Filmmaker Aanand L. Rai has opened up about his decision to not be associated with Tumbbad 2, despite backing the critically acclaimed 2018 horror-fantasy film. While the sequel is already generating excitement among fans, Rai revealed that his absence from the project is purely due to creative reasons.
Speaking about his decision, the filmmaker shared that he always believed Tumbbad had reached a satisfying conclusion and didn’t feel the need to extend its story.
“For some reason, I am not associated with it, and those are creative reasons. Tumbbad is a fantastic film, but I felt that the story had reached such a beautiful destination that I didn’t want to take it any further. I wish the new team all the very best, but I prefer to choose the films I genuinely want to be part of,” Rai said.
Aanand L. Rai’s Colour Yellow Productions was one of the producers of the original Tumbbad, which has since attained cult status. Although the film underperformed during its initial theatrical run, its re-release introduced it to a wider audience and cemented its reputation as one of Indian cinema’s finest horror films.
The upcoming Tumbbad 2 will move ahead without Rai’s involvement. The sequel is expected to feature Alia Bhatt and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in pivotal roles and is currently eyeing a December 3, 2027 theatrical release.
Meanwhile, Rai said he is focused on his upcoming directorial ventures and is also exploring documentaries as a new creative avenue. Fresh off recent recognition for his work, the filmmaker believes this is the right time to pursue stories that resonate with him personally rather than revisiting completed narratives.
Whether Tumbbad 2 can recreate the eerie magic of its predecessor remains to be seen, but one thing is clear Aanand L. Rai believes some stories are best left exactly where they ended
