‘Tumbbad’ Turns Eight: Sohum Shah Launches Official Halloween Merchandise
Eight years after Tumbbad first introduced audiences to its unsettling world of folklore, greed and the mysterious Hastar, the film is finding a new way to connect with fans. Actor and producer Sohum Shah has unveiled an official merchandise collection inspired by the cult horror film, timed to coincide with its anniversary and the Halloween season.
The launch comes amid renewed interest in the Bollywood fantasy-horror title, following its return to cinemas in 2024 and growing anticipation for Tumbbad 2. The new collection gives fans an opportunity to carry elements of the film’s distinctive visual world beyond the screen, while celebrating a story that has continued to attract viewers years after its original release.
Hastar, memorable dialogue and a dark visual identity
Sohum announced the collection on social media, sharing photographs of himself wearing pieces from the range. The designs draw on imagery and lines that have become closely associated with the film, including the warning, “So Jaa Warna Hastar Aa Jayega,” and the phrase “Lalchi Hai Tu.” Visual references to Hastar—the film’s fearsome, mythic presence—also feature in the collection.
“TUMBBAD x HALLOWEEN 💀🫀 Official merchandise is LIVE now! Claim yours on @thenoiseculture. Link in Bio. #8YearsofTumbbad,” Sohum wrote in his announcement.
The merchandise is available through Noise Culture. By using recognisable symbols and dialogue, the range taps into the elements that helped make Tumbbad memorable: its eerie atmosphere, its striking folklore-inspired imagery and its unsettling exploration of human desire. For longtime admirers, the pieces offer a tangible connection to the film; for newer viewers, they provide another entry point into its unusual cinematic universe.
Why ‘Tumbbad’ continues to find new audiences
Released in 2018, Tumbbad blends horror, fantasy and Indian folklore in a story built around wealth, obsession and the consequences of greed. At its centre is Hastar, a mythical entity whose connection to treasure becomes the source of both fascination and danger. Rather than relying only on conventional scares, the film creates unease through its world-building, visual design and slow-building sense of dread.
The film’s initial box-office response was relatively modest, but its reputation grew over time. Viewers and critics increasingly praised its atmospheric storytelling and distinctive production design, helping it develop a devoted cult following. Its enduring appeal also reflects a wider audience appetite for genre films that draw on local legends and cultural traditions while presenting them through ambitious, cinematic storytelling.
That gradual rise in popularity has given Tumbbad a life beyond its first theatrical run. Its 2024 re-release brought the film back to cinemas, allowing existing fans to experience its carefully crafted imagery on the big screen again and introducing the story to a fresh generation of viewers. The return also renewed discussion about the film’s themes and the possibilities of expanding its fictional world.
Merchandise arrives as anticipation builds for ‘Tumbbad 2’
The timing of the collection is significant. The film’s eighth anniversary offers a natural moment to revisit its legacy, while Halloween provides a fitting seasonal backdrop for a story steeped in horror and supernatural folklore. The launch also arrives as audiences look ahead to Tumbbad 2, keeping the franchise in public conversation.
For film franchises, official merchandise can do more than mark an anniversary. It can help sustain fan engagement between releases and give audiences a way to express their connection to a story’s characters, symbols and atmosphere. In Tumbbad’s case, the film’s instantly recognisable mythology provides a strong foundation for designs that speak directly to its fan community.
However, key details about the sequel—including its release date and further story information—have yet to be announced. Until more is revealed, the merchandise launch offers fans a fresh reason to revisit the original film and its haunting vision of ambition and consequence.
A lasting legacy for a folklore-driven horror film
Eight years on, Tumbbad remains notable for carving out a distinctive place in Indian genre cinema. Its blend of folklore, fantasy and horror helped set it apart, while its themes continue to resonate with audiences familiar with the dangers of unchecked desire. The anniversary collection reflects that lasting connection, transforming some of the film’s most recognisable elements into wearable tributes.
With the official range now available through Noise Culture, fans can celebrate the film’s legacy during the Halloween season. And as anticipation for Tumbbad 2 continues, the original story’s growing audience suggests that the world of Hastar still has plenty of power to intrigue—and unsettle—viewers.
