Parag Maniar (BOMBAY TIMES; November 21, 2013)

Sohum Shah, who earlier produced and starred in Ship Of Theseus, has undergone a striking physical transformation for his next film, Tumbad. “It is a dark period thriller set against the backdrop of colonial India and infused with elements of fantasy. I had to bulk up for my role by following a strict regimen to stay true to the physicality prevalent in the 1930s,” says the actor-producer. 

The team did several test shoots before zeroing in on Sohum’s look. He, too, researched the kind of costumes worn in that era. “Most of the crew found it difficult to recognise me on my first day on the set,” he says. 

Produced by Recyclewala Films, it marks the directorial debut of Rahi Anil Barve whose short film Manjha was released by director Danny Boyle with the Slumdog Millionaire Blu-Ray disk. Some portions of Tumbad, which is scheduled to release worldwide next year, were screened at the NFDC Film Bazaar in Goa last year. It had sparked off quite a buzz among cinema buffs then.