Eight years after Tumbbad first released, Alia Bhatt has given fans a clear sign that the world is still growing. She posted an Instagram Story wishing the team — and she did it wearing the one image that identifies the film instantly: its eye mask.
“happy 8 years to the entire Tumbbad team,” she wrote, tagging people associated with the 2018 film. The story featured the distinctive eye mask from the world of Tumbbad, which immediately pulled the anniversary post into the conversation around the sequel she is attached to.
Lead actor and producer Sohum Shah replied with a line now being read as a playful nod to her role: “Looks like Hastar has a new favourite. Thank you @aliaabhatt.”
Why the mask matters
Alia Bhatt is already part of Tumbbad 2, but until now the makers have kept her look, character and connection to the original under wraps. By wearing the eye mask, she placed herself inside the original film’s strongest visual shorthand. The mask belongs to the lore around Hastar, the mysterious deity whose story turns the film into a fable about greed and its cost.
That makes the post more than a birthday message. It gives the audience a concrete image to tie to the sequel at a time when there is no trailer, poster or release date. For a franchise built on atmosphere, a single piece of iconography can carry the buzz between announcements. That is why a single anniversary post can generate more immediate talk than a formal update.
Where the franchise stands
The original has had an unusually long life for a Hindi horror-fantasy. Released in 2018, Tumbbad did not open as a mainstream blockbuster. It gradually earned a dedicated following for its folklore, horror and fantasy mix, along with a distinctive visual style. Its 2024 theatrical re-release introduced the film to another set of viewers and strengthened its place among audiences.
On the sequel, here is what is officially on record:
- The original: A 2018 cult favourite about a family’s connection with a mysterious deity.
- The comeback: A 2024 re-release that widened its audience and reinforced demand.
- The sequel: Sohum Shah is associated with Tumbbad 2, and Adesh Prasad is set to direct.
- The tagline: Pralay Aayega has already added to anticipation.
- Still unknown: The sequel’s storyline, full cast and release timeline have not been shared.
What to watch next
The anniversary exchange is early social buzz, not an official production update. The next real milestone would be a teaser, a poster or a character reveal that tells us how Alia Bhatt fits into the world of Hastar. Until then, the eye mask has done its job: it has reminded fans why they care about Tumbbad and given them one more visual to speculate about while they wait.
Expect the producers to use that goodwill. Tumbbad is proof that a folklore-driven story can grow beyond its opening, and the sequel’s slow-burn marketing appears designed to keep the mystery alive rather than answer everything early.
Source: bollywoodhungama.com