Munjya

Munjya is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language supernatural comedy horror film directed by Aditya Sarpotdar starring Abhay Verma, Sharvari, Mona Singh and Sathyaraj. Produced by Amar Kaushik and Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, it is the third film in the Maddock Supernatural Universe and focuses on the legend of munjya, inspired by Indian folklore and mythology.
Munjya was theatrically released on 7 June 2024, to positive reviews from critics. The film emerged as sleeper hit grossing over worldwide against a production cost of to rank as the fifth highest-grossing Hindi film of 2024.
== Plot ==
In 1952, in a village in Konkan, a young Brahmin boy named Gotya is in love with Munni, a girl seven years older than him. When Munni's marriage is arranged with another man, Gotya unsuccessfully attempts to poison him. After being scolded by his mother, Gotya, determined to marry Munni, takes his sister Gita to a dense jungle called Chetukwadi to perform black magic under a peepal tree. In the process, he accidentally kills himself, becoming a malevolent spirit named Munjya, haunting the tree.
Several decades later, in Pune, Bittu is a timid young man working as a hairdresser at his mother Pammi's salon. He loves his grandmother dearly and is deeply attached to her. He is in love with his childhood friend Bela but hasn't confessed his feelings. Bela returns after completing her studies from the United States and her boyfriend Kuba proposes to her, leaving Bittu heartbroken. Bittu has recurring nightmares about the haunted peepal tree.
Bittu's family travels to their ancestral home in Konkan for his cousin Rukku's engagement. There, his uncle Balu Kaka reveals that Bittu's father died near the haunted tree, believed to be caused by Munjya. Ignoring warnings, Bittu visits the tree and gets possessed by Munjya. Bittu's grandmother, who is revealed to be Gotya's sister Gita is killed by Munjya. Munjya demands Bittu help him marry Munni, now Bela's grandmother.
Bittu confides in his friend Spielberg, and they learn about Munni's history from Rukku. Munjya, now interested in Bela, plans to marry and sacrifice her. Bittu and Spielberg seek help from an exorcist, Elvis, who devises a plan to transfer Munjya into a goat and kill it. However, the plan goes awry, and Bela is possessed. Munjya, now in Bela's body, tries to sacrifice her, but Bittu, guided by Gita's spirit, defeats Munjya by transferring him into the tree, which they burn.
In the end, Bittu confesses his feelings to Bela, who values their friendship. Spielberg and Bittu’s cousin Rukku start working together on video shoots. Balu Kaka, who had temporarily hosted the peepal tree's spirit, starts behaving like a tree. The parts of the burnt tree containing Munjya's spirit are transported away, hinting he may still be alive.
In a mid-credits scene, Bhaskar aka Bhediya is stranded naked in a jungle and receives clothes from Jana, including underwear from a brand named "Munni", which is observed by Munjya.
== Cast ==
== Release ==
===Theatrical===
The film was released on 7 June 2024 in cinemas.
===Home media===
The digital streaming rights are acquired by Disney+ Hotstar.
== Soundtrack ==
Sachin–Jigar composed the music and score for the film, while one song is co-composed by Skeletron. Lyrics are written by Amitabh Bhattacharya.
== Reception ==
Bhawna Arya of Times Now rated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "In conclusion, Munjya appears to be an entertaining film that successfully combines elements of comedy and horror. While it may not satisfy hardcore horror fans, it promises to be a fun and thrilling ride for those who enjoy a good laugh with their scares." Ganesh Aaglave of Firstpost rated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Film aces in the technical departments, especially in VFX, camera and SFX with crisp editing. Talking about the performances, everyone in the cast has done a splendid job but it’s a VFX character of Munjya, who has stolen the show. Munjya is a theatrical experience and deserves a watch for its novelty and authenticity."
A critic for Bollywood Hungama rated the film 3 stars out of 5 and wrote "Munjya is an entertaining horror-comedy with a gripping second half. At the box office, the film might start slow but it has the potential to pick up due to the genre, word of mouth and connection with the Maddock Cinematic Universe." Dhaval Roy of The Times Of India rated the film 3 stars out of 5 and wrote "The movie leaves some questions unanswered, and certain elements fail to add up. Nevertheless, the atmospheric setting, hilarious moments, and engaging performances make it an entertaining watch, especially for viewers seeking a horror- comedy experience with a youthful energy."
Rishil Jogani of Pinkvilla rated the film 2.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Munjya has redeeming qualities but the irritating monster, formulaic tropes and the outrageous climax make it the horror show that it doesn't intend to be." Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV rated the film 1.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Munjya is the sort of film that you want off your back as desperately as Bittu wants Munjya off his! It outlives its welcome well before it is into its second half. It is easy to see that a great deal of effort has gone into its making. What it yields is hardly commensurate."
===Box office===
As of August 1, 2024 the film has grossed in India and internationally, for a total worldwide gross of .
== External links ==
*
*
== References ==
Category:2024 films
Category:2024 comedy horror films
Category:2020s Hindi-language films
Category:2020s supernatural horror films
Category:Indian comedy horror films
Category:Indian supernatural horror films
Category:Films based on Indian folklore
Category:Folk horror films
Category:Films shot in Pune
Category:Films set in Pune
Category:Films set in 1952
Category:Films about marriage
Category:Films directed by Aditya Sarpotdar
Category:Films shot in Maharashtra