Munjya Review: Abhay Verma Shines, Mona Singh And Sharvari Wagh Impress In This Gripping Folk Horror

Munjya Review: Some films ride high on emotions, and then some stories ride high on Indian culture and Hindu mythology. Maddock Films is surely managing to balance both kinds with their authenticity. The production house is creating its supernatural universe comprising horror-comedy films that are earthy and rooted in Indian folklore. These films are no less than bedtime stories coming alive. They make you believe in the magic and mystery of India’s rich mythological heritage, that blur the lines between reality and fantasy.

The film series kicked off in 2018 with the release of Stree, starring Rajkumar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor. It was then followed by Roohi in 2021, starring Janhvi Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao. The following year, 2022, Bhediya was released with Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon, where the plot draws inspiration from the Arunachal Pradesh legend of the Yapum.

Their next movie, Munjya, starring Abhay Verma, Sharvari Wagh, and Mona Singh, perfectly blends the eerie essence of horror with the rich folklore of the Konkan region. The movie draws inspiration from a spirit from the Brahmin community of Konkan, known as Brahma Rakshas. 

In the film, a dark and twisted legend comes to life as we delve into the haunting past of Bittu’s (Abhay Verma) family. Years before he was born, his great uncle, once a respected member of the Brahmin community in Konkan, transformed into a fearsome Brahma Rakshas, as he died within 10 days of his mundan ceremony. This was also triggered by his sinister desire to kill his sister, Abhay’s grandmother (Suhas Joshi), to clear his path to marry his lover, Munni, a woman seven times his age. Adding to the complexity of this tale, Abhay’s grandmother and Munni were once the closest of friends.

Bittu lives with his mom (Mona Singh) and his grandmother in Pune, far from their ancestral home in Chetukwadi, a small village in the Konkan region with a beautiful coastline. Together with his mom, he runs a salon, and they lead a happy, simple life. Things go smoothly for them until one day, they receive an invitation from their village to attend the engagement ceremony of Bittu’s cousin. Bittu’s mom, who’s reluctant and apprehensive to meet eye-to-eye with her brother-in-law, finds herself in a situation where she is bound to go with her son. Her mother-in-law also accompanies her.

As they reach Chetukwadi, they don’t really receive a warm welcome. Mona’s brother-in-law despises her, ever since his brother passed away. Amidst the heated family feud, Bittu, overwhelmed by the tension, flees their home and heads towards the coastline, once walked by his great uncle towards the banyan tree where his tragic demise occurred. There, Bittu encounters the Munjya – the spirit transformed by his great uncle’s restless soul. After a tragic incident, while Bittu gets rescued from that spot, he soon realises that the demon had hit him and marked his territory at his back. The demon who gets behind him threatens him to fulfil his one wish – to find his lover Munni and get them married.

Abhay Verma is a natural. He steps into the shoes of his character, Bittu, with a lot of conviction. In the film, he is scared and anxious with an honesty that seems so palpable that you’d empathise with him. His childlike eyes and smile light up every frame. He brings in the right sense of charm, sense and sensitivity with his on-screen persona. He carries the entire film on his shoulders effortlessly. Another amazing aspect, is Abhay’s CGI co-star, Munjya. The character is well-made. The animation is pitch-perfect for the monstrous personality he owns.

Sharvari Wagh delivers her career-best. Despite a short screen time, her commendable acting skills bring in the required depth. She portrays Bella, a character that brings in a much-needed twist for the film. I would have wanted to see more of her in the film given her potential. It’s her second big film, and she’s slowly showing her cards.

Mona Singh, as always, despite the short screen time, is real and effortless in her scenes. She has the potential to take risks and pick roles that are uncomfortable to watch and unconventional to portray. She does a splendid job on her part and has even outdone herself in some scenes.

The movie is balanced and well-paced. The 2-hour 18-minute run-time wouldn’t dread you, as the plot keeps you on the edge. The jump scares, the screams, the chase – everything feels nail-biting. The scenes are entertaining as well as eerily scary. However, one thing that did not sit right with me was the background score. In parts, the background music, attempting to sound haunting, ended up as mere noise.

All in all, Munjya beautifully draws inspiration by blending elements of horror and cultural depth to weave a story that is both enthralling and deeply rooted in Indian mythology. The movie delivers a good cinematic experience owing to its good writing and the gripping folklore. It is a clean entertainer. It has family-friendly written all over it and has all the elements of a typical commercial horror comedy. This is a must-watch for anyone interested in folklore and horror storytelling.

And yes, you do not want to miss the post-credit scene. A good watch!