Horror is a genre that has found a close link to India over the years. It specifically gained recognition in the 80s and 90s when the Ramsay Brothers brought the most terrifying films with the addition of glamour. This included Purana Mandir, Saamri, Veerana, Tahkhana, and the list goes on.
While the popularity of these films diminished at one point, Vikram Bhatt took over. But as modernization has taken over around the world, filmmakers are now adding comedy, suspense, and mystery elements to this genre, which is somewhat inspired by Hollywood who began using the formula a long time ago. The best example is Virupaksha which includes an unpredictable truth in the end.
However, this does not mean that the industry is not focusing on serious and intense horror films. Now OTT platforms are also getting used to it. While Nikkhil Advani’s Adhura failed to create any impact last year, we have a new Marathi show arriving soon on Sony LIV, titled Manvat Murders.
With an amazing star cast that includes faces like Sai Tamhankar and Sonali Kulkarni, the trailer of the show is already giving a spooky feeling as we speak about it. But to avoid any confusion, let’s be very clear at first that the basic premise will focus on unsolved murders.
Based on the real-life murders that happened in Maharashtra during the 70s, the show is expected to have some nail-biting moments alongside other things that would leave us shocked. The shots, in the beginning, hinted that black magic has something to do with the incidents. But this will be confirmed only after the film’s release.
This is followed by some sequences where little girls are being kidnapped. We are then introduced to DCP Ramakant Kulkarni, portrayed by none other than the versatile director Ashutosh Gowariker.
A voiceover reveals that there have been seven murders in 18 months. We witness the police investigating the case as they round up the suspects and there are also some moments of brutality as the trailer progresses.
Coming to Sonali Kulkarni, it seems like a lot of things about her character are being hidden for now. But the talented actress is expected to play a different kind of role this time, possibly something that we have never seen in the past. While Sai Tamhankar does not get a lot of scenes in the glimpse, she is supposed to be an important part of the storyline.
Apart from Marathi, the show will be available for streaming in multiple other languages. It is helmed by Ashish Avinash Bende and is scheduled to premiere on October 4, 2024.
