Tumbbad Director's Five-Year OTT Epic Gulkanda Tales Remains in Production Limbo
Rahi Anil Barve, the acclaimed director behind the cult horror film Tumbbad, has revealed that his ambitious OTT series Gulkanda Tales remains stuck in production limbo despite five years of dedicated work. In an exclusive conversation, Barve expressed frustration over the uncertainty surrounding the project, stating he cannot even share a single image from the completed show.
A Journey from Film to Series
Originally conceived as a two-part film, Gulkanda Tales transformed into a major OTT series backed by renowned creators Raj & DK. The project boasts an impressive cast including Kunal Kemmu, Patralekha, Amit Mistry, and Zakir Hussain. Amazon Prime Video officially announced the series in 2022, yet audiences continue to wait for its release.
"After Tumbbad, I spent five years creating Gulkanda Tales," Barve revealed. "I gave my all, my life's energy, into it. I created one of the biggest OTT shows and now I can't show a single image of it."
Production Challenges and Creative Vision
The production journey has been particularly challenging. Filming began in 2019 but faced significant delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing through 2023. Barve described the series as a "laugh riot" set in an "extremely bizarre world" that spans four thousand years of imagined history.
"It's a show that can't be made again, and hasn't been made before," the director emphasized, highlighting the unique creative vision behind the project.
Industry Uncertainty and Comparisons
Barve's comments come amid broader concerns about project viability in today's entertainment landscape. The director made a striking comparison, suggesting that even a groundbreaking series like Sacred Games would struggle to get made in the current climate.
"I keep saying in today's time, Sacred Games can't be made," Barve stated. "Even if it will get made, they would kill it, they would cancel it, they would destroy it."
Rumors and Clarifications
Last year, multiple reports suggested that Amazon Prime Video had shelved Gulkanda Tales, citing potential content concerns with the current socio-political climate and rumors of financial discrepancies in the show's budgeting. However, both Rahi Anil Barve and producers Raj & DK took to social media to clarify that the project remains active and in development.
The creative team has also announced their next collaboration, Rakht Brahmand for Netflix, which is currently underway.
Looking Forward
Meanwhile, Barve is preparing for the theatrical release of his upcoming film Mayasabha, starring Javed Jaffrey, scheduled for this Friday. The director also confirmed he is developing the sequel to his breakthrough film Tumbbad, titled Pahadpangira.
The situation highlights the increasing challenges facing ambitious creative projects in India's evolving entertainment industry, where even established directors with proven track records face significant hurdles in bringing their visions to audiences.
