Tumbbad’s resurgence: A cult classic finds new life
A second chance at the box office
The 2018 Indian horror film Tumbbad has experienced a remarkable resurgence, grossing $1.5 million in its 2024 re-release in India. This new wave of success is a stark contrast to its initial $2 million global haul six years ago, breathing fresh energy into what has become a cult favorite.
The story behind Tumbbad
Tumbbad follows the tale of a greedy village boy in pursuit of a cursed ancestral treasure guarded by the devil. The film was the first Indian movie to open the Venice Critics’ Week in 2018 and went on to win numerous awards, including accolades at Sitges. This India-Sweden co-production was shot over four monsoon seasons and took six years to complete, a testament to the dedication and vision of its creators.
Sequel in the works
Actor-producer Sohum Shah has confirmed that a sequel is in development, with production set to begin in 2025. “The script is ready; it took us six years to perfect it,” Shah revealed. “We cracked the idea with massive difficulty to ensure it does justice to Tumbbad‘s world.”
While co-director Rahi Anil Barve won’t be returning for the sequel due to other commitments, Adesh Prasad, who co-directed the original Tumbbad, is set to helm the new installment. “Rahi won’t be a part of Tumbbad 2 as much as we’d love it. He has some fantastic work that is coming up and has a jam-packed schedule. I am super excited for the world to see his work,” Shah said.
Challenges and triumphs
Shah elaborated on the challenges of developing the sequel: “A lot of people – fans, friends, peers, colleagues included – would keep telling me to make Tumbbad 2, but I was certain that if we don’t crack the correct idea and story – we will not do justice to this universe. Over six years – we came up with so many ideas, got excited with the vision, thought it was working and then realized it wasn’t. So we started from scratch again.”
The actor-producer is elated with the re-release’s box office performance: “The box office success tells me this film reached a wide audience. When I was making Tumbbad, it wasn’t made with the intent of creating it for OTT [streaming], back in 2012, OTTs didn’t even exist.”
The cinematic experience
“We had designed it with creating a theatrical, cinematic experience for the audiences – it is a perfect marriage,” Shah added. “The cinematography, VFX, production design, scale shots – we wanted to create a mood with this film for its audiences – so much so that when the audiences step out of the theater after watching it – they actually wonder ‘Oh it isn’t raining?'”
Barve attributes the film’s enduring appeal to its visual storytelling. “It needs to be experienced on a large screen,” Barve said. “When a significant number of the audience learned about Tumbbad via OTT, they expressed their regret of not having watched it in the cinema hall.”
Audience-driven revival
The film’s journey from its initial release to its successful rerun highlights the growing trend of audience-driven revivals in the Indian film industry. Shah noted the overwhelming response on social media: “The way the audiences have championed and become advocates for Tumbbad on social media is truly something I didn’t imagine and I’m utterly humbled by it.”
“I’ve read comments on social media where fans are talking about watching Tumbbad multiple times and regretting that they didn’t catch it in theatres back in 2018. Who would’ve thought and what better reception for the audiences can I ask for?”
A broader universe
Looking ahead, Shah envisions a broader universe for Tumbbad. “We always had one vision in mind, even when we were making the first Tumbbad, the world of Tumbbad in itself is a franchise – it’s an incredibly meaty universe. I honestly want that we make various and different types of films of the Tumbbad universe – sequel, prequel, spin-offs, reboots etc – the whole ecosystem.”
Despite the commercial success, both filmmakers remain focused on the film’s deeper themes. Barve reflected, “All I can say about Tumbbad is that it needs to be experienced in a cinema hall and that the film offers a lesson to all of us. Greed will destroy everything that is valuable to us so we need to introspect about our own desires and ambitions.”
Experience Tumbbad
For those who haven’t yet experienced this cinematic gem, you can watch the trailer for Tumbbad and immerse yourself in its hauntingly beautiful world.