'Jugnuma': Hazy fable from Raam Reddy

Set in the late 1980s, the film follows Dev (Manoj Bajpayee), his wife, children, and extended household on an orchard estate in the Himalayas. Dev discovers burnt trees in his orchard. As fires spread mysteriously, both nature and human suspicion threaten not just his land and family, but also his sense of identity.

This is the second directorial of Raam Reddy, known for ‘Thithi’. In 2024, it was adjudged Best Film at 38th Leeds International Film Festival, and received the Special Jury Award at the Mumbai Academy of Moving Images film festival.

In the film, the Himalayan hills aren’t just a backdrop but a character. The landscapes, colonial mansion, orchard, and fires together create a mood that’s beautiful yet ominous.

The movie explores conflict between nature and humans, heritage and individual identity, familial bonds and secrets, and external threats and inner reckoning. Dev’s yearning to break free is central to the theme. The mystery of who is setting the fires, suspicion of outsiders, and corruption add tension.

Bajpayee gives a restrained yet intense performance. Hiral Sadhu, who plays his daughter Vanya, brings freshness. She’s a real-life horse rider and has performed her own stunts in the film. Tillotama Shome as an acquaintance is impressive in her own way. Human relationships woven into the environmental and mystery elements are a strong point of the film.

Shot on analogue film (16 mm), the film looks timeless and delivers a rare sensorial experience, with careful attention to light, colour, and texture. It also walks the line between fantasy, mysticism, drama, and mystery. It makes you think about land, family, legacy, and what you protect.

However, in seeking magic realism or folkloric resonance, it becomes too dreamy and vague. The central premise — the fable and its link to the protagonist — feels flawed.

At times, the film shifts from subtle to confusing, making it unclear if this is deliberate. If you prefer clear storytelling, you may feel lost. Even those who enjoy open-ended films might find it vague.