Filmmaker Rahi Anil Barve, who made a strong impression with his 2018 cult hit Tumbbad, is set to return to theatres with his next feature film, Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion. While Tumbbad fused folklore and mythology with a dark, atmospheric treasure hunt, Mayasabha revisits the enduring human obsession with gold in a contemporary setting. The film’s title — drawn from the words maya (illusion) and sabha (assembly) — reflects its thematic core, where appearances are deceptive and reality is constantly in flux.
Language plays a central role in shaping the film’s mood. The dialogues are marked by layered meanings and deliberate wordplay, using sharp turns of phrase to deepen the narrative. Rather than serving as mere exposition, the spoken word becomes an essential element of the film’s tension and atmosphere.
Actor Jaaved Jaaferi headlines the cast in what is being described as a transformative performance. The veteran actor has called the role the most fulfilling experience of his four-decade-long career and has expressed keen anticipation for audiences to see him in this new avatar. He is joined by Mohammad Samad, who returns to Barve’s cinematic world after appearing as a child actor in Tumbbad, now reintroduced in a markedly different role.
As it prepares for a theatrical release, Mayasabha is positioned as a significant step forward in Barve’s filmmaking journey. Combining a gripping narrative centred on the pursuit of gold with a carefully constructed, language-driven screenplay, the film promises an unsettling exploration of illusion and reality, where every word is loaded with meaning.
