Jugnuma: The Fable

Jugnuma: The Fable
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRaam Reddy
Written byRaam Reddy
Produced byPratap Reddy
Sunmin Park
Guneet Monga
Anurag Kashyap
Ganesh Shetty
Starring
CinematographySunil Borkar
Edited bySiddharth Kapoor
Raam Reddy
Production
companies
Prspctvs Productions
Maxmedia
Sikhya Entertainment
Flip Films
Distributed byCinépolis
Release dates
  • 16 February 2024 (2024-02-16) (Berlinale)
  • 12 September 2025 (2025-09-12) (India)[1]
Running time
118 minutes[2]
CountriesIndia
United States
LanguagesHindi
English
Box office₹0.40 crore[3]

Jugnuma – The Fable is a 2024 drama film directed by Raam Reddy, starring Manoj Bajpayee,[4] Deepak Dobriyal, Priyanka Bose, Hiral Sidhu, Awan Pookot[5] and Tillotama Shome. The film has been produced by Prspctvs Productions, co-produced by Maxmedia and Sikhya Entertainment, and distributed by Flip Films. The film is presented by Academy Award Winner Guneet Monga and Anurag Kashyap.[6]

The film made history by becoming the first Indian film to win Best Film at the 38th Leeds International Film Festival[7] in the United Kingdom, and also won the Special Jury Award at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024. It had its world premiere at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival[5] on February 16, 2024, in the prestigious Encounters segment—marking only the second Indian film in the last 30 years to compete in a key competitive section of the Berlinale.[8]

The film released theatrically in India on 12 September 2025.[9][10]

Plot

Set in the spring of 1989, the story follows Dev and his family living in a colonial mansion atop a Himalayan cliff. Their peaceful life on a vast fruit orchard estate is disrupted when Dev discovers mysteriously burnt trees. As more trees are destroyed, tensions rise. Suspicion falls on passing nomads, and a corrupt sheriff complicates the investigation. Despite his desperate efforts to control the situation, more fires erupt. Deep in the darkness, in the silence of the night, answers begin to emerge. Will Dev finally realise who he and his family really are?

Cast

Release

The film had its world premiere at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival on February 16, 2024, where it competed in the Encounters segment. It is notable as only the second Indian film in the past 30 years to feature in one of the Berlin Film Festival's key competitive sections.[11]

The film will release theatrically on 12 September 2025.[12]

Year Country Festival Category Award
2025 USA New York Indian Film Festival[13]
Indian Film Festival of L.A
India Cinévesture International Film Festival[14]
2024 Germany 74th Berlin International Film Festival Encounters
India MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024 South Asia Competition Special Jury Award
International Film Festival of Kerala Kaleidoscope
Spain SEMINCI film festival
The United Kingdom Leeds International Film Festival Feature Film Competition Winner[15]
France Festival des 3 Continents - Nantes Nominated[16]
Singapore Singapore International Film Festival[17]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 13 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.2/10.[18] Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express gave 3.5 stars out of 5 and said that "Manoj Bajpayee-starrer is at it most piercing when it is gentle. It weaves in the prosaic, the quotidian, with quiet strokes of magical realism."[19] Renuka Vyavahare of The Times of India rated it 4/5 stars and stated that "Raam Reddy’s fantasy-fuelled mystery is a tender love letter to the mountains and the unhurried life — the one we traded for ambition long ago."[20] Anuj Kumar of The Hindu observed that "Perched somewhere between magic and realism, filmmaker Raam Reddy spins an evocative cautionary tale of ecological and social decay in his sophomore film ‘Jugnuma: The Fable’."[21]

Rahul Desai of The Hollywood Reporter India commented that "Raam Reddy’s second feature is a myth-busting triumph of beauty and curiosity."[22] Deepa Gahlot of Rediff.com gave 3 stars out of 5 and said that "Jugnuma has the unhurried pace of a stroll at dusk through the hills and the quiet delight in coming across jugnus (fireflies) twinkling in the trees."[23] Vineeta Kumar of India Today rated it 3/5 stars and writes that "'Jugnuma: The Fable', a slow-burn mystery that ties magic, realism, and metaphor. It lingers long after viewing, but its meditative pace may not appeal to everyone."[24]

