Tumbbad - 2018

Tumbbad is a 2018 Indian horror film directed by Rahi Anil Barve and co-directed by Adesh Prasad. The movie is set in the early 20th century and revolves around a mythical ancestral village called Tumbbad in Maharashtra, India. The plot follows the life of a young man named Vinayak Rao, who is desperate to uncover the secrets of his family's past and the hidden treasure that lies within the village.

The movie is a unique blend of horror, fantasy, and mythology and is known for its stunning visuals, haunting soundtrack, and impressive performances by its cast. The film's intricate storyline and layered characters make it a must-watch for those who appreciate thought-provoking cinema.

Tumbbad has received critical acclaim for its originality, boldness, and ability to push the boundaries of Indian cinema. It has won numerous awards, including Best Feature Film in Hindi at the 66th National Film Awards, and has been praised for its technical excellence, including its use of special effects and sound design.

Overall, Tumbbad is a cinematic masterpiece that combines horror, fantasy, and mythology in a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating way. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in exploring the depths of Indian cinema and experiencing something truly unique and unforgettable.

Table Of Content 

• Details

• Plot

• Release

• Review

• Casting 

• Crew

• Character Analysis

• Songs 

• Behind the Scenes

• Controversy 

• Box of Collection

• Awards

• Interesting Facts 

• Conclusion 

• How to book a personalised video message from celebrity on Tring? 

Details

Plot 

Vinayak Rao describes the Goddess of Prosperity to his 14-year-old son Pandurang in 1947. She represents infinite gold (wealth) and grain (food), and the land is her womb. She gave birth to 160 million gods when the world was created. Hastar, her first and most adored child, was a glutton for all her money and food. Hastar was successful in obtaining the gold from the deity, but the other gods attacked him just as he was about to obtain her food. The goddess then rescued him on the condition that he never be worshipped and be forgotten by history.

Hastar slept for years inside his mother's belly. Residents of Tumbbad, where Hastar has been imprisoned in his mother's womb, defy this old taboo and construct a temple devoted to Hastar. The gods are enraged, and they curse the hamlet, causing an endless downpour of rain.

Vinayak's mother and the mistress of the local lord (addressed as Sarkar) visit him at his mansion in 1918 in Tumbbad. This involves providing him with sexual services in exchange for a single gold coin kept with the Hastar idol. Meanwhile, Vinayak and his younger sibling Sadashiv are concerned about having to feed Sarkar's ancestor, a monstrous old lady chained up in a separate room. After the Sarkar passes, the mother suggests leaving Tumbbad for Pune. Vinayak is adamant about discovering the treasure that is said to be hidden somewhere in the mansion. Sadashiv suffers serious injuries after falling from a tree, forcing his mother to transport him to the hospital. 

She informs Vinayak that he must feed his grandma that night. She also warns him that if the old lady awakens, he should call on the name 'Hastar' to put her to sleep. Meanwhile, Sadashiv passes away on his journey to the doctor.

The mother instructs her carriage driver to take her to Sarkar's mansion to recover the gold coin. While Vinayak is attempting to feed her, the monstrous and hungry elderly lady attacks and shackles him in order to devour him. Vinayak conjures Hastar's name, causing her to sleep. When his mother returns, he and Vinayak depart Tumbbad for Pune the next day. Despite his protests to remain and search for the treasure, she forces Vinayak to promise never to return to Tumbbad.

Fifteen years pass and Vinayak grows up. Vinayak returns to Tumbbad, desperate to flee his life of poverty. The old woman, who now has a tree growing out of her body, tells him that if he touches the treasure, Hastar, he will be cursed to become immortal and transformed into a monster like her. She explains that in return for ending her long suffering, a well leads to the goddess' womb, where Hastar resides. Vinayak keeps his word and sets her on fire, thus killing her. 

Despite stealing the goddess's wealth, Hastar was unable to obtain her grain. As a result of being famished for years, he craves flour. Vinayak physically trains himself to climb a long rope and creates dough dolls to entice Hastar into the goddess' womb. Vinayak swipes at Hastar's loincloth, which contains the gold, while he is preoccupied by the food. Vinayak repeats the process for stealing dropped coins on a regular basis. To repay a debt, he gives his first gold coin to the opium merchant Raghav. Vinayak returns to Tumbbad to steal from Hastar whenever he requires more money.

Raghav openly speculates on the treasure rumoured to exist in the Tumbbad mansion, as well as why Vinayak can only recover a few coins at a time. Vinayak and his wife have a kid named Pandurang. When Sergeant Cooper gives him only two days to deliver the money, Raghav sells his widowed daughter-in-law as a mistress to Vinayak, who informs Vinayak of Raghav's plans to visit Tumbbad and take the treasure in return for money. Vinayak is then shown following Raghav to the Tumbbad house, where he tricks him into descending into the goddess' womb, where Hastar viciously attacks Raghav and transforms him into a monster, conjoining him to the womb's walls. Vinayak kills Raghav by burning him alive.

