Tumbadchi Manjula Movie Review: Set against the backdrop of a rural tale, the film is populated with folklore, humour and much of a heartfelt emotion that makes Tumbadchi Manjula one of these blockbusters that truly gets its audience. The film is the official Marathi remake of the Kannada film Su From So which has already garnered appreciation. I had seen both versions, I approached this version with the curiosity of seeing how well the Marathi filmmakers could re-imagine the story in their own cultural context rather than it being a curiosity of the twists and turns of the storyline.
The plot follows the life of Keshav, who finds himself the subject of rumours in his small village that he has been afflicted by an unknown spirit Manjula. The main enigma plays an important role in keeping the story interesting as villagers speculate on whether it is a supernatural being or something else altogether. I liked the lack of gimmicks and gore in the movie the most. Well, a horror story is not exactly what one would expect from Tumbadchi Manjula. Rather, it establishes a unique ambience, in which comedy, folklore, village politics and emotional drama are blended seamlessly. The ending is sad and serene, leaving a meaningful impact till the end of the story.
A plus of the film is the cast itself. Om Bhutkar is the best as Keshav and Manjula, where he brings a mix of humour, vulnerability and emotion. He carries a lot of emotional burden and he does a great job at it. Jitendra Joshi is equally good as Ravi Anna, adding a charm and authenticity to a character that is instantly relatable. But, Makarand Anaspure gets special accolades as he avoids mimicking the original film’s Raj B. Shetty. Instead, he’s making his own interpretation and on many occasions his uniqueness makes the character even more memorable. The introduction of Sandeep Pathak’s character down the way gives the story a valuable turn of events that keeps the audience engaged and adds new vitality to the story.
I also found it nice how the film accepted its Marathi identity. The story is intact, but the adaptation is more in the style of the culture and traditions of Maharashtra. These picturesque villages in the Konkan region are not just places to visit; they’re a part of the story. There are also some scenes that are enhanced by the local flavour, making the remake stand alone rather than being a scene-for-scene remake.
Another highlight is the music. The songs fit well into the film and are fun to listen to whether or not they are in the film. I really liked the way the music was used throughout to suit the comedic and emotional content. It’s one such album that can be listened to again and again.
However, the movie isn’t without its flaws. The length is a bit over two and a half hours, which is a bit too long. The original movie was more engaging and I don’t believe those 15 minutes were superfluous. There are a few scenes and songs that slow things down, especially in the middle. These additions add to the Marathi flavor, but do sometimes diminish the sense of urgency in the story.
But the viewing in my theatre was loud and clear. There was a lot of laughter during the screening and people appeared to be enjoying the story and characters. That linkage is hard to create, and Tumbadchi Manjula delivers it in a genuine way and with good acting.
Ultimately, Tumbadchi Manjula is a fun and heartwarming remake that has hit the nail on the head with a fresh generation of viewers. Not as fresh as the original, but not by much – and a better cut would have enhanced the whole thing, but its performances, humor, music and emotional impact are worth seeing.
Rating: 3.5/5