Lachmi Deb Roy of Firstpost rated it 3.5/5 stars and said that "The movie makes you understand that what truly belongs to you, comes back to you and nature has a way of saying that in the most harshest possible way. Jugnuma makes us believe that is time to celebrate independent cinema."[25] Rishabh Suri of Hindustan Times rated it 3/5 stars and said that "Overall, Jugnuma shows that a fable is not just about magic but about the truths hidden within the everyday. It leaves you with questions, images, and a mood that lingers far longer than the runtime."[26] Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in observed that "The use of an analogue-era shooting medium combined with the vintage-y colourisation give the film a lush, tactile quality rarely seen in Indian films. At least in its compositions, if not always in its encounters between confused humans, Jugnuma achieves the expectations set up by the mysterious man and his magnificent wings in the opening scene."[27]

Radhika Sharma of NDTV rated it 3/5 stars and said that "Jugnuma blends reality and reverie with the most gorgeous visuals of the mountains, clouds, trees, and streams, with fireflies or jugnu in Hindi as a leitmotif."[28] Devesh Sharma of Filmfare rated it 4/5 stars and said that "Beyond its aesthetic and technical achievements, the film explores deeper themes. It critiques the colonial hangover of the landed gentry, suggesting that generational wealth often remains disconnected from India’s fabric. Classism is so ingrained they’re unaware of it. It advocates for returning forests to local communities, who are better suited to nurture them. Themes of conservatism and environmental exploitation intertwine with mountain mysticism, crafting a slow-burning, evocative tale."[29]

Kabir Singh Bhandari of The Free Press Journal rated it 3/5 stars and said that "Overall, the movie has a calming effect, and that can be said both in terms not only of its content, but also of its promotions- it has won several international prestigious awards and at the same time it doesn’t involve some overly muscled idiot walking in slow motion expecting us to clap that they have arrived."[30] Nonika Singh of The Tribune gave it 3.5 stars out of 5 and said that "Though the film moves languidly, there is a sense of urgency, a premonition that engulfs you just as fires would."[31] Sahir Avik D’souza of The Quint rated it 3/5 stars and stated that "In its gentle epiphanies & faith in the fanciful stories of childhood, M. Night Shyamalan would be proud of Jugnuma."[32] Debanjan Dhar of Outlook rated it 3.5/5 stars and writes that "A fabulously imaginative film, The Fable lulls and unnerves, rambling through storytelling, legacy and memories with a gentle, whimsical and dark spirit."[33]