Vinayak takes Pandurang to the mansion in 1947 to train him for the same reason and instructs him not to bring the dough doll down. However, he brings a dough doll in secrecy, and Hastar suddenly attacks. They narrowly escape, and Vinayak chastises his son for nearly touching them. Pandurang recommends stealing Hastar's loincloth, and they create dozens of dough dolls in order to distract Hastar. However, when numerous clones of Hastar appear, one for each doll they own, the two of them become trapped inside the womb. With no other option, Vinayak ties the dolls to his body as bait, allowing his son to return securely. 

When the coast is clear, Pandurang returns to the top to find his father transformed into a monster outside the well. Vinayak offers him the stolen loincloth that he stole from Hastar, but Pandurang declines. Pandurang reluctantly sets Vinayak on fire and departs, sobbing at what his father has become.

Release

Tumbbad was the first Indian film to be screened in the critics' week portion of the 75th Venice International Film Festival.  It was also shown at the 2018 Fantastic Fest, Sitges Film Festival, Screamfest Horror Film Festival, El Gouna Film Festival, Kerala International Film Festival, Morbido Film Fest, Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, and Nitte International Film Festival. A special screening was hosted by Aanand L. Rai prior to the film's release, which was attended by the film's team and several other filmmakers. Tumbbad was broadcast on 575 screens in India on October 12, 2018. It is also accessible in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu on Amazon Prime Video.

Reviews

Rotten Tomatoes,  has an approval number of 87% based on 23 reviews, with a 7.67/10 average rating. According to Rachit Gupta of The Times of India, the film is moody and atmospheric, and fans of Hollywood horror films will be reminded of Pan's Labyrinth (2006) and Eraserhead (2006) (1977). It's been a while since something genre-based turned out so rich and mysterius, so definitely its own thing,  wrote Baradwaj Rangan. Raja Sen described the film as ambitious, artistic, and meticulously made, reminding me of filmmaker Tarsem Singh's trippy stylings.  Shubhra Gupta of the Indian Express described it as a highly unusual, visually stunning, richly atmospheric concoction of genres and themes.

Casting 

• Sohum Shah as Vinayak Rao

• Jyoti Malshe as Vinayak's mother

• Dhundiraj Prabhakar Jogalekar as young Vinayak

• Rudra Soni as Sadashiv

• Madhav Hari Joshi as Sarkar

• Piyush Kaushik as Grandmother

• Anita Date-Kelkar as Vaidehi; Vinayak's wife

• Deepak Damle as Raghav

• Cameron Anderson as Sergeant Cooper

• Ronjini Chakraborty as Vinayak's mistress

• Mohammad Samad as Pandurang

Crew

• Directed by Rahi Anil Barve

• Produced by Sohum Shah, Aanand L. Rai, Anand Gandhi, Mukesh Shah, Amita Shah

• Starring by Sohum Shah, Anita Date-Kelkar, Mohammad Samad 

• Cinematography by Pankaj Kumar

• Edited by Sanyukta Kaza

• Music by Song: Ajay–Atul Score: Jesper Kyd

• Distributed by Eros International

• Running time 104 minutes

• Production Companies- Eros International, Sohum Shah Films, Colour Yellow Productions, Film i Väst, Filmgate Films

Character Analysis

1. Vinayak - Vinayak is the film's protagonist, whose character undergoes significant changes throughout the story. Initially, he is a curious and adventurous child fascinated by the myth of the goddess and the treasure. However, as he grows older, his obsession with the treasure becomes all-consuming, and he becomes increasingly ruthless and manipulative. Vinayak is a complex and multifaceted character whose journey is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition.

2. Sadashiv as Rudra Soni  played the character of Vinayak's elder brother. Sadashiv is a well-drawn and nuanced character who adds depth and complexity to the story. His journey is a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising one's values and the importance of staying true to one's moral compass.

3. Mohammad Samad portrayed the character of pandurang is a minor character in Tumbbad and the son of the protagonist, Despite his limited screen time, his character plays an important role in the story and highlights some of the key themes and motifs of the film. At the beginning of the film, Pandurang is portrayed as an innocent and naive child who idolises his father and dreams of following in his footsteps. He is curious and adventurous, and his interactions with Vinayak serve as a reminder of the importance of family and tradition. However, as the film progresses, Pandurang becomes increasingly aware of the dark and destructive nature of his father's obsession. He is witness to the suffering and death caused by Vinayak's greed and becomes disillusioned with his father's actions. His character represents the generational divide between tradition and modernity, and his rejection of his father's ways serves as a warning against the dangers of unchecked ambition.

4. Hastar - Hastar is the mythical god who guards the treasure in the hidden chamber. He is initially portrayed as a benevolent deity who provides wealth and prosperity to the village. Still, his character turns dark when his family betrays him. Hastar's character represents the consequences of greed and the dangers of taking more than one's fair share.

5. Anita Date-Kelkar played a fantastic role of  Vaidehi, who is Vinayak’s wife. Vaidehi is a supporting character in Tumbbad and the wife of the protagonist, Vinayak. Although her role in the film is relatively small, she plays an important part in the story and offers a unique perspective on the events that unfold. At the beginning of the film, Vaidehi is portrayed as a traditional Indian housewife who is devoted to her husband and family. She is supportive of Vinayak's ambitions and encourages him to pursue his dreams, despite the risks involved. However, as the film progresses, Vaidehi begins to question the morality of Vinayak's actions and becomes increasingly aware of the destructive nature of his obsession.

