After leaving an indelible impression on Indian cinema with Tumbbad (2018), filmmaker Rahi Anil Barve is set to return to the big screen with his much-anticipated next feature, Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion. Slated for a theatrical release across India soon, the film signals a bold continuation of Barve’s fascination with obsession, greed, and the darker corners of the human psyche—this time rooted in a contemporary setting while retaining the eerie, layered storytelling that defined his earlier work.
Tumbbad earned cult status for its chilling blend of folklore, mythology, and a haunting treasure hunt driven by an insatiable lust for gold. With Mayasabha, Barve revisits that central theme of obsession, but reframes it within a modern context. While gold once again serves as a powerful symbol, it is no longer confined to mythic landscapes or ancestral curses. Instead, it becomes a metaphor woven into a more present-day world, where ambition, illusion, and desire collide in unsettling ways.
True to its evocative title, Mayasabha draws deeply from the concepts of “Maya,” meaning illusion, and “Sabha,” meaning assembly. Together, they suggest a space where reality is constantly distorted, where truth shifts depending on who is speaking, and where appearances can be dangerously deceptive. The film’s narrative power does not rest solely on its plot but is significantly amplified by its sharp and deliberate use of language. Wordplay becomes a defining feature, with dialogues layered in double meanings, hidden implications, and unexpected turns of phrase. In Mayasabha, what is said often matters as much as what is left unsaid.
This careful attention to dialogue transforms language into an essential part of the film’s atmosphere. Conversations are designed to unsettle, provoke, and linger long after they are spoken. Every exchange carries weight, reinforcing the film’s central tension between illusion and reality. Rather than relying only on visual spectacle, Barve uses words as tools to deepen the psychological unease, making Mayasabha as much an intellectual experience as it is a cinematic one.
One of the film’s most talked-about elements is the casting of Jaaved Jaaferi in a transformative role. Known primarily for his versatility across comedy, dance, and character roles, Jaaved steps into territory that promises to surprise audiences. The actor himself has described Mayasabha as the best experience of his four-decade-long career, a statement that has only heightened curiosity around his performance. Jaaved has expressed immense eagerness to showcase this role, hinting at a character that pushes boundaries and challenges familiar perceptions of his screen persona.
Sharing the screen with Jaaved Jaaferi is Mohammad Samad, who left a strong impression as a child actor in Tumbbad. Now older and stepping into a strikingly different avatar, Samad’s return creates a fascinating link between Barve’s two films. His presence adds an additional layer of continuity, while also signaling growth—both for the actor and the cinematic world Barve is building. Audiences who remember Samad from Tumbbad will be keen to see how his new role unfolds within the morally complex universe of Mayasabha.
As the film gears up for its theatrical rollout, Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion positions itself as more than just Barve’s follow-up to Tumbbad. It stands as an evolution of his storytelling voice—bolder, sharper, and deeply rooted in psychological and linguistic complexity. The search for gold remains a driving force, but it is now intertwined with modern power structures, human manipulation, and the fragile nature of truth. In this world, illusion is not merely a theme; it is a lived experience for the characters and, potentially, for the audience as well.
The film is produced by Girish Patel and Ankoor J Singh under the banner of Zirkon Films, with Pickle Entertainment—led by Sameer Dixit and Hrishikesh Bhirangi—presenting the project. Co-producers include Shamrao Bhagwan Yadav, Chanda Yadav, Keval Handa, and Manish Handa. Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion will be released across India by Pickle Entertainment in association with UFO Moviez, ensuring a wide theatrical reach.
With its compelling cast, layered narrative style, and Barve’s distinctive vision, Mayasabha promises to be a thought-provoking cinematic experience—one where every word matters, every illusion has a purpose, and the line between reality and deception grows increasingly blurred.