References

  1. ^ "Manoj Bajpayee's 'Jugnuma' to hit theatres on September 12; film shines at global festivals". The Times of India. 25 August 2025. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  2. ^ "JUGNUMA (THE FABLE) Certification Record". Central Board of Film Certification. 9 September 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  3. ^ "Jugnuma Box Office Collection". Bollywood Hungama. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  4. ^ PTI (22 January 2024). "Manoj Bajpayee-starrer 'The Fable' in Encounters segment of Berlinale 2024". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  5. ^ a b "'The Fable': Manoj Bajpayee Starrer To Have Its Premiere At 74th Berlin International Film Festival". ABP Live. 22 January 2024. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Filmmakers Anurag Kashyap, Vetrimaaran, LJP unite for Manoj Bajpayee's 'Jugnuma' trailer launch". @mathrubhumi. 30 August 2025. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  7. ^ "Manoj Bajpayee Starrer The Fable Becomes The First Indian Film To Win Best Film At the 38th Leeds International Film Festival UK". Outlook India. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Manoj Bajpayee's 'The Fable' is only the second Indian film in the last 30 years to premiere in Berlinale". The Times of India. 22 January 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Guneet Monga Kapoor, Anurag Kashyap To Present Manoj Bajpayee's 'Jugnuma'; Raam Reddy Directorial Locks September 12 Release". The Hollywood Reporter India. 25 August 2025. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  10. ^ "Manoj Bajpayee's 'Jugnuma' to hit theatres on September 12; film shines at global festivals". The Times of India. 25 August 2025.
  11. ^ "'Jugnuma' Trailer: Manoj Bajpayee Takes Flight in Raam Reddy's Stunning Return". The Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  12. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (25 August 2025). "Manoj Bajpayee, Raam Reddy's Berlinale Film 'The Fable' Lands Guneet Monga Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap as Presenters (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  13. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (21 April 2025). "James Ivory Documentary, Manoj Bajpayee Starrer to Headline New York Indian Film Festival's 25th Anniversary Slate". Variety. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  14. ^ https://ciff.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CIFF-2025-Catalogue-1.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. ^ "LIFF 2024: Jury Winners Announced". www.leedsfilm.com. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  16. ^ "The Fable". Festival des 3 Continents. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  17. ^ "The Fable - SGIFF". sgiff.com. 22 October 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  18. ^ "The Fable". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  19. ^ Gupta, Shubhra (12 September 2025). "Jugnuma The Fable movie review: Manoj Bajpayee delivers one of his all-time best performances". The Indian Express. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  20. ^ Vyavahare, Renuka (12 September 2025). "Jugnuma Movie Review: A riveting flight of fantasy". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  21. ^ Kumar, Anuj (12 September 2025). "'Jugnuma: The Fable' movie review: Manoj Bajpayee makes Raam Reddy's meditative exploration of human hubris and guilt fly". The Hindu. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  22. ^ Desai, Rahul (12 September 2025). "'Jugnuma – The Fable' Movie Review: A Bewitching Brew of Superstition and Storytelling". The Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  23. ^ Gahlot, Deepa (12 September 2025). "Jugnuma Review: A Quiet Delight". Rediff.com. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  24. ^ Kumar, Vineeta (12 September 2025). "Jugnuma The Fable review: Manoj Bajpayee's film is magic, but not for everyone". India Today. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  25. ^ Roy, Lachmi Deb (12 September 2025). "'Jugnuma' Movie Review: Manoj Bajpayee-Deepak Dobriyal's terrific performances stood out in this beautifully restrained way of storytelling". Firstpost. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  26. ^ Suri, Rishabh (12 September 2025). "Jugnuma review: Manoj Bajpayee soars in Raam Reddy's dreamscape where magic meets everyday life". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  27. ^ Ramnath, Nandini (12 September 2025). "'Jugnuma' review: Enchanting visuals in fruit orchard owner's battle with the elements". Scroll.in. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  28. ^ Sharma, Radhika (12 September 2025). "Jugnuma Review: Manoj Bajpayee Turns Birdman In This Interpretation Of A Vivid Dream". NDTV. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  29. ^ Sharma, Devesh (12 September 2025). "Jugnuma Film Review: Magic Realism Meets Magical Manoj Bajpayee". Filmfare. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  30. ^ Bhandari, Kabir Singh (12 September 2025). "Jugnuma (The Fable) Review: Manoj Bajpayee, Deepak Dobriyal, Tillotama Shome In A Tale That Portrays The Power Of Simple Storytelling". The Free Press Journal. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  31. ^ Singh, Monika (12 September 2025). "'Jugnuma – The Fable': Soaring in heights of artistic realism". The Tribune. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  32. ^ D'souza, Sahir Avik (12 September 2025). "Jugnuma: The Fable: A Whimsical Story, Sometimes Compelling, Sometimes Inert". The Quint. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  33. ^ Dhar, Debanjan (12 September 2025). "Jugnuma (The Fable) Review: Raam Reddy's sublime second feature glides between the real and dreamlike". Outlook. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
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