Is Tumbbad Movie Really Fictional or Based on Real Stories?

The Tumbbad movie has captured the attention of countless audiences with its blend of horror, fantasy, and historical context. While the film's narrative is not based on a specific real-life event, it draws upon themes of greed, family, and the supernatural that resonate with various legends and stories in Indian culture. The unique blend creates an immersive experience, but it should be viewed as a fictional tale rather than a direct retelling of true events.

The Real Village of Tumbbad

Often, the impact of a horror film is enhanced when it is rooted in a true incident. Even though Tumbbad's storyline is entirely fictional, the village of Tumbbad is very real. Prior to the film's release, nobody was particularly aware of this tiny village in the Maharashtra state of India. This highlights the power of storytelling and how a fictional movie can bring a real place to the forefront of people's consciousness.

For many individuals, especially in the Konkan area, similar stories told by their grandmothers were quite common. These stories, often filled with suspense and fear, were cautionary tales meant to instill a sense of solemnity. While some believe these stories are based on real events, others prefer to consider them as fictional tales passed down through generations.

However, it is almost impossible to create a story without including some real elements. In reality, every story is inspired by some past events. The director of Tumbbad had a significant challenge in creating a movie from an idea, ensuring that not every scene was a direct reproduction of past occurrences. Nonetheless, the main story and significant events are rooted in reality.

The Role of Hastur in the Narrative

One of the central figures in the Tumbbad movie, Hastur, is not a deity. In fact, the concept of Hastur originates from Cthulhu mythos, where Hastur is an entity who must not be named. This concept was first illustrated in the works of H.P. Lovecraft. The director of Tumbbad took this idea and incorporated it into the story. It is important to note that Hastur is not based on any known entity, but rather on a fictional concept created by the storywriter.

Today, the world more commonly associates Hastur with the fictional character Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter series. However, in the context of Tumbbad, Hastur remains an enigmatic figure whose existence is never confirmed. This ambiguity is a hallmark of the supernatural elements present in the film.

The Writing Process and Originality

The initial inspiration for Tumbbad came from the stories of Marathi writer Narayan Dharap. As the writing process evolved, the creators developed an original and unique storyline, diverging from the original source material to create a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences.

The movie tells the story of a family that builds a shrine for Hastar, a monster who is never to be worshipped. In their quest to acquire the cursed wealth associated with this malevolent entity, they face catastrophic consequences. This narrative explores themes of greed, family dynamics, and the untethered consequences of dealing with the supernatural.

In conclusion, while Tumbbad draws upon cultural themes and fictional concepts, it is primarily a work of fiction. The blend of horror, fantasy, and historical elements creates an immersive and engaging viewing experience for audiences.