“Munjya,” the latest installment in Maddock Films’ supernatural universe, has resonated with audiences, garnering a robust opening of Rs 4 crore and projected to exceed Rs 15 crore by the end of its opening weekend. Abhay Varma, the film’s lead actor, has received widespread acclaim for his portrayal. In an exclusive interview with ETimes, Varma discussed how he landed the role, the unique challenges of shooting with CGI, and an eerie experience on set.
Landing the role of Munjya was an extraordinary process for Varma. He shared that the audition for the film was an intense one, spanning six to eight months, which is considerably longer than the usual casting period. Despite the competition, Varma felt a strong connection to the role from the start, driven by a belief in the power of manifestation. He reflected on the nature of an actor’s journey, emphasizing that a majority of the time, actors face rejection. The key, he believes, is to not internalize the setbacks but to remain focused on the opportunities that do come along.
The CGI-heavy nature of “Munjya” presented unique challenges during production. Varma explained that the shooting process was intricate and demanded a significant degree of imagination and observational skill from the actors. Each scene was filmed multiple times: once for VFX, once for the actor’s performance, and once for the lighting and color details. Despite the complexity, Varma described the experience as a thrilling adventure.
On the topic of his co-stars, Varma fondly recounted his rapport with Sharvari Wagh and Mona Singh. He described himself and Sharvari as the pranksters of the set, enjoying a vibrant and energetic synergy. Mona Singh, despite her seniority, brought a youthful spirit to the set, contributing to an environment that Varma found both fun and formative. He expressed that working closely with Sharvari and Mona shaped both his character and personal growth.
During their stay in Konkan for the film’s shoot, Varma and several crew members experienced a peculiar and spooky incident. On their last night at a hotel, Varma unexpectedly woke up at 3 AM and went back to sleep after a few minutes. The next morning at breakfast, he casually mentioned the incident, only to find out that Sharvari, Mona, and other crew members had all woken up at the exact same time. This eerie coincidence, which they now humorously refer to as the “3 AM story,” left them all unsettled at the time, though they now look back on it with a mix of amusement and lingering curiosity.
As “Munjya” continues to captivate audiences, Varma’s reflections provide a glimpse into the passion and hard work behind the scenes, blending the thrills of filmmaking with moments of real-life mystery.
