Jugnuma Movie Review: Manoj Bajpayee shines in a surreal and unsettling drama

Manoj Bajpayee returns to the screen

‘Jugnuma,’ directed by Raam Reddy, was released in theatres on 12th September and stars Manoj Bajpayee, Priyanka Bose, Deepak Dobriyal and Hiral Sidhu.

A hillside drama woven with magic realism

‘Jugnuma’ unfolds in the quiet expanse of a hillside orchard, telling a story that blends heightened drama with traces of magic realism, all rendered beautifully through the textured look of 16 mm film. The film doesn’t dilute its vision or chase after mainstream appeal; instead, it feels like an unhurried slice of life about people tied to the rhythms of the orchard. Slowly, it draws the viewer in, weaving its own spell until you are taken in by its quiet charm. The performances carry a raw power and authenticity that keep the narrative grounded. Yet, the magic realism at times feels less organic, almost as if added after, rather than growing naturally from the story. Despite that unevenness, Raam Reddy’s direction holds the film together, delivering a drama that is striking to look at.

The orchard and its burning mystery

Set in the spring of 1989, the story centers on Dev (Manoj Bajpayee), the owner of the orchard, who lives there with his wife Nandini (Priyanka Bose) and young son Juju. Their daughter Vanya (Hiral Sidhu) comes home for her summer break, while Mohan (Deepak Dobriyal), the estate manager, oversees the daily operation. Dev has a strange habit of gliding off the cliffs with his homemade mechanical wings, a ritual that gives him both freedom and communion with nature. The tranquillity of this world is broken when a tree suddenly catches fire. Dev dismisses it as a freak accident, but more trees soon follow, turning the fires into a devastating mystery. His attempts to control the destruction fail, and as the orchard burns, Dev’s inner life also begins to unravel. The fires defy logic, and in his frustration, he starts questioning his life’s choices.

Cinematography that breathes the mountains

The cinematography is a triumph in itself, capturing the mountains with a grainy texture that feels both intimate and timeless. Every frame appears carefully composed, pulling you deeper into the orchard’s mood. The film carries a haunting stillness, balanced between serenity and tension, that keeps you attentive even when very little seems to happen. Its slow pace may test patience, but it is never dull—rather, it invites viewers to sit with silence and absorb the world it creates. The hills, the workers, and the crackling fires all carry an unspoken weight. Reddy refuses to explain or handhold, trusting his audience to stay with him. The patience he demands pays off, because the experience of watching ‘Jugnuma’ is not about quick resolutions but about surrendering to its rhythm.

Performances anchor the narrative

Manoj Bajpayee brings Dev to life with remarkable restraint, embodying a man weighed down by doubts and weariness. His ability to convey layers of emotion without excess makes him mesmerizing to watch. Priyanka Bose, as Nandini, offers steady support, her performance subtle but impactful. Deepak Dobriyal stands out as Mohan, the estate manager, inhabiting his role with ease and adding a lived-in quality to the orchard’s world. Hiral Sidhu, as Vanya, delivers a striking performance and emerges as a talent to watch in the future. But what truly anchors the film are the local actors. Their presence infuses the story with authenticity, making the orchard and its community feel real and textured. Together, this ensemble creates a balance between the director’s artistic ambition and the organic life of the setting.

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Slice of life meets the surreal

In the end, ‘Jugnuma’ feels more like an experience than a straightforward drama. It asks the audience to savour its silences and live in its pauses, much like the hills themselves. Some of the magic realism elements don’t quite flow seamlessly with the narrative, but they do lend the film a certain timelessness, as though pulling an old tale out of the mountains’ memory. The result is a film that is at once unsettling and comforting, cerebral and lyrical. It may not be meant for mass audiences, and its niche appeal is evident, but for viewers willing to lose themselves in its world, ‘Jugnuma’ offers something rare: a cinematic journey that lingers long after the final frame.

Rating: 3.5/5