Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 8, 2019)

The year 2018 was about blockbuster films, like Badhaai Ho, AndhaDhun, Baaghi 2 and Simmba, and Sohum Shah’s widely acclaimed Tumbbad. The horror-drama went on to receive eight nominations at the 64th Filmfare Awards and won three, for Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Sound Design. “The response to Tumbbad has been overwhelming. I got a text from someone who has seen it 52 times which makes the seven years spent on making it seem worthwhile today. But many on social media have also expressed their regret at not watching it on the big screen,” shares the actor-filmmaker who on October 12 will have a screening for a select few to celebrate one year of the film’s release.

The film was reportedly under consideration as India’s official entry to the Oscars last year. Eventually, Rima Das’s Village Rockstars made the cut. Any regrets? “I stand by the film’s message that greed has no limits. Every film has its own destiny and I am content with the love that Tumbbad receives even today,” he asserts, recalling that after its premiere in the Critics’ Week at Venice International Film Festival, one of the reviews stated that “Tumbbad looks like a universe that God created and forgot to put on the human map”. “That meant a lot to me,” he smiles, revealing that the film’s team is now exploring the idea of making a sequel or a prequel, but hasn’t cracked a story yet.