Sohum Shah reacts to Tumbbad competing with Stree, Munjya franchise: ‘They are not making dadi-nani ki kahaniyaan’

admin August 29, 2023

Indian cinema, over the past few years, has witnessed a significant evolution in the horror genre, breaking away from traditional formulas and embracing new, innovative storytelling techniques. Among the many films that have redefined horror in Indian cinema, Tumbbad (2018), Stree (2018), and the emerging Munjya franchise have stood out for their unique approaches. Recently, actor-producer Sohum Shah, who gained widespread acclaim for his role in Tumbbad, shared his thoughts on the comparison of his film with Stree and the Munjya franchise. His candid remarks about the distinction between these films and Tumbbad’s legacy shed light on the evolution of horror narratives in India. In this article, we will explore the essence of Shah’s reaction, delve deeper into the comparison between Tumbbad, Stree, and Munjya, and analyze the larger implications of this shift in Indian horror cinema. We’ll also examine how Tumbbad’s influence continues to resonate, even as new films in the horror-comedy genre take center stage. Released in 2018, Tumbbad was a breath of fresh air in the Indian horror scene, a genre that had been dominated for decades by formulaic ghost stories, jump scares, and supernatural entities. Directed by Rahi Anil Barve and produced by Sohum Shah, the film is a period horror that revolves around a cursed treasure in the mystical village of Tumbbad. The film’s atmospheric tension, folklore-based narrative, and impeccable production values set it apart from most Indian horror films. Tumbbad not only terrified its audience but also invited them to reflect on themes of greed, legacy, and human suffering. Sohum Shah, who portrayed the protagonist Vinayak Rao, received critical acclaim for his performance. His dedication to the project was evident—Shah spent over six years working on the film, from production delays to reshooting significant portions. The film, once considered a risk for its unconventional storyline and dark tone, became a cult classic, earning praise both domestically and internationally. In the same year, Stree, a horror-comedy starring Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, and Pankaj Tripathi, was released. Directed by Amar Kaushik and produced by Dinesh Vijan, the film was based on an urban legend about a female spirit who abducts men at night. However, Stree turned this narrative on its head, blending humor with scares in a way that resonated with the Indian audience. The film was a massive success at the box office, spawning a new wave of interest in horror-comedy. Unlike Tumbbad, Stree adopted a lighter tone, interspersing its horror elements with moments of levity, witty dialogues, and memorable characters. Its success was driven not only by its novel take on horror but also by its ability to engage a wider audience, making it accessible to viewers who might not traditionally gravitate towards the horror genre. Following the success of Stree, there has been a surge in horror-comedy films in Bollywood, with the most notable being the Munjya franchise, which takes inspiration from regional folklore and legends. Like Stree, the Munjya films play with supernatural elements but in a comedic context, making them palatable for mainstream audiences. While these films have been commercially successful, they lean heavily towards entertainment, often prioritizing humor over the depth of horror or the thematic richness seen in films like Tumbbad.

In a recent interview, Sohum Shah was asked about the comparison between Tumbbad and films like Stree and the Munjya franchise. Shah’s response was both insightful and revealing. He acknowledged the success of these films but was quick to emphasize that they were fundamentally different from Tumbbad. Shah pointed out that films like Stree and Munjya cater to a more mainstream audience with their blend of comedy and horror, whereas Tumbbad is rooted in folklore and the kind of stories that were once passed down by grandmothers and elders—referred to as “dadi-nani ki kahaniyaan.” This distinction, according to Shah, is critical to understanding why Tumbbad stands apart from other horror films in recent Indian cinema. “They are not making dadi-nani ki kahaniyaan,” Shah remarked, referring to the lack of depth and folklore in the newer horror-comedy films. His statement reflects his belief that Tumbbad taps into a deeper, more traditional form of storytelling, one that is intrinsically connected to Indian folklore and the oral traditions that have shaped the country’s cultural landscape. By contrast, films like Stree and Munjya prioritize entertainment, often sidelining the darker, more introspective themes that Tumbbad explored. What sets Tumbbad apart, as Shah suggests, is its connection to folklore. Indian folklore is vast and varied, filled with tales of gods, demons, curses, and supernatural beings. These stories, often passed down orally, were not just meant to entertain but also to impart moral lessons or explain the mysteries of the world. Tumbbad’s story of the greed-fueled quest for a cursed treasure is deeply rooted in this tradition. Its haunting visuals and eerie atmosphere evoke the feeling of listening to an ancient legend, told in the hushed tones of a grandparent by the fire. On the other hand, films like Stree and Munjya draw inspiration from modern urban legends and regional myths but present them in a way that is more accessible and humorous. While these films do incorporate elements of folklore, they do so with a lighter touch, often focusing on entertainment rather than evoking the deep-seated fears and mysteries that folklore can invoke. One of the reasons why films like Stree and Munjya have garnered widespread popularity is their commercial appeal. Horror-comedies are easier to market and have a broader appeal, attracting both fans of the horror genre and those looking for light-hearted entertainment. The success of these films has, in turn, encouraged filmmakers to produce more in the same vein, leading to the emergence of a distinct subgenre within Indian horror. Tumbbad, by contrast, was never intended to be a mainstream blockbuster. Its dark themes, slow-burning narrative, and unsettling atmosphere made it a niche film, one that appealed to cinephiles and horror enthusiasts rather than the general public.