Tumbbad (2018)

🧠 My Thoughts and Feelings:

Watching Tumbbad at 11 kilometers high during a flight was mesmerizing — and rewatching it again on TV confirmed that this film is truly timeless.

The backdrop of Tumbbad village — always raining, muddy, and mysterious — under British colonial poverty, sets an unforgettable atmosphere.
Sohum Shah was outstanding in his portrayal — from a vulnerable boy, a desperate man, to a prisoner of his own greed.

The mythological backstory — the Goddess of Prosperity, her forbidden son Hastar, and the cursed womb — felt ancient, believable, and deeply rooted in Indian storytelling traditions.

The journey from childhood innocence to adult ambition is beautifully told — courage, attachment to his mother and grandmother, and the chilling encounters with the demonic Hastar are both horrifying and heartbreaking.

Adding layers to the story — the wife, the mistress, the son’s role — all made the narrative even richer.

In my view, creating truly good horror is difficult anywhere in the world — but Tumbbad succeeded in blending horror, fantasy, and tragedy superbly.

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🌟 Highlights:
•Acting: Sohum Shah’s powerful, grounded performance.
•Direction & Writing: Atmospheric, poetic, deeply mythological storytelling.
•Cinematography: Stunning visuals — rain-drenched landscapes, dark wombs, eerie homes.
•Sound & Music: Deeply haunting background score.
•Mythological Horror: A fresh, original Indian myth — rare and unforgettable.

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🚫 Lowlights:
•Some might find the slow-burn pace difficult if expecting jumpscares (but true horror fans will appreciate it).
•The ending leaves room for personal interpretation, which might not satisfy everyone expecting clear closure.

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🎯 Final Verdict:

Tumbbad is a masterpiece of Indian horror-fantasy, weaving mythology, greed, and human weakness into a dark, unforgettable fairy tale.
It stands tall among the best horror films worldwide — not just in Hindi cinema.