Director Rahi Anil Barve has announced his departure from the highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed folk horror film Tumbbad. On Saturday, he expressed his best wishes for the new team, which includes producer-actor Sohum Shah and co-director Adesh Prasad.
The original Tumbbad, released in 2018, made waves for its unique storytelling and visual aesthetics, ultimately grossing ₹22 crore nett at the domestic box office during its re-release, surpassing its initial earnings. The film concluded with a teaser hinting at a sequel, generating excitement among fans.
— rahi anil barve (@BarveRahi) September 21, 2024
Reflecting on his journey with Tumbbad, Rahi shared his vision for a trilogy exploring themes of patriarchy, feminism, and spirituality. He described the first film as “the greed of patriarchy,” presenting a darker interpretation of the father-son dynamic intertwined with spiritual elements. Rahi revealed his plans for the second installment, titled Pahadpangira, which will delve into the dawn of feminism and address issues surrounding the satipratha. The trilogy will culminate with Pakshitirtha.
Rahi announced plans to begin production on Pahadpangira in March 2025 after completing his current projects, including the horror comedies Gulkanda Tales and Rakht Brahmand. Despite stepping back from the sequel, he expressed unwavering support for Sohum and Adesh, stating, “I have no doubts it will be an outstanding success.”
Sohum Shah responded to Rahi’s announcement with warm wishes for his future endeavors, encouraging him to kickstart Pahadpangira soon, adding, “Jaldi Sai shuru kar de pahadpangira. Maza aayega.”
In a surprising turn of events, Anand Gandhi, the creative director of the original Tumbbad, also confirmed he would not be involved in the sequel, leaving the project entirely in the hands of the new team.
Tumbbad is set in a rain-soaked village in Maharashtra cursed with perpetual downpour. The story revolves around a father and son’s quest to retrieve a hidden treasure guarded by the demon Hastar, and it has become a landmark in Indian cinema for its innovative approach to horror.
As the new team embarks on this sequel, fans will be eager to see how they interpret and expand upon the haunting world created by Rahi Anil Barve.
