Exploring the Haunting Themes of ZEE5's Marathi Horror Series 'Andhar Maya'

A Glimpse into 'Andhar Maya'

The picturesque Konkan region of Western India, known for its stunning beaches, lush coconut trees, and vibrant mango orchards, serves as the backdrop for numerous films and shows. In the new series Andhar Maya, this enchanting locale becomes a stage for tales of ghosts and avarice.

This marks ZEE5's inaugural Marathi horror series, where an extended family gathers at their ancestral home to conduct the death rites of a patriarch while contemplating the sale of the property. The long-serving housekeeper, Gonya (played by Kishore Kadam), is delighted to have the entire family together, urging them not to rush their departure.

However, the family reunion is anything but harmonious. Keshav's deceased father, who was known for performing female roles in the local Dashavtar festival, faced ridicule, and Keshav finds himself defending his father's choices against his spiteful cousins, Kartik (Shubhankar Tawde) and Manoj (Omprakash Shinde).

The decision to sell the family home is contentious. Keshav (Anup Belwalkar) opposes the sale, which frustrates Kartik and Manoj. The wives are also divided in their opinions.

Nayana (Shubhangi Bhujbal), reminiscent of a character from Satyajit Ray’s Monihara, is fixated on the division of jewelry, while the expectant Madhavi (Rujuta Bagwe) prefers the spacious family home over her small apartment in Mumbai. Meanwhile, Manoj’s daughter, Sayali (Pihu Gosavi), claims there is a boy lurking in the shadows.

One of the men hints at California, raising the question: is he referring to Hotel California? Do the cousins realize that once they enter, they may never escape?

Bhimrao Mude directs this seven-episode series, based on a narrative by Pralhad Kudtarkar, who also penned the dialogue. The screenplay is crafted by Kapil Bhopatkar. Initially, Andhar Maya is packed with bizarre occurrences, jump scares, and unconventional camera work. The tension is relentless, compounded by the cousins' bickering over the property.

The series gains momentum by its fifth episode. Echoing Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, a malevolent spirit begins to target family members one by one. The mystery unfolds in the final two episodes, which are both thrilling and eerie.

Greed, which Gonya warns against, plays a significant role in the family's unfolding horrors.

While the actors grapple with the heightened melodrama, they find their rhythm as the body count rises. Kishore Kadam shines as Gonya, embodying a character that is both ambiguous and authoritative, serving as the keeper of secrets. When the tension escalates, Kadam truly excels.

Watch the Trailer