Munjya is the latest venture from Maddock Films, a production house renowned for its successful horror-comedies like Stree and Bhediya. Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, Munjya offers a unique blend of comedy and horror, featuring performances by Sharvari Wagh, Abhay Verma, and Mona Singh. The film draws inspiration from Marathi folklore, promising a mix of laughter and scares.
Title: Munjya
Director: Aditya Sarpotdar
Cast: Abhay Verma, Sharvari Wagh, Mona Singh, Suhas Joshi, Taran Singh
Production House: Maddock Films
Release Date: June 7, 2024
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
Overview:
Plot Summary: Munjya Movie
The film’s plot revolves around Bittu (Abhay Verma), a timid young man from Pune who visits his ancestral village, only to uncover a haunting family secret. The secret involves a vengeful spirit named Munjya, rooted deeply in Marathi folklore. According to the lore, Munjya is the spirit of a man who died between his Upanayan (Munja) ceremony, which marks the beginning of student life, and his Sod Munja ceremony, which marks the transition to householder life.
Munjas are spirits believed to dwell in peepal trees or near wells. They are the souls of men who died young, often between important life ceremonies, making them both childlike and monstrous. The Munjya spirit is known for causing trouble to fulfill its unfulfilled desires, especially fixating on marriage. The film follows Bittu’s struggle to protect himself and his love interest (Sharvari Wagh) from the Munjya, leading to a series of humorous and terrifying events as the community works to return the spirit to its resting place.
Character Performances:
Abhay Verma as Bittu: Munjya
Verma portrays Bittu with a blend of innocence and bravery, transforming from a shy boy into a courageous young man. Although his character could have been further developed with more nuanced dialogue, Verma’s performance remains engaging and heartfelt.
Sharvari Wagh: Munjya
As Bittu’s love interest, Sharvari Wagh adds depth to the film with her multifaceted performance. She brings a delightful mix of romance and tension to the storyline, enriching the narrative.
Mona Singh:
Singh stands out as a strong, independent woman who fights for her rights. Her impeccable comedic timing and powerful portrayal add significant weight to the story, making her one of the film’s highlights.
Suhas Joshi:
Playing Ajji, Bittu’s supportive grandmother, Joshi delivers a heartwarming performance that adds emotional depth and motivation to Bittu’s journey. Her sweet and powerful portrayal captivates the audience.
Taran Singh:
Despite limited screen time, Singh’s portrayal of Spielberg, Bittu’s cousin, is memorable. His comedic delivery and timing provide much-needed humor and levity to the film.
Direction and Technical Aspects:
Director Aditya Sarpotdar skillfully brings the folklore of Munjya to life, creating a film that appeals to fans of light-hearted horror-comedies. The movie features well-executed jump scares, thrilling action sequences, and impressive visual effects. The VFX team deserves special recognition for their work on the Munjya spirit, which is crafted with distinct personality and detail, enhancing the overall impact of the film.
The musical score and sound design, handled by Sachin Sanghvi and Jigar Saraiya, play a crucial role in maintaining the film’s energy and atmosphere. Their contributions help deliver an immersive cinematic experience, capturing the essence of the film’s setting and supernatural elements.
Critique:
While Munjya excels in its comedic elements, the horror aspect sometimes falls short. The Munjya character, though well-crafted, could have been more menacing to heighten the tension. Additionally, the dialogue could have been more eccentric to further develop the characters and showcase the actors’ abilities.
Some sequences in the film feel repetitive, which can diminish the excitement and thrill. However, the film’s strengths in humor, character performances, and visual effects make up for these shortcomings, ensuring it remains an engaging and entertaining watch.
Munjya is an entertaining blend of comedy and horror that offers a fun and thrilling experience. Although it may not be as impactful as Stree, it promises to entertain, especially for those who enjoy a mix of humor and scares. With a runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes, Munjya is now showing in theaters and is a refreshing addition to the summer movie lineup.
Final call
Munjya demonstrates Maddock Films’ ability to innovate within the horror-comedy genre. With strong performances, especially by Mona Singh and Suhas Joshi, and a unique storyline, it’s a worthwhile watch for fans of supernatural comedies. The film adds another quirky tale to Bollywood’s growing list of horror comedies, showcasing the potential of folklore-inspired storytelling.
watch trailer here
Upcoming Horror Movies of 2024
The Exorcism – June 7, 2024
Russell Crowe returns to the horror genre with **The Exorcism**. Following his performance in last year’s *The Pope’s Exorcist*, Crowe takes on the role of a troubled actor who starts to unravel while filming a supernatural horror movie. His daughter’s suspicions of an exorcism add to the film’s eerie atmosphere.
The Watchers – June 7, 2024
Ishana Night Shyamalan, daughter of M. Night Shyamalan, makes her directorial debut with **The Watchers**. Dakota Fanning stars as an artist stranded in a vast forest in western Ireland, where she and three strangers are stalked by mysterious creatures at night. Ishana wrote the film, based on A.M. Shine’s novel, with her father producing and New Line Cinema backing the project after a competitive bidding war.
A Quiet Place: Day One – June 28, 2024
John Krasinski’s **A Quiet Place: Day One** delves into the origins of the alien invasion that forces humanity into silence. Directed by Michael Sarnoski, known for *Pig*, this standalone spinoff promises to expand the *Quiet Place* universe. Fans can look forward to another core franchise installment, which is currently in development.
MaXXXIne – July 5, 2024
**MaXXXIne**, the follow-up to Ti West’s *X* and *Pearl*, continues Maxine’s (Mia Goth) journey in 1980s Los Angeles. Pursuing her dream of stardom, Maxine must evade a notorious serial killer, The Night Stalker. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Lily Collins, Halsey, Giancarlo Esposito, and Kevin Bacon.
Longlegs – July 12, 2024
**Longlegs** features Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage in a stylish yet horrifying tale set in 1974. Monroe plays an FBI agent tasked with capturing a serial killer (Cage). As she delves deeper into the case, she discovers a personal connection to the murderer that becomes crucial in stopping him.
Cuckoo – August 2, 2024
Hunter Schafer stars in **Cuckoo**, a horror film about a teenager who moves with her family to a resort, only to uncover hidden terrors. Co-starring Dan Stevens and Jessica Henwick, *Cuckoo* is set to premiere at South by Southwest before its theatrical release.
Trap – August 9, 2024
M. Night Shyamalan’s **Trap** is a psychological thriller set during a pop concert by fictional artist Lady Raven. Starring Josh Hartnett and Hayley Mills, the film follows a father and daughter as they face horrifying events at the concert. This marks Shyamalan’s return to Warner Bros. after a series of collaborations with Universal.
Alien: Romulus – August 16, 2024
Directed by Fede Alvarez of *Don’t Breathe* fame, **Alien: Romulus** is a standalone entry in the *Alien* franchise. While plot details remain scarce, the film stars Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced, and Archie Renaux. Early feedback from original *Alien* director Ridley Scott is highly positive, raising excitement for this installment.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice – September 6, 2024
Tim Burton’s 1988 classic gets a sequel with **Beetlejuice Beetlejuice**. Michael Keaton reprises his role as Beetlejuice, joined by returning cast members Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara, along with new additions Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe. Filming wrapped in late November, setting the stage for a spooky season release.
These upcoming horror films promise a mix of chills, thrills, and star power, making 2024 an exciting year for horror enthusiasts.