“By 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. As the fourth installment in the Maddock Supernatural Universe, the film features a star-studded cast including Sharvari, Mona Singh, Abhay Verma, and Sathyaraj. The story revolves around the legend of Munjya, drawing inspiration from Indian folklore and mythology.
| Directed by | Aditya Sarpotdar |
|---|---|
| Screenplay by | Niren Bhatt |
| Story by | Yogesh Chandekar |
| Produced by | Dinesh Vijan |
| Amar Kaushik | |
| Starring | Sharvari |
| Abhay Verma | |
| Mona Singh | |
| Sathyaraj | |
| Cinematography | Saurabh Goswami |
| Edited by | Monisha R. Baldawa |
| Music by | Sachin–Jigar |
| Production company | Maddock Films |
| Distributed by | Pen Marudhar Entertainment |
| Release date | 7 June 2024 |
| Running time | 123 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Cast:
- Sharvari
- Abhay Verma as Bittu
- Mona Singh
- Sathyaraj
- Suhas Joshi
- Rasika Vengurlekar
Production:
Talking with Mid-Day, Bhatt 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.
Bhatt explains that 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. Munjyas tend to trouble people to fulfill their desires, often fixating on marriage. Munjyas 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.
Release:
The film is set to be released on June 7, 2024.
Munjya tells the story of a spirit accidentally released by a boy, who then begins to trouble the local women. The community must now find a way to send the spirit back to where it came from. Release Date: Munjya is set to be released on June 7, 2024.
