Offers entertaining escapades despite an uneven tone

Story: When a young man visiting his ancestral village unwittingly unleashes a vengeful spirit, Munjya, he must save himself and his love interest from its clutches. This tryst with the childlike creature throws him into a hilarious and terrifying adventure.

Review: Director Aditya Sarpotdar’s horror comedy, inspired by Indian folklore, takes the viewer on an atmospheric adventure early on. The story unfolds in 1952 in the idyllic Konkan countryside, where young Gotya resorts to black magic to win an older girl Munni’s heart. However, he tragically loses his life as his attempt backfires. Since he dies within 10 days of his ‘munj’ (thread ceremony), he becomes a restless spirit, Munjya, trapped in a tree.

Fast-forward to the present, Munjya latches on to his descendant, Bittu (Abhay Verma), fixated on fulfilling his unfulfilled desire—to marry Munni and set his spirit free. However, in a turn of events, Munjya sets his sights on Bittu’s love interest, Bela (Sharvari). A ride filled with laughter and horror follows as Bittu scrambles to save himself and Bela from Munjya’s clutches. As the film’s story progresses, the comedy often dilutes the tension the horror elements build. The energy slips in the second half as the narrative prioritises goofy scenes such as spirits swapping, a self-proclaimed godman (S Sathyaraj) helping the protagonist, and so on.

Cinematographer Saurabh Goswami skilfully captures the beauty and eeriness of forests and ruins, while the light and shadow play and the occasional jump scares further amplify the mood. The film boasts a well-crafted Munjya (who may remind you of The Lord of the Rings’s Gollum), brought to life through advanced CGI, but his spirit possessing other characters towards the end seems spoofy.

Abhay Verma delivers a delightful performance as Bittu, convincingly portraying the character’s fear and excelling in comedic scenes. Sharvari complements him well as Bela. Supporting actors Mona Singh as Bittu’s fiery Punjabi mother, Pammi, and S Sathyaraj as the quirky godman leave a lasting impression.

Like its predecessors, ‘Stree’ and ‘Bhediya’, ‘Munjya’ also subtly weaves a social message into its narrative – about the importance of consent in love.

The movie leaves some questions unanswered, and certain elements fail to add up. Nevertheless, the atmospheric setting, hilarious moments, and engaging performances make it an entertaining watch, especially for viewers seeking a horror-comedy experience with a youthful energy. Don’t forget to stay after the credits for a surprise appearance.