‘Tumbbad’ Rerelease Scores at Box Office, Sequel Confirmed

Arty 2018 Indian folklore horror film “Tumbbad” has belatedly found new life at the box office. Its 2024 rerelease in India has grossed $1.5 million and counting.

This success compares with the film’s initial $2 million global haul six years ago and breathes new energy into what has become a cult favorite.

“Tumbbad,” which follows a greedy village boy’s pursuit of a cursed ancestral treasure guarded by the devil, was the first Indian film to open the Venice Critics’ Week in 2018. It went on to win a brace of awards at Sitges among many other accolades. The project, an India-Sweden co-production, was shot over four monsoon seasons and took six years to complete.

Actor-producer Sohum Shah has confirmed that a sequel is in the works, with production set to begin in 2025. “The script is ready, took us six years to perfect it,” Shah told Variety. “We cracked the idea with massive difficulty to ensure it does justice to ‘Tumbbad’s’ world.”

While co-director Rahi Anil Barve won’t be returning for the sequel due to other commitments, Adesh Prasad, who co-directed the original “Tumbbad,” is set to helm the new instalment. “Rahi won’t be a part of ‘Tumbbad 2’ as much as we’d love it. He has some fantastic work that he is creating and is coming up and has a jam packed schedule. I am super excited for the world to see his work and the stuff he’ll give the audiences. Rahi’s stamp however will always be on ‘Tumbbad’ and its universe,” Shah said.

Barve is currently working on Netflix India’s first action-fantasy series, “Rakt Bramhand – The Bloody Kingdom,” alongside creators Raj & DK.

Shah elaborated on the challenges of developing the sequel: “A lot of people – fans, friends, peers, colleagues included – would keep telling me to make ‘Tumbbad 2,’ but I was certain that if we don’t crack the correct idea and story – we will not do justice to this universe….