Tumbbad” begins with a voiceover from Vinayak Rao; he is the protagonist narrating the legend of an immortal demon known as Hastar to his son, Pandurang. Hastar has long been considered the root of all evil. Mere mortals fear him as he has an insatiable appetite for human flesh; but after Vinayak finds a work-around to the same, the greedy demon also becomes the secret to his riches. He is the key to his inner-most desires and a means of satiating Vinayak’s own greed.
Thematically and visually, “Tumbbad” (also the name of the village where Vinayak’s ancestral land is located) is reminiscent of “There Will Be Blood” by Paul Thomas Anderson. The protagonists in both movies share a penchant for sullying themselves in dirt and blood. They pursue their ambitions relentlessly and attempt to get rid of their competition through vile and horrifyingly inhumane measures.
Themes We’ve Seen Before, Coupled with Eerie Storytelling
While Vinayak has been labelled as a ‘greedy bastard’ by those close to him (including his own grandmother), he is still a sympathetic figure. This comes across through his selfless affection towards his son Pandurang, even when the young boy wrongs him or disobeys his direct orders, leading to a close shave with death. Vinayak’s cold heart occasionally also thaws out to reveal a man who never leaves promises unfulfilled; he even resorts to harrowing measures to end another person’s suffering so they can be at peace.
“Tumbbad” also touches upon the use of women as pawns in men’s games, who’ve allowed their greed to grow incessantly. One example is the harsh treatment meted out towards Vinayak’s mistress, which mirrors the maltreatment of his widowed mother. This is both in terms of themes and picturisation. Both women are banished into the rain, forced to watch greedy, selfish men continue leading happy existences without them.
Greed is a Common Theme in ‘Tumbbad’
Another example is Vinayak’s grandmother, who is burdened by Hastar’s curse and forced to live a painful existence due to her husband’s greed. She is left to rot, shackled in chains. She eventually takes root as a literal tree that grows out of the ruins of the decrepit hut that Vinayak and his family once inhabited.
Greed is a theme that is omnipresent in “Tumbbad,” and it latches onto Vinayak much like a demon itself. Even when his son is born, Vinayak doesn’t waste any time. He immediately ‘annoints’ the newborn with a coin from Hastar’s treasury. This ushers in a new generation that will carry forth this legacy of greed and the callous, reckless hunger for riches and fortune.
The clever writing by Mitesh Shah, Adesh Prasad, Rahi Anil Barve, and Anand Gandhi holds one’s attention while effortlessly blending elements of ancient folklore, horror, and mystery. In fact, the storytelling instantly transports viewers to the pages of a bedtime story; it reminds one of simpler times when grandparents read similar spooky cautionary tales to their young grandchildren.
A Good Background Score and Sound
The background score by Jesper Kyd heightens the suspense and tension, albeit drowning out some dialogue occasionally. The movie doesn’t rely too often on visual jump-scares, instead utilizing sound effects to its advantage. For example, before viewers even come face-to-face with Vinayak’s ancient haggard and cannibalistic grandmother, her raspy voice and unnerving cackle are enough to send chills down one’s spine.
Last but not least, Sohum Shah as Vinayak, Dhundiraj Prabhakar Jogalekar as the younger Vinayak, and Mohammed Samad as Pandurang emote well; they stand out with their performances and the rest of the cast lends ample support in their respective roles.
Equal parts spellbinding and equal parts spooky, “Tumbbad” makes for intensely disturbing viewing. If what you seek is a horror classic that doubles as a morality tale soaked in gory imagery and gloomy visuals, “Tumbbad” is for you.
“Tumbbad” is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime and Eros Now.
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