hastar; a god from Hindu mythology who was said to be a deity of extreme greed and was cursed and over time turned to gold. This treasure is said to be tied to the god Hastar, a cursed deity who was banished and mutilated by other gods for his never-ending desires for gold and grains.
In the beginning, the story of Tumbbad introduces us to its central protagonist, Vinayak Rao, who is a young boy when he encounters the terrifying presence of Hastar in the mansion. There seems to be an affair between his mother and a formidable landlord whose family has kept the secret of Hastar. After a sinister event, Vinayak and his mother escape from Tumbbad, realizing the danger of the mansion and its sinister inhabitant while vowing to never return.
Years later, as an adult, he becomes obsessed with finding the treasure. His mother’s warnings are no match for his greed. He returns to Tumbbad and locates the chamber of secrets where Hastar dwells– a deep, pit-like womb inside the mansion the cursed god sleeps in a fetal position. The ruinous god is surrounded by gold, the process of retrieving the coin is manipulating the god into believing he is fed and then asphyxiated with grain concealed by his coins. Stealing the gold requires a perilous distraction.
After Machandranath leaves his mark, Totapuri tells Shrimati to get the idol placed in the lifeless idol Ganesh. Shrimati, desperately waiting for the demon lord to wake, casts the spell and needles him over and over again. Each one being the needle repeatedly. Totapuri at first succeeding tries and fails but ultimately dies painstakingly painfully after crafting a temple long structures dedicated to immense shackles of elemental emotion.
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The horrors of Tumbbad intertwine with the father’s past, and so does Vinayak’s son, played by Mohammad Samad. He experiences the revealing of horrors, and Vinayak’s mother played by Jyoti Malshe gives a captivating, yet realistic performance that establishes the direction of the rest of the film. Her performance was emotionally charged and psychologically intense.
Rahi Anil Barve is a first-time director and presents a fearless and stern outlook. He was supported by co-director Adesh Prasad and Ship of Theseus’s Anand Gandhi, who served as creatives. Both helped shape and complete his vision after enduring years of production postpones and narrative revisions.
Pankaj Kumar’s cinematography descriptions fail to do justice to his work, as breathtaking would not suffice. Rain soaked scenery, candle lit interiors, and subterranean chambers evoke notions of destruction, terror, and grandeur. The film aims to portray a world perpetually engulfed in grey and drenched by rain, which requires filming during several monsoon seasons to ensure visual continuity.
The film is riddled with despair, a tone set by Kyd’s score. Jesper Kyd is Danish and known for his video game compositions and even among them, this was new territory. Despite being a new experience for Kyd, his work captured tensions while preserving a sinister, ominous tone.
IMDb Ratings and Critical Reception
Tumbbad holds an 8.2/10 rating in IMDb, showing that the film had a positive reception both from critics and audiences. When the film was released, it was appreciated for its originality, production design, narrative structure, and stunning thematic depth. It not only gained a cult following in India, but also in diverse configurations of international cinephiles.
The film’s most distinguishing quality was its deviation from the absurd, often jump cut riddled, Bollywood horror norm. Instead of Tumbbad selecting atmospheric dread and psychological horror, it relied on Indian mythology which served as a backbone identity of the film. In contrast to the common horror trope, Tumbbad kept its tension slow and subtle, aiming for a more universal human weakness – greed.
Tumbbad is far more than merely a horror film. Using myth and fantasy, the film critiques human behavior and questions the human condition. Mostly known as the god of greed, Hastar’s allegory is utilized vividly and shows the peril nature of endless desire. Cumulatively Tumbbad tells a story of heavily colonial India, laced with underlying tales of extraction- exploitation of people, resources, and land.
The film’s detailed attention to world-building and other intricacies was appreciated by audiences. The inclusion of Marathi dialogue in certain scenes improved the authenticity of the film. Its non-linear storytelling, split into three distinct chapters that spans over different timelines, is not simply a tale, but rather a multi-generational saga of a man’s obsession with wealth and greed, revealing the evolution of humanity’s avarice throughout time.
Tumbbad may have not launched with a significant theatrial release, but gained a following through streaming services and film festivals. It was featured at the Venice Film Festival where it received a standing ovation, which is not common for Indian horror movies. Later on, the film went on to win numerous awards for best cinematography, sound design, and direction at various Indian film award shows.
Conclusion
Tumbbad is considered one of the first Indian films in the horror and fantasy genre, showcasing the versatile multiculturalism in Indian cinema. Its mix mythology, moral values and underlying fear creates a powerful cinematic experience that resonates deeply after watching it. Unlike most horror, it steers clear of excessive bloodshed and unrealistic paranormal elements. Rather, it relies on rich cultural folklore, existential questions, and character driven narrative.
Tumbbad can be viewed fundamentally as a parable on the perils of avarice – how it engulfs, not just a person, but entire lineages. It is also a tale of borders, both physical and ethical, and the consequences of transgressing them over and over again. The last takeaway from the movie is a warning and a reflection; that some mysteries are best left unsolved, and some deities better off left unremembered.
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