Renowned filmmaker Rahi Anil Barve has officially announced that he will not be returning to direct the sequel of his critically acclaimed film ‘Tumbbad’. This revelation comes shortly after lead actor and producer Sohum Shah shared the news about the continuation of the beloved franchise.
Barve’s comments were made public following the re-release of ‘Tumbbad’ in theaters on September 13, 2024, an event eagerly awaited by fans and critics alike. Originally released in 2018, ‘Tumbbad’ has been celebrated for its unique storytelling and atmospheric horror, earning its place as a cult favorite in Indian cinema.
The filmmaker disclosed that he has been immersed in an ambitious trilogy project that started with ‘Tumbbad’ and will be followed by ‘Pahadpangira’ and ‘Pakshitirtha’. Reflecting on his vision, Barve elaborated on the thematic explorations of each film. “For decades, I worked on this insane trilogy with many producers changing in between. First was the greed of patriarchy. My personal and much darker version of father, son, and the holy ghost,” he noted in a recent social media post. He further explained, “The second deals with the dawn of feminism and holier-than-holy Sati Pratha – ‘Pahadpangira’. The third, and the end of this trilogy, will be ‘Pakshitirtha’. That’s all I have to say for now.”
The director also extended his best wishes to Sohum Shah and co-director Adesh Prasad, who will be taking up the mantle for the sequel. “I wish Sohum and Aadesh all the best for ‘Tumbbad II’; I have no doubt it will be an outstanding success,” Barve expressed optimistically. Sohum Shah responded to Barve’s announcement with warm encouragement and congratulations for Barve’s upcoming projects. “Congratulations mere bhai for Gulkanda and Raktabrahmand; aur jaldi se shuru kar de Pahadpangira. Maza aayega (sic),” wrote Shah, hinting at the excitement within the fraternity for Barve’s future works.
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Barve responded appreciatively, saying, “I am always there for you. Thanks for everything,” to which Shah replied, “Likewise”. This exchange reflects the mutual respect and camaraderie between the two creative forces behind ‘Tumbbad’.
In his post, Barve also mentioned his future production plans, revealing that he aims to commence work on ‘Pahadpangira’ by March 2025. This will follow his completion of current projects ‘Gulkanda Tales’ and ‘Raktabramhand’. These forthcoming films promise to delve even deeper into the complex themes and dark narratives that have become Barve’s signature style.
Set in a quaint village in Maharashtra, ‘Tumbbad’ tells the compelling story of Vinayak Rao, played by Sohum Shah, who spirals into greed and obsession in his quest for a mythical treasure guarded by the malevolent entity known as Hastar. The film’s eerily captivating narrative and stunning visual storytelling have garnered it considerable acclaim.
The re-release of ‘Tumbbad’ has struck a chord with audiences once again, amassing a domestic box office collection of Rs 13.44 crore net by Friday. This figure has surpassed its original collection from 2018, indicating the film’s lasting impact and renewed interest among moviegoers.
For fans of ‘Tumbbad’ and Barve’s distinctive cinematic vision, the follow-up projects promise to deliver the intricate, dark narratives they have come to love. As Barve steps away to focus on his trilogy, the anticipation for ‘Tumbbad II’ remains high, with hopes that it will live up to the legacy of its predecessor. Meanwhile, eyes will also be keenly watching the development of ‘Pahadpangira’ and ‘Pakshitirtha’, eager to see where Barve’s unique storytelling journey will lead next.
With ‘Tumbbad’s’ re-release rekindling interest and setting the stage for thrilling new chapters in Barve’s creative journey, it is an exciting time for aficionados of innovative and thought-provoking cinema. The continued collaboration between Sohum Shah and Adesh Prasad on ‘Tumbbad II’ promises to respect the foundation laid by Barve while potentially bringing new dimensions to the haunted world of Tumbbad.
