Sohum Shah on Tumbbad: 'Gen Z wants bold stories'

Sohum Shah, celebrated for his role in the critically acclaimed Tumbbad, recently opened up about the film's enduring impact and the shifting dynamics of cinema audiences, especially among younger viewers.

In an insightful conversation, Shah shared his observations on how Tumbbad resonated with Gen Z audiences and what it reveals about contemporary viewing habits post-Covid.

"I noticed that Tumbbad was watched by many youngsters, the Gen Z kids. They don't want anything predictable. They don't want formula films. Post-Covid, people have been exposed to so much good quality work in international cinema that filmmakers have to work harder to impress the audience," Shah remarked. His reflections underscore a growing appetite among viewers for bold, original storytelling, a hallmark of Tumbbad's haunting narrative and genre-defying style.

Beyond the film's creative achievements, Shah also highlighted the lessons he learned from the re-release of Tumbbad, particularly in the realm of marketing. "I think the year's biggest learning was that I understood marketing a little, which is important for people making independent films. We are passionately making films like Tumbbad and Ship of Theseus. But now I feel we have understood some aspect of marketing with the Tumbbad re-release," he shared.

As he looks forward to 2025, Shah remains hopeful about the trajectory of cinema, placing emphasis on content-driven success. "I hope the New Year keeps up this trend of making content win. That will be the true legacy of 2024 for me," he concluded.

Shah's reflections not only celebrate Tumbbad's success but also shed light on the evolving cinematic landscape where authenticity and originality continue to win audiences over.

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