In the realm of horror comedies, where films like Stree and Bhediya have managed to balance frights with laughs, the latest entrant, Munjya, directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, falls short. Despite an intriguing premise rooted in Marathi folklore, the film struggles to deliver both fronts of horror and comedy.
Munjya Movie Review: Plot Overview
Munjya begins in 1952, with a young Brahmin boy named Goya who desires to marry Munni, seven years his senior. Defying his family’s disapproval, Goya performs forbidden rituals in the jungle, leading to his tragic demise. His spirit is buried under a tree, setting the stage for the supernatural elements to follow.
In present-day Pune, we meet Bittu (Abhay Verma), a geeky college student working at a salon with his mother Pammi (Mona Singh). Bittu harbors feelings for his childhood friend Bella (Sharvari), but her relationship with an Englishman, Kuba, keeps him from confessing. Bittu is plagued by nightmares and haunted by the spirit of Munjya, leading him to uncover buried family secrets when he visits their ancestral village. Here, the legend of Munjya, a spirit dwelling in the peepal trees, unfolds in a mix of humorous and eerie encounters.
Munjya Movie Review: What Works, What Doesn’t
At its core, Munjya taps into the rich tapestry of Marathi folklore, introducing audiences to the child demon Munjya, believed to haunt the Konkan region. The film attempts to blend horror with comedy, but the execution leaves much to be desired. The CGI depiction of Munjya, while visually interesting, cannot instill genuine fear. The humor, though present, often overshadows the intended scares, making the film more of a comedy with supernatural elements rather than a balanced horror-comedy.
The screenplay by Niren Bhatt, based on a story by Yogesh Chandekar, starts strong with a fast-paced and engaging first half. However, the second half, though maintaining the pace, fails to deliver the cohesiveness needed to tie the narrative threads together compellingly. Saurabh Goswami’s cinematography deserves special mention, particularly for its atmospheric shots of the village and the hauntingly beautiful scenes around the peepal tree and beach.
Munjya Movie Review: Actors’ Performance
Abhay Verma brings a believable blend of fear and determination to his role as Bittu, navigating the film’s tonal shifts with ease. The chemistry between Bittu and the CGI Munjya, though sometimes unsettling, adds a unique dynamic to the story. Mona Singh stands out as Pammi, her comic timing and protective maternal instincts adding depth to her character. Suhas Joshi, as the grandmother, delivers a heartwarming performance, particularly in her interactions with Verma.
Sharvari’s portrayal of Bella starts understated, only finding its footing in the latter half of the film. Taran Singh as Diljit provides comic relief, while S. Sathyaraj’s caricatured portrayal of exorcist Elvis Karim Prabhakar, though over-the-top, contributes to the film’s lighter moments.
Munjya Movie Review: Final Words
Munjya offers an amalgamation of love, obsession, possession, and black magic, wrapped in a supernatural package. However, it doesn’t quite hit the mark as a horror comedy. While it brings some fresh elements to the genre, it often falls back on clichéd jump scares and predictable humor. The film concludes with a nod to its predecessors in the horror comedy universe, hinting at future connections.
For those seeking a light-hearted supernatural tale with some laughs, Munjya may suffice. But for enthusiasts of horror-comedy looking for a perfect blend of chills and chuckles, this film might leave much to be desired. The end credits scene, with its song and surprise reveal, adds a fun twist, leaving audiences with a sense of nostalgia and curiosity about what’s next in this cinematic universe.
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