Reality has never been simple. The multiple layers of life: emotional, social, political, personal, family and so on all shape an individual. Films portray these nuances through various lenses to showcase the several stories that may have been overlooked. Magical realism, here, blends in subtle, unexplained fantastical elements into an otherwise realistic, everyday world without causing a frenzy. Below are a few recommendations of magical realism on-screen.
Dug Dug
Written and directed by Ritwik Pareek, Dug Dug follows the aftermath of a fatal moped accident involving an alcoholic villager named Thakur, played by Altaf Khan. Rooted in magical realism, the film blends an authentic, grounded rural Rajasthan landscape with this dreamlike, supernatural mystery to illustrate how easily a community's collective anxieties and grief can manifest into a mythical belief system.
Ustad Bantoo
An Indian independent drama directed by Arsh Jain, Ustad Bantoo tracks the life of a modest Delhi wedding band trumpet player who risks everything to discover his own artistic voice. Framed as a warm, dreamlike psychodrama, its central theme explores modern burnout, class and the awakening of the creative spirit.
In The Belly of a Tiger
Driven to absolute desperation, a family must decide who will sacrifice themselves to a hungry local tiger so that the survivors can claim government-issued death compensation. In The Belly of a Tiger, directed by Siddhartha Jatla, blends a critique of modern capitalism and systemic apathy with surreal mythic allegories. The film stars Lawrence Francis as Bhagole, Poonam Tiwari as Prabhata and Sorabh Jaiswar as their son Saharsh.
The Fable
Set in 1989 within the Indian Himalayas, The Fable (also titled Jugnuma) follows Dev, a wealthy orchard owner whose tranquil life unravels when mysterious fires begin systematically destroying his apple trees. The narrative blends folklore and mysticism with socio-political commentary, visually anchored by Dev's bizarre, surreal habit of building and wearing life-sized wooden wings to fly over his estate.
Tumbbad
Tumbbad is a critically acclaimed period folk horror film directed by Rahi Anil Barve along with co-director Adesh Prasad and creative director Anand Gandhi. Set in colonial India, the plot follows a man's multi-generational, obsessive quest to steal golden medallions from the womb of the Earth, which is guarded by a cursed and forgotten god of greed.
The Cinema Travellers
A 2016 documentary directed by Shirley Abraham and Amit Madheshiya, The Cinema Travellers chronicles the fading world of India's travelling tent cinemas. Infused with a sense of magical realism, the documentary captures the cinematic experience as a communal ritual where flickering light transforms rural fairgrounds into spaces of pure wonderment. It portrays the celluloid medium as a vessel for collective dreams and ephemeral magic.
Kantara
Centred on a small tribal community in coastal Karnataka, Kantara is a story of human-nature coexistence. The story follows an intense conflict between a local forest officer, a landlord, and a rebellious protagonist over land rights. The film integrates the sacred, real-world folklore of Bhoota Kola, where local protective deities possess human mediums to deliver justice.
Ghode ko Jalebi Khilane Le Ja Riya Hoon
Directed by Anamika Haksar, Ghode ko Jalebi Khilane Le Ja Riya Hoon is an experimental film capturing the daily struggles and inner worlds of the underbelly of Shahjahanabad in Old Delhi. The film weaves together raw documentary realism and a pastiche of folk stories and dream sequences to blur the line between hardship and magical realism.
Words Shruti Verma
Date 16.10.2026