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Tumbbad

Tumbbad is a 2018 Indian Hindi-language period folk horror film directed by Rahi Anil Barve and Anand Gandhi.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Tumbbad is a 2018 Indian Hindi-language period folk horror film directed by Rahi Anil Barve and Anand Gandhi. It stars Sohum Shah as Vinayak Rao, whose pursuit of a hidden treasure in the village of Tumbbad leads into a mythological tale about greed and a cursed deity. The film is set in Maharashtra, India, during the colonial period and around the time after Indian independence.

Premise

The film follows Vinayak Rao as he becomes obsessed with a hidden treasure connected to his ancestral history in Tumbbad. The plot links this pursuit to a mythological curse and themes of greed.

Production

Tumbbad was directed by Rahi Anil Barve and Anand Gandhi, with writing credited to Mitesh Shah, Adesh Prasad, Barve, and Gandhi. Sohum Shah is listed among the producers and also plays the lead role.

Release

The film had a theatrical release in India on 12 October 2018. Public databases also list it under Hindi-language horror, fantasy, and drama categories. The runtime is 113 minutes, or about 1 hour 53 minutes.

Themes and mythology

The story is built around a legend involving a goddess, her son Hastar, and a curse tied to worship and greed. The film uses this mythology to frame a cautionary story about obsession with wealth.

Key facts

  • Tumbbad is a 2018 Indian Hindi-language period folk horror film directed by Rahi Anil Barve and Anand Gandhi.
  • The film stars Sohum Shah as Vinayak Rao, who searches for a hidden treasure in the village of Tumbbad.
  • The story draws on Hindu mythology, including the figure of Hastar, a cursed son of a goddess.
  • The film is set during the colonial period and around the time after Indian independence.
  • It was released theatrically in India on 12 October 2018 and has a runtime of 113 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

What is Tumbbad?
Tumbbad is a 2018 Indian Hindi-language period folk horror film about a man’s search for a hidden treasure in a cursed village.
Who directed Tumbbad?
The film is directed by Rahi Anil Barve and Anand Gandhi.
Who plays the lead role in Tumbbad?
Sohum Shah plays the lead character, Vinayak Rao.
Where is Tumbbad set?
It is set in Tumbbad, a village in Maharashtra, India, during the colonial period and around the post-independence era.
What genre is Tumbbad?
It is commonly described as a horror film, with fantasy, drama, and mystery or thriller elements.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumbbad
    Supports: Basic film identification, directors, writers, lead actor, setting, and premise.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8239946/
    Supports: Plot overview, setting, mythological elements, and genre descriptors.
  3. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumbbad
    Supports: Release year, premise, setting, and mythological curse context.
  4. Moviebuff — https://www.moviebuff.com/tumbbad
    Supports: Release date, language, runtime, and genre classification.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tumbbad
    Supports: Genre, runtime, release date, director, producers, and synopsis.
  6. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQtt-_g-Evg
    Supports: Synopsis, lead actor, release timing, and critical-acclaim claim from the video description.
  7. Heaven of Horror — https://www.heavenofhorror.com/reviews/tumbbad/
    Supports: Directors, cast, and mythological premise.