In the ever-evolving landscape of Bollywood horror-comedies, comparisons between films are inevitable. However, director Aditya Sarpotdar is drawing a clear line in the sand when it comes to his latest supernatural venture Munjya and the 2018 blockbuster Stree.
Why Comparing Ghosts Is Unfair
Sarpotdar, in a recent exclusive conversation, expressed his frustration with what he calls "unfair comparisons" between the two films. While both belong to the horror-comedy genre and share the Maddock Films production banner, the director insists the similarities end there.
"Thamma and Lokah are poles apart," Sarpotdar emphasized, referring to the central ghost characters from both films. "The only commonality is that both are horror-comedies produced by Maddock. Beyond that, they are completely different films with different narratives, different treatments, and different spirits."
Different Ghosts, Different Stories
The director elaborated on the fundamental differences that set Munjya apart from its predecessor:
- Mythological Roots: Munjya draws inspiration from authentic Indian folklore, specifically the Konkani legend about a mischievous ghost born from unresolved desires
- Character Dynamics: Unlike Stree's female spirit, Munjya represents a distinct type of supernatural entity with its own rules and mythology
- Visual Treatment: The film employs cutting-edge VFX to bring the mythical creature to life in ways never seen before in Indian cinema
Breaking New Ground in Horror-Comedy
Sarpotdar believes that categorizing all horror-comedies together does a disservice to the genre's diversity. Munjya, starring Sharvari Wagh, Abhay Verma, and Mona Singh, attempts to explore uncharted territory in Indian supernatural storytelling.
"Every film has its own soul and should be judged on its own merits," the director stated. "When you keep comparing new films to past successes, you're not allowing the new story to breathe or find its own audience."
The Pressure of Predecessors
The success of Stree, which became a cultural phenomenon and spawned an entire universe, has created high expectations for subsequent horror-comedies from the same production house. However, Sarpotdar sees this not as pressure but as an opportunity to expand the genre's horizons.
Munjya represents the latest addition to Maddock Films' growing portfolio of supernatural stories, each attempting to bring unique Indian folklore to mainstream audiences while blending scares with laughter.
As the film prepares to haunt theaters, Sarpotdar's message is clear: judge Munjya not by the ghosts of horror-comedies past, but by the fresh scares and laughs it brings to the present.
