PremiumMunjya Review - Stree and Bhediya have a potent partner to take a worthy universe ahead
Munjya Review: Sharvari starrer is a reminder to tell tales in the most simple syntax and give the audience what they crave from a genre.
Last Updated: 09.37 AM, Jun 08, 2024
Munjya Review: In a remote village in Konkan in 1952, a boy dreams of marrying a girl seven years older than him and dies in the quest (watch the film to know how). His soul, now a Munjya, seeks the same woman he wanted to marry years ago. Bittu (Abhay Verma) is in present-day Pune and is pulled to the aforementioned village. His past connects him to the Munjya, and soon begins the haunting yet hilarious fight against the supernatural force that demands the life of his lady love, Bela (Sharvari).
Munjya Review: Analysis
There is a comfort in how stories were told when we were children. They weren't complex, but the drama came from situations. There was no need for a jumbled narrative, but they were still very intriguing and exciting. I understand this opening for a horror film is a bit vague, but you will understand by the time you reach the end of this review. Munjya, a film about a supernatural force plaguing the life of a boy who never knew it existed, is an addition to the horror-comedy universe being built by Dinesh Vijan. The film directly ties to Bhediya and is somewhere around Stree. So you know it comes from able hands. But does it meet the same standard as Aditya Sarpotdar joining the team? Let's figure it out.
Written by Niren Bhatt (Bhediya, Bala), Yogesh Chandekar (Andhadhun, Monica O My Darling) with Tushar Ajgaonkar and directed by acclaimed Marathi director Aditya Sarpotdar (Zombivali, Narbachi Wadi), Munjya finds itself in the hands of people who have found a niche in telling stories of real people with quirky elements. A murder mystery about myopic people, a city plagued by zombies (you have to watch Zombivali if you haven't), and a film where an evil factory worker dies at the hands of his own robot. So you know they will bring Munjya very close to the real world, blending it with the elements we associate with the horror genre.
The writers create a folklore about a place called Chetukwadi that is cursed. It resembles a haunting setup, and we know there is something spooky at first sight. But on the contrary, there is a boy who aspires to be a hairdresser and kudos to whoever thinks of adding that layer. He is not a hero; he is the boy you ignore in the background. But he has a mother who always recharges him with the main character's energy. Such a fresh dynamic and a great execution. So while they want to adapt a syntax that is finely charged and neatly decorated to haunt, they also want to stay close to the real world.
Munjya works because the makers keep it simple, making the film an earnest story told in an honest and simplistic manner. Even with a good VFX team, they never overdo it. They know what is needed and add just that, which is the same with humor. While the balance between being serious and introducing gags does topple a bit, it still saves itself as it progresses to the bigger picture, and it is definitely worth your time.
Also read: Munjya teaser - Sharvari, Mona Singh starrer brings blend of myth, mystery, cutting-edge CGI
Not that Munjya has no flaws. There is a lot that you might end up questioning, and the movie doesn't answer. What exactly is Chetukwadi? Why is it a fort standing in the middle of the ocean but already destroyed before we see it? Why are the connections so convenient and obvious? There is a whole lot that you can already predict if you have seen enough horror films. But the good part is that Aditya and the team quickly compensate with another element, making you feel like they were never intending to act like they were serving an evolutionary film.
Aditya Sarpotdar’s direction stays consistent, and he makes a few very interesting choices that work well. He keeps the story crisp even with the visual translation and does not plan to give you elaborate explanations for things. He knows you have seen enough of this to understand the common syntax, so he emphasizes other important things. A wise decision.
The acting performance by Abhay Verma is balanced and very real. He gives Bittu a very relatable vibe where you feel like you know him, and that is a good sign. Sharvari is impressive, and she should do more of these parts to grow even more. She finds the hook to this part and much more in the second half, and you can see there is potential. Mona Singh can never go wrong, and as a Punjabi mother, she is a treat. And witnessing Suhas Joshi on the big screen brings peace amid all the chaos.
Technically, Munjya is a well-made film because the visuals are stunning. As mentioned, there is no intention to overdo things, which works in the makers' favor. The music is decent but it could have been better. Taras is quirky and peppy, though. Also, if you have seen Pachhadlela as a child (and were horrified, of course), 'Baba Lagin' has a substitute now, and you will have to watch the movie to know that. The way the chaos is handled in the final few sequences is quite commendable.
Munjya Review: Final Verdict
Munjya’s intent is to entertain and scare you while making you laugh with a very simple syntax that is accepted across the board, and it does that pretty well. But wait for the post-credits; a solid one with a thirst trap awaits!
Munjya hits the big screen from June 7, 2024. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more information on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.