Songs

Ajay-Atul composed, arranged, and produced Tumbbad's title track, which was sung in Hindi with lyrics penned by Raj Shekhar. On October 6, 2018, it was published. Jesper Kyd composed the original music. Prasad was sampling music from various composers when he heard Kyd's soundtrack "Apocalypse" from the 2006 video game Hitman: Blood Money and chose to collaborate with him.[34] Kyd believed the Tumbbad crew desired a soundtrack that was somewhere between a western and an Indian sound.

Behind the scenes

1. The idea for Tumbbad was conceived over a decade ago by Rahi Anil Barve, inspired by Indian mythology and folklore. The story underwent several iterations and changes before being brought to the big screen.

2. The film was shot over six years, with principal photography in three different locations across India. The team faced several challenges during filming, including extreme weather conditions and logistical difficulties.

3. The film's visual effects were created by a team of over 100 artists, who worked for two years to bring the movie's fantastical elements to life. The team used a combination of practical effects and digital animation to create the film's unique and otherworldly look.

4. The film's haunting score was composed by Jesper Kyd, a renowned Danish composer who has worked on several popular video games and movies. Kyd worked closely with the filmmakers to create a score that would complement the film's eerie and unsettling tone.

5. The film was praised for its innovative storytelling and bold visual style. It won several awards, including Best Director at the Critics' Choice Film Awards and Best Special Effects at the Filmfare Awards.

6. The success of Tumbbad has led to discussions about the potential for more horror films based on Indian mythology and folklore. The filmmakers have expressed interest in exploring this genre further and bringing more unique and innovative stories to the big screen.

Overall, making Tumbbad was a challenging but rewarding process that resulted in a visually stunning and thought-provoking film. The dedication and hard work of the cast and crew paid off, as the film has become a beloved classic in the horror genre.

Controversy 

Tumbbad was a critically acclaimed film that received widespread praise for its innovative storytelling, stunning visuals, and unique approach to horror. However, the movie also generated some controversy due to its portrayal of specific cultural and religious themes.

One of the main controversies surrounding Tumbbad was its depiction of Hindu mythology and the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. Some critics and viewers felt the film disrespects Hindu beliefs and traditions, particularly by portraying the goddess as an evil force. Some religious groups even called for a ban on the film, claiming that it was offensive and disrespectful to their faith.

In response to these criticisms, the filmmakers defended their creative choices. They emphasised that the film was a work of fiction not meant to be taken as a literal representation of Hindu mythology. They argued that the film's portrayal of Lakshmi was intended to be a metaphorical exploration of the dangers of greed and obsession rather than a commentary on the goddess herself.

Despite these explanations, the controversy around Tumbbad continued to simmer, with some viewers deeply offended by the film's content. However, many others praised the film for its bold and original approach to horror and its unique exploration of cultural and religious themes.

Box Office Collection

Tumbbad had a production expenditure of 50 million rupees (US$630,000). It grossed 6.5 million (US$81,000) on its first day at the ticket office. After positive word of mouth, the picture earned 11.5 million (US$140,000) on its second day and 14.5 million (US$180,000) on its third day, totaling 32.5 million (US$410,000) during its first weekend. The film made a total of 58.5 million (US$730,000) in its first week, followed by 89.9 million (US$1.1 million) in its second week, and 101 million (US$1.3 million) in its third week. Tumbbad earned a total of 136 million (US$1.7 million) at the box office at the conclusion of its nine-week theatrical run.

Awards

Interesting facts

1. The film was shot over six years, with principal photography taking place in three different locations across India.

2. The film's stunning visual effects were created by a team of over 100 artists, who worked for two years to bring the movie's fantastical elements to life.

3. Tumbbad was inspired by Indian mythology and folklore, specifically the legend of Hastar, a malevolent deity who is said to bring misfortune to those who seek his wealth.

4. The film was praised for its innovative storytelling and bold visual style, with many critics noting its unique approach to horror and fantasy.

5. The film won several awards, including Best Director at the Critics' Choice Film Awards and Best Special Effects at the Filmfare Awards.

6. The film has been compared to other horror classics such as The Shining and Rosemary's Baby, with many critics praising its originality and bold approach to the genre.

7. Tumbbad has inspired discussions about the potential for more horror films based on Indian mythology and folklore, with some viewers hoping to see more innovative and thought-provoking stories brought to the big screen.

Conclusion 

Tumbbad is a masterpiece of Indian cinema, which blends elements of horror, fantasy, and drama into a gripping and thought-provoking story. The film is a stunning visual experience that is both haunting and beautiful, with expertly crafted special effects that bring its fantastical elements to life.

Despite generating some controversy for its portrayal of specific cultural and religious themes, Tumbbad remains a groundbreaking and thought-provoking work of cinema that deserves its place among the great horror films of all time. It is a testament to the power of creativity and storytelling and a must-watch for anyone who appreciates bold and innovative filmmaking.

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