I have already written an answer on Tumbbad and I am writing it again here because I feel this movie deserves everyone's attention: Can you name some movies which could not make much impact on box office but are worth watching

When this movie came out on a digital platform everyone went mad about this film. From critics to the audience everyone loved it. This movie is a path-breaking movie in the history of Indian cinema, it gave birth to a new genre, a new kind of cinema for the Indian audience. I feel this is the best horror-thriller India has ever produced. It took 6 years to make this film and each frame of this film proves why it took a lot of effort to make this film. I am talking about Tumbbad (2018). Let me breakdown each aspect of this film and give you more insights about the film:

Story and Screenplay

I hope you remember your childhood when your grandma or your grandpa use to tell you some amazing tales. Some tales use to be funny and some use to be scary but in the end, it leaves you with a beautiful message and it teaches you a life lesson. This is what Tummbad's story is all about. A scary and very well written story that leaves an impact on you and gives a hard-hitting life lesson. The screenplay is beautifully crafted. It starts with Vinayak’s(protagonist) childhood and then it shows the Vinayak’s life journey played by Sohum Shah.

Actually it is a mythological story about a goddess who created the entire universe. The plot revolves around the consequences when humans build a temple for her first-born. Her firstborn is Hastar which is nothing less than a monster. He stays in the womb of the goddess and possesses an unlimited source of gold and the womb of the goddess is an old temple. Vinayak wants to get that gold and decided to go to the womb. It’s a story of greed and how Vinayak gets hold of Hastar. Isn’t it fascinating? I will give full marks to the story and to the screenplay.

Direction

This movie is directed by Rahi Anil Barve and Anand Gandhi. Both are new directors but they have done a commendable job. The other day I was watching the making of Tumbbad and I was shocked seeing how precisely they have directed each and every frame. I mean this movie has a dark theme and to keep that essence they use to shot in the evening only when either it’s cloudy or it’s raining.

They have shot over a period of 2–3 years, just because they wanted to capture the real rain during monsoons. The way they have portrayed the temple, the village, the pre-independence India and especially Vinayak and Hastar character, they deserve a salute. Not even for a second, you will feel that this movie is directed by some newbie. Such a complex project but still they have done full justice to it.

Acting

I think most of the actors working in this movie are new but they have done an amazing job. I guess makers took new people to reduce the budget of the project. But they have taken good talented people. Each character will leave a mark on your mind. Hastar is a 3D CGI character so I can’t comment on that. But I would especially like to mention the name of Sohum Shah. He is playing the character of grown-up Vinayak and he nailed it. It was a treat watching him, you can literally see greed he possesses for gold coins through his eyes.

A few years back he left his well-settled real state business to accomplish his acting dream. He gave a good performance in Ship of Theseus but in Tumbaad, he showed his true colors that how capable he is. He gave a performance that will establish his name in the leagues of actors like Rajkumar, Pankaj Tripathi, Nawaz, Sanjay Mishra, etc. I wish he gets more work and we get more chances to see him on the screen. He is the producer of this film and it shows his great creativity sense too.

Music and Background score

The movie has a Marathi backdrop and it needed someone who knows Marathi music very well. So, the makers got Ajay-Atul on board and we all know how good they are with there Marathi music sense. The movie has only a few full-fledged songs and they gelled properly with its dark theme. More than the music this movie needed a solid background score and this movie really shines in that department. Tumbbad ’s title song is my favorite.

Jesper Kyd is the brainchild behind the background score for this film. Those who don't know about him, he is the man who has given the background score of legendary games like Hitman and Assassin Creed. He is really good at his work and he is famous all over the globe for his dark-themed music. His background music has taken this movie to new heights and it plays a crucial role to set the atmosphere of this film. BG score is mind-blowing.

VFX and other technical aspects

Tumbbad is a low budget film but trust me it shines in every technical aspect. The camera work is amazing, the sets and the costumes are designed so well that it makes you believe that you in the pre-independence era. You won’t believe but to make the temple look really old the makers have grown real moss on the walls. I mean they have given importance to the smallest details. VFX is not as per Hollywood level but it is praiseworthy. Overall a very technically rich film.

Final Verdict

This movie proves that India can also make good horror thrillers. This movie is a treat to watch and every Indian should watch this. It has now set standards for Indian horror films. You will be amazed seeing such an attempt from Indian makers. I will give 5/5 stars to this film. This movie is available on amazon prime. I too watched it on prime and felt bad that I missed an opportunity to see such a nice movie in the theater.

Thank you so much for your time. Keep reading & Keep Learning.

Source: I have already written an answer on Tumbbad and I am writing it again here because I feel this movie deserves everyone's attention: Can you name some movies which could not make much impact on box office but are worth watching?: