MovieTimeहिन्दी
Horror · Fantasy · Drama
Tumbbad (2018)
तुम्बाड
12 Oct 2018108 minHindi
In the village of Tumbbad in Maharashtra, a greedy man named Vinayak chases a hidden ancestral treasure tied to a local myth about a covetous deity. The folk horror story follows how that single obsession shapes his choices across many years.
Editorial preview: written from official information, the trailer and public sources — not a full viewing of the film. The illustration in this article is original AI-generated artwork, not a still from the film. The poster belongs to its rights holders.
Synopsis
In the village of Tumbbad in Maharashtra, a greedy man named Vinayak chases a hidden ancestral treasure tied to a local myth about a covetous deity. The folk horror story follows how that single obsession shapes his choices across many years.
Why Tumbbad 2018 is still the horror title people search for
Tumbbad 2018 is an Indian folk horror film in Hindi (Wikipedia also lists Marathi) that premiered at the Critics' Week section of the 75th Venice International Film Festival before reaching Indian theatres on 12 October 2018. It is not a new release, so this page is a background guide for anyone about to watch it, or watch it again, rather than a first-look piece.
The story is rooted in a local myth from Tumbbad, a village in Maharashtra, about a deity associated with greed. The film's credited story source is the writer Narayan Dharap, according to the Wikipedia entry. That detail matters because it tells you the film is built on regional storytelling traditions rather than on the monster-and-jump-scare formula common in mainstream horror.
Who made it
Rahi Anil Barve is credited as director, with Anand Gandhi named as co-director on Wikipedia; other listings, such as Venice's page, credit Barve with Adesh Prasad instead, so the directing credit differs by source. Writers listed include Barve, Gandhi, Adesh Prasad and Mitesh Shah. Sohum Shah leads as Vinayak Rao and is also among the producers, alongside Aanand L. Rai, Anand Gandhi, Mukesh Shah and Amita Shah.
The score is by Jesper Kyd, and the songs are credited to Ajay-Atul. Cast lists vary between databases, so we name only those that Wikipedia lists: Anita Date-Kelkar, Ronjini Chakraborty, Deepak Damle and Mohammad Samad alongside Shah.
A long production, and what it means on screen
According to Wikipedia, filming began in 2012, but the film was rewritten and reshot before shooting finished in May 2015. It is described as shot largely in natural light with monsoon-like conditions, and as using heavy prosthetics for its main creature. Those are production facts rather than opinions, and they are a useful lens: if you watch for texture, rain, mud and dim interiors, you are watching the choices the crew reportedly made on purpose.
We have not reviewed the film here, so we make no claim about how well those choices work. Note also that sources disagree on small details, such as the budget and whether the period is described as 1918 or the nineteenth century, so treat any single figure with caution.
Where it fits in 2024 and beyond, and who it suits
Wikipedia notes a re-release in Indian theatres on 13 September 2024 and says a sequel, Tumbbad 2, was confirmed around that time. We did not find a confirmed current streaming platform in the sources we read, so check a live listing before planning a viewing; we do not want to name a service we could not verify.
The runtime is given as 108 minutes by Wikipedia and IMDb Pro, though some listings say 104, so expect roughly an hour and three-quarters. If you like slow, atmospheric horror that treats folklore as the source of dread, and you can accept a story about greed that unfolds over decades, it is a natural pick. Viewers who want constant jump scares should read about it first.
Who will enjoy Tumbbad?
- Folk-horror fans who prefer mood and myth over jump scares
- Viewers curious about Indian horror before the announced sequel
- Cinema students interested in a long, rework-heavy production
Trailer
TUMBBAD trailer | BFI London Film Festival 2018 – Trailer · Channel: BFI
Cast
- Sohum Shah Vinayak Rao
- Anita Date-Kelkar
- Ronjini Chakraborty
- Deepak Damle
- Mohammad Samad
FAQ
When was Tumbbad released and was it re-released?
Per Wikipedia it opened in Indian theatres on 12 October 2018 after its Venice Critics' Week premiere, and was re-released on 13 September 2024.
Who plays the lead in Tumbbad?
Sohum Shah plays Vinayak Rao and is also listed among the producers.
When was Tumbbad released?
Tumbbad was released on 12 Oct 2018.
Who directed Tumbbad?
Tumbbad was directed by Rahi Anil Barve.
How long is Tumbbad?
Tumbbad runs for 108 minutes.
