Mayasabha director: Even Sacred Games won’t see the light of the day in today’s times
Ahead of the January 30 release of Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion, director Rahi Anil Barve shared that his other project, Gulkanda Tales, has been stalled for years.
Mayasabha - The Hall of Illusion director Rahi Anil Barve
Last Updated: 04.54 PM, Jan 28, 2026
Rahi Anil Barve directed Tumbbad is widely considered a modern masterpiece of Indian cinema, having achieved cult status for its unique blend of horror, fantasy, and folklore. After receiving a lot of love for Tumbbad, the director is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film, Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion. While discussing the film, Rahi revealed that his other project, Gulkanda Tales, has been stalled for a long time and noted that, in today’s times, Sacred Games wouldn’t get made either.
Is Gulkanda Tales on hold?
Following Tumbbad, the filmmaker’s slate included three projects—Mayasabha, Rakt Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom, and Gulkanda Tales. In every story, Rahi strives to deliver fully immersive experiences.
However, Gulkanda Tales has been stuck for a long time. He said, “I cannot tell stories without building the world in detail. I wish people could see what we have done in Gulkanda Tales. It is an entirely different world."
He further added that he has worked on Gulkanda Tales for five years after Tumbbad. "Everyone asks me what I did all these years. That’s what I did. The show was ready in 2023 and unfortunately has been stuck ever since due to all the reasons. Even Sacred Games won’t see the light of the day in today’s times," he said.
What's the plot of Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion?
Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion, directed by Rahi Anil Barve of Tumbbad, is a Hindi psychological thriller, scheduled for a January 30, 2026, release. It stars Jaaved Jaaferi as a paranoid man living in a deserted Mumbai theatre. The story revolves around a cat-and-mouse game over a secretly documented treasure trove of gold, focusing on the greed and betrayal of the four main characters.
The film primarily takes place inside an abandoned, decaying theatre that serves as a psychological labyrinth. Jaaved Jaaferi plays a man who has withdrawn from society, living in this theatre with his 14-year-old son. The story intensifies when the boy brings two strangers into their isolated world, leading to a tense fight. This film explores the blurred lines between reality and illusion, paranoia and the search for hidden, undiscovered gold. It is marked by dark humor, eerie silences, and high tension.
Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion casts Jaaved Jaaferi, Mohd. Samad, Veena Jamkar, Deepak Damle, and more.
Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion FAQs
Q: When is Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion releasing?
A: Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion will hit theatres on January 30, 2026.
Q: Who directed Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion?
A: Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion is directed by Tumbbad director Rahi Anil Barve.
Q: What is Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion about?
A: Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion, starring Jaaved Jaaferi, is a psychological thriller directed by Rahi Anil Barve, focusing on a group, including a man and his young son, trapped in an abandoned theatre hunting for hidden gold.