Tag: Munjya

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2024 the domination of horror: An overview into how the likes of Shaitaan, Munjya and Stree 2 have successfully spooked the audiences bringing in solid numbers

Shaitaan movie image

Munjya movie image

Stree 2 movie image

Unlike 2023 predominantly dominated by action movies with larger-than-life heroes this year has seen the horror genre ruling the roost. Horror stories of different kinds have entertained the viewers proving to be very profitable for the producers. The genre of horror isn’t something new. The banner of Vishesh films at their prime had made movies involving ghosts, the cast always used to be relatively new. Case in point being the first Raaz featuring Bipasha Basu. Noted filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma too has made impactful horror movies like Urmila Matondkar’s Bhoot. Bhoot is rightly considered to be one of Urmila’s most impactful performances till date. The movie even now sends a chill down the viewers spine.

Bhoot is rightly considered to be one of Urmila’s best performances till date

The likes of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Golmaal Again too have elements of spookiness particularly the first one directed by Anees Bazmee. However, the spooky elements here are mixed with slapstick or situational humor. Then you have Rahi Anil Barve’s gripping psychological horror thriller Tumbbad. The horror in this movie comes more from the director’s portrayal of human greed rather than the supernatural entity.

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 directed by Anees Bazmee

The horror in Tumbbad comes more from the director’s portrayal of human greed rather than the supernatural entity

Coming to this year’s horror films the first one Shaitaan uses elements of a home invasion thriller where the protagonists in this case the father and mother have to save the children from a highly dangerous tormentor. R Madhavan in a delightfully deranged performance is the expert hypnotist with knowledge of black magic. The daughter Jahnavi played a brilliant Janki Bodiwala is under absolute control, doing everything he says. The storyline of Shaitaan is paper thin but the way Vikas Bahl build an effective atmosphere of dread engrossed the audiences thoroughly. Amit Trivedi’s background music coupled with Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti’s cinematography also made the movie gripping. Unlike most horror movies here thankfully the typical cliches of creaking doors are absent, instead the terror comes from R Madhavan’s sinister plans of wanting to control young women.

R Madhavan in a delightfully deranged performance

Next in the list are Munjya and Stree 2 both from the same production house Maddock. Both these movies feature grotesque demons. In the case of Stree 2 you have a headless creature whose target are young girls with modern outlook. In the case of Munjya the antagonist is a young Brahmin boy, he resorts to black magic to win over a girl named Munni. He also tries to sacrifice the life of his sister, but this only results in self-destruction. He becomes a restless spirit haunting the tree. Both movies have a folklore touch apart from impactful social commentary. Stree 2 like the first one is also set in the small town of Chanderi. Munjya on the other hand is set in the backdrop of a Konkan folklore.

Both Munjya and Stree 2 feature grotesque demons

A strong aspect of Munjya was the characterization of the leading man Bittu played by Abhay Varma. Bittu starts off as someone who is majorly underconfident and definitely not the type who would defeat the evil Munjya. However, we slowly seen him overcoming the inner fears. The profession of Bittu being a hairdresser also added an interesting layer. Sharvari Wagh played Bittu’s friend Bella. Bittu deeply loves Bella, but he never confesses. She is already in a relationship with an English man but isn’t very sure on marrying him. She has major career aspirations regarding Zumba dance.

Bittu starts off as someone who is majorly underconfident and definitely not the type who would defeat the evil Munjya

The interesting aspect here is that though Munjya and Bittu come from the same lineage their attitudes are as different as chalk and cheese. Bittu respects Bella’s career aspirations and never tries to force himself on her in spite of having a close proximity. This particular aspect stood out in the movie. The humor in this movie apart from the interactions between Bittu and Munjya also comes from Baahubali actor S. Sathyaraj he played a baba, but it isn’t the usual intense one. There is a whacky nature to the role which the actor pulled off successfully.

Finally, there is the mega hit Stree 2 which has broken quite a lot of records. Squeals are always a very tricky territory but Aamir Kaushik’s Stree 2 more than lived up to its prerelease buzz. It was a rollicking sequel generating both laughs and scares in equal measure. The movie also had a good blend of social commentary through the characterization of the headless Sarkate. He represents your every sexist leader who are uncomfortable with the thought process of a modern woman.

