Tumbbad is a mishmash of multiple genres- fantasy, mythology, horror, thriller and history. It’s one of those experimental movies not a lot of people would have expected to do particularly well, but Tumbbad is sure to surprise you! Here’s our Tumbbad movie review.
Based off of a story by Marathi writer Narayan Dharap, Tumbbad follows Vinayak Rao (Sohum Shah) in his search for a hidden treasure in a village called Tumbbad in Maharashtra. We see Tumbbad in 1918; Vinayak’s mother (Jyoti Malshe) serves the local lord and a mysterious, horrific, much older woman who needs to be chained up all the time. A tragedy forces Vinayak and his mother out of Tumbbad and to Pune. Vinayak has to leave behind the treasure that is rumoured to be hidden somewhere in the mansion, but he comes back many years later. Fearless and desperate to escape his poverty-stricken state, Vinayak manages to find his way to the treasure.
Tumbbad is an atmospheric, thrilling ride through and through. What sets it apart from the numerous spine chilling films out there is the very innovative and clever way it uses the elements of a typical horror movie- plays of light and shadow, creepy music and and jump scares- to tell a story that shows how human greed is the ultimate doom, that’s where the true horror lies.
Director and writer Rahi Anil Barve tells his tale with great passion and makes Tumbbad a film not just seen, but experienced. Along with an enchanting story, Tumbbad also offers gorgeous, enchanting visuals- which is a true feat in itself, as not many horror movies manage to be aesthetically pleasing as well.
Tumbbad is primarily a plot-driven film and not a character-driven one, so most of the characters are one-note and serve only to drive the narrative forward and maintain its flow. However, the ensemble of actors all play their respective parts with utter conviction. Shah carries out the role of the shrewd, cunning Vinayak Rao flawlessly, he makes you despise his character one instant, and then sympathize with him the next, despite knowing how wretched a person he is. Mohammad Samad stands out as Rao’s son Pandurang; the innocence in his eyes and his smile balancing out his insuppressible greed at the mention of gold coins.
Wildly imaginative and refreshing, Tumbbad will stun you. Watch it for the gorgeous cinematography and the beyond incredible story that possesses the captivating qualities of the original twisted fairy tales of the brothers Grimm. You can watch Tumbbad on Amazon prime video.
