Storyline of Munjya
A young man’s visit to his native village unveils a family secret and a vengeful spirit, Munjya, who wants to get married. Now the young man must fight to protect himself and his love from Munjya’s clutches leading to a humorously chaotic and terrifying adventure.—Maddock Films
Munjya is an upcoming Indian Hindi-language supernatural comedy horror film directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and produced by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik under Maddock Films. It is the fourth film of Maddock Supernatural Universe starring Sharvari, Mona Singh, Abhay Verma and Sathyaraj. The film centers on the legend of Munjya, inspired by Indian folklore and mythology.The film is scheduled to be released on 7 June 202.
Directed
Cast
Production
Inspiration
Talking with Mid-Day, Bhatt is discussed the traditional four stages of life in Hinduism: Brahmacharya (student life), Gṛhastha (householder life), Vanaprastha (retirement), and Sannyasa (renunciation).
He mentions the Upanayan ceremony known as Munjya in Marathi, which marks the beginning of the student phase, and the Sod Munja (सोड मुंज्या) ceremony, which marks the transition from student life to householder life. Essentially, he’s explaining the significance of these ceremonies in the context of life’s stages according to Hindu tradition.
If a man passes away without getting married after his munja ceremony but before his Sod Munja, he transforms into a Munjya—a spirit dwelling in peepal trees or close to wells. Peepal trees emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide after nightfall, and the apprehension of encountering Munjya deters people from sitting under them after sunset.
According to Bhatt, Munjya is perceived as a creature that is both monstrous and childlike due to dying at a young age. Munjya tends to trouble people to fulfill its desires, often fixating on marriage. Munjya’s are not usually malevolent; rather, they are seen as immature and petty nuisances. They have a peculiar fondness for throwing stones at individuals standing beneath trees.
Development
Bhatt states that the tale initially entered their sphere through Yogesh Chandekar, who introduced a renowned figure from his region to Maddock Films. Bhatt and Kaushik spent three years to developing the story, conducting research by exploring numerous wadas and orchards in the Dapoli and Ganpatipule regions where Munjya’s are said to have been “tied down”. Munjya is acclaimed as inaugural CGI film starring an animated character. The film is helmed by Aditya Sarpotdar, explores the legendary creature from Indian folklore, according to a statement from the makers. The teaser was released on 21 May 2024 and the trailer was released on 24 May 2024.
Casting
Abhay Verma has been selected to star alongside Sharvari in the film. Describing her role, Sharvari mentioned, “I play a contemporary woman determined to pursue her dreams above all else, a sentiment many can identify with in today’s world. Her dating experiences add to the relatability of the character, resonating with numerous women.” The film features Mona Singh, Sathyaraj in other pivotal roles supported by Suhas Joshi. The Marathi actress Rasika Vengurlekar was seen in the teaser is playing a supporting role in the film.
Munjha movie trailer
Filming
The film was shot in the Konkan region.
Release
The film is scheduled to be released on 7 June 2024.
This upcoming movie release offers a unique blend of horror and romance. The film, directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, revolves around Munjya, who becomes obsessed with his first love, Munni. As the director aptly puts it, “At the heart of it, this is Munjya’s love story, and it’s about his first love – Munni. However, he doesn’t get her!” Hence, he gets incarcerated as a demon who won’t leave until he marries Munni.
Producer Dinesh Vijan describes it as a technologically advanced CGI spectacle, promising a visual treat for all audiences. The movie features Sharvari, Mona Singh, Abhay Verma, and Sathyaraj, bringing to life a tale deeply rooted in Indian folklore.
