“Munjya” is a 2024 Indian supernatural comedy horror film directed by Aditya Sarpotdar. Produced by Amar Kaushik and Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, it’s part of the Maddock Supernatural Universe. The movie stars Sharvari, Abhay Verma, Mona Singh, and Sathyaraj, revolving around the myth of munjya from Indian folklore.

Released on June 7, 2024, “Munjya” received mixed reviews but became a sleeper hit, earning over ₹123 crore worldwide against a ₹30 crore production budget. It ranked as the fifth highest-grossing Hindi film of 2024.

Plot 

In 1952 Konkan, Gotya loved Munni, older and engaged. He tries to poison her fiancé, fails, dies in a ritual, becomes Munjya haunting a peepal tree.

Decades later in Pune, Bittu loves his grandmother and Bela. His father died due to Munjya. Visiting his village, Bittu confronts Munjya, who possesses him, demanding to marry Bela.

With friend Spielberg, they learn Munni was Bela’s grandmother. Munjya now targets Bela for sacrifice. They seek help from Elvis, trap Munjya in a goat, but Munjya possesses Bela.

After a showdown, Bittu defeats Munjya with Gita’s help. He confesses to Bela, they remain friends. Spielberg and Rukku collaborate. Munjya’s spirit persists as parts of the peepal tree scatter.

In a credits scene, Munjya observes Bhediya wearing Munni underwear, hinting at his ongoing presence.

Cast

Abhay Verma as Bittu

Sharvari as Bela

Sathyaraj as Elvis Karim Prabhakar

Mona Singh as Pamela, Bittu’s mother

Suhas Joshi as Gita (Aji), Bittu’s grandmother and Munjya’s sister

Ayush Ulagadde as Munjya alias “Gotya”

Bhagyashree Limaye as Rukku

Ajay Purkar as Balu Kaka

Richard Lovatt as Kuba

Shruti Marathe as Gotya’s mother

Taranjot Singh as Spielberg

Anay Kamat as Gotya’s father

Reema Chaudhary as Mahua

Rasika Vengurlekar as lady in bus

Radhika Vidyasagar as housewife

Varun Dhawan as Bhaskar Sharma (cameo)

Abhishek Banerjee as Janardhan Sharma (cameo)

Production

In Hindu tradition, Munjya are spirits believed to be young men who passed away after their Upanayan ceremony but before their wedding. They are said to reside in peepal trees or near wells. People avoid sitting under peepal trees at night because these trees release a lot of carbon dioxide, making them eerie places. Munjya are seen as childish spirits, not evil but mischievous. They often bother people to fulfil their desires, especially fixating on marriage. Some stories say Munjya even throw stones at people standing under trees, adding to their reputation as playful but troublesome spirits.

Performances

Abhay Verma does a great job playing Bittu, who is nervous but lovable. His scenes with the computer-generated character Munjya feel real and make his character more interesting. Sharvari Wagh also shines as Bela, especially in the second half when her role becomes more significant. Mona Singh impresses with her strong acting as Pammy, even though her character isn’t central to the main story. S Sathyaraj adds humour to the intense plot with his role as an expert in exorcising demons. The entire cast gives powerful performances that make the movie even better.

Direction and Music

Aditya Sarpotdar’s direction in “Munjya” is impressive. He previously directed “Zombivli,” and his skill shows in how he balanced the movie’s vision. Unlike relying on sudden scares, the film gradually builds a feeling of suspense throughout. Munjya, a character created entirely with computer graphics (CGI), is both creepy and funny, giving the movie a unique twist. The sound effects and music intensify the suspense and mood. There’s also a beautiful song called “Tainu Khabar Nahi” that adds to the story’s charm.

Final verdict

“Munjya” stands as a testament to innovative storytelling in Indian cinema, offering a fresh perspective on supernatural themes while delivering strong performances and memorable moments. It establishes itself as a must-watch for enthusiasts of horror-comedy genres and fans of Indian alike.

# “Munjya” not only entertains but also explores themes rooted in Indian tradition, making it a compelling watch for cinephiles seeking innovative storytelling and memorable performances.