All these elements came across in a satisfying manner making it a monstrous hit. The trio of Rajkummar Rao, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee and Pankaj Tripathi were in splendid form shouldering the acting department with utmost ease. One of the most hilarious scenes in Stree 2 is the one involving Varun Dhawan’s Bhediya and Abhishek Banerjee as Bhediya aka Bhaskar’s cousin. Varun’s character gets attracted to Shraddha and asks Abhishek how to impress her. In response Abhishek says that you are a Bhediya remain like that and don’t become an animal.

This list is by no means complete as the genre of horror will continue to be explored with different backgrounds. This Diwali there is Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 which will further explore the journey of Kartik Aryan’s Rooh Baba/ Ruhaan Randhawa. Tumbbad 2 has also been announced by Sohum Shah who was both the leading man and also producer for the first part.

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Munjya: A worthy addition to Maddock horror universe

Director Aditya Sarpotdar does a fine job in weaving a social message like the previous Maddock productions, Stree films and Bhediya. Here it is about consent in love.

Munjya streaming on Disney+ Hotstar is set in the backdrop of a Konkan folklore, year 1952. A young Brahmin boy Gotya is adamant on marrying a girl named Munni. He mistakes obsession for love, Munni’s marriage is fixed to another man leaving Gotya enraged. He makes an unsuccessful attempt to poison Munni’s fiancé in a fit of anger. The mother scolds him but Gotya is no mood to pay heed. He resorts to black magic in order to win Munni’s heart, this includes an attempt to sacrifice the life of his sister Gita (Khushi Hajare plays the young version). However, this only leads to self-destruction. Gotya turns into a restless spirit Munjya haunting the tree; he had died within 10 days of thread ceremony. Fast forward to the present Gotya aka Munjya latches on to the family’s descendent Bittu (Abhay Verma), using him as a facilitator to fulfil the wishes of marrying Munni. In a strange turn of events Munjya becomes bestowed with Bittu’s love Bela (Sharvari Wagh). Bela considers Bittu her best friend, she is already in relationship with an English man Cuba (Richard Lovatt) but isn’t very sure on marrying him. Bela has major career aspirations regarding Zumba dance. Bittu deeply loves Bela, but he doesn’t confess. This is the story in brief.

Munjya latches on to his family descendent Bittu (Abhay Verma)

A strong aspect of Munjya is the characterization of Bittu. Bittu starts off as an underconfident guy, he hardly comes across a hero who would defeat the wicked Munjya but as the movie progresses, we seem him gradually overcoming inner fears. Bittu desires to be a hairdresser adding an interesting layer. Additionally, Bittu respects Bella’s professional aspirations and never makes a move on Bela in spite of their close proximity.

There is a scene in the pre- climax where Bittu finally reveals his feelings. Bella replies that too much is going on in her life and she has no intentions of getting into a committed relationship at this point. Bittu replies that it is fine adding that he is not a Munjya who is going to make her life hell. The stark difference in behaviors in spite of the same lineage is the essence of this Aditya Sarpotdar’s directorial.

Bittu’s imagination

Munjya also benefits from the strong characterizations of Mona Singh and Suhas Joshi playing the mother and grandmother respectively. Mona Singh plays a fiery single mother never backing down from taking a stand for herself and the son. Suhas Joshi on the other hand is the sweet and adorable grandmother. She is an important source of motivation for Bittu in the battle with Munjya. Both the women are a delight to watch. Sharvari Wagh as Bella is also good particularly in the scenes where Munjya enters her body. She has a bubbly presence that goes with the role. Her dance moves in the end credit song Taras are quite fluid and she looks hot as well.

Sharvari Wagh in Taras

Bahubali actor S Sathyaraj plays a baba known for getting rid of spirits thankfully the characterization doesn’t follow the usual intense route. There is an absurdity to the character which Sathyaraj pulls off well. As Bittu Abhay Varma does a fine job in bringing out both the fearful nature and also the eventual transformation. His chemistry with the CGI generated Munjya has a good mix of scares and funny moments.

Satyaraj in Munjya

Special mention must be also made of the cinematography department. Saurabh Goswami does an excellent job of capturing the dread amidst the lush greenery. The VFX artists have also done a fine job in creating a scary villain however it has to be said that Munjya’s thick voice does get irritating at some points. Also, the styling of both Munjya and Bittu has a Harry Potter hangover which the movie could have done away with. The film pretty much follows the standard template of a horror movie and there is nothing unpredictable particularly for those who have grown on this genre. But all said and done Munjya is a worthy addition to this growing horror universe.