Munjya Review: Deliciously wicked supernatural-comedy is high on laughs, low on horror

Munjya (the film) over-compensates for its scares with too-many light-hearted moments. (Image via X)

Films rooted in folklore are endearing for they take a local experience and universalise it. Think Bhoota Kola tradition in Rishabh Shetty's ‘Kantara’ (2022) or the legend of demon God Haster in Tumbadd (2018). Both films were celebrated by pan-India audience, proving that hyperlocal stories, when told correctly, can gain global appreciation.

Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and based in the same universe as Stree (2018) and Bhediya (2022), Munjya is rooted in the Konkan folklore of an eponymous child demon-cum-monster who is less malevolent, more mischievous. Munjya in Marathi refers to a traditional ceremony which marks the beginning of student phase of the male child. This is followed by Sod Munjya, a ceremony which marks the end of student phase and the beginning of the married life. If a child dies before his Sod Munjya ceremony, he takes the form of Munjya—a ghost who dwells near peepul trees and wells.

The premise of the film is strong and backed with solid research by Yogesh Chandekar and writer Niren Bhatt. Munjya is essentially the ghost of a pre-pubescent child who is fixated on marriage. He seeks help from humans to fulfil his desires—a set-up that guarantees plenty of laughs.

An earnest Abhay Verma plays Bittu, a socially awkward man in his twenties who is often suspected of abusing drugs post-sunset because that is usually the time of the day when he is haunted by Munjya. Munjya is possibly the most horny teenage ghost to have ever existed. The CGI monster in the film looks like a love child between an Orc from Lord of the Rings and Dobby, the Elf from the Harry Potter franchise.

Mona Singh plays Pummy, Bittu’s protective single mother and a working woman who runs a salon. Her protective instincts wouldn't let her son go out and explore the world. Singh is an absolute scene-stealer. A considerable part of the film rests on her slender, yet able shoulders—especially the humorous bits which work well owing to the actor’s impeccable comic timing. Her Punjabi twang is oddly reminiscent of Miss Bulbul in Prime Video's Made in Heaven season 2.

Sharwari Wagh is Bittu’s love interest, whose dating escapades often get in the way of her ambitions. A special mention to Taran Singh, who plays Bittu's friend-cum-confidante and contributes significantly to the humour in the film.

As someone who isn't particularly fond of the horror genre, this critic tried his best to not let his biases come in the way of an objective review. But I was pleasantly surprised when the film didn't turn out to be as spooky as I expected it to be. Those who are looking for a full-blown horror movie (think Conjuring, The Exorcist), might be in for a disappointment because the jokes and gags tend to dilute the horror in this 123-minute-long film.

A cameo by Shraddha Kapoor perfectly synchronises the elements of Stree-Munjya universe and leaves plenty of room for a crossover film.

Though Munjya works well for the most part, the film makes the eponymous monster a bit too mischievous for his own good. Munjya's mischievous antics, (like giving love bites to unsuspecting women in the bus), leave little room for the ghost to appear sinister or formidable.

Besides this, the characters seem to lack depth and often come across as one-note. The screenplay is weak in parts and the dialogue feels shaky in a few scenes. The CGI isn't too impressive and seems borderline cartoonish, almost as if the director wanted to woo kids.

Munjya (the film) over-compensates for its scares with too-many light-hearted moments. It works well nonetheless but don't expect Stree-level perfection from it. Here's hoping India's Maddock Supernatural Universe (MSU) grows with similar tales rooted in folklores.

Munjya is now playing in theatres.