Weeks after mid-day reported that Tumbbad 2 is in the works (Khatarnaak combo, March 4), it’s time for Nawazuddin Siddiqui to step into the world of fear and folklore. We’ve heard that the actor and Sohum Shah, who is co-producing the sequel, will kick off the shoot in Madh Island today with an elaborate opening sequence that involves 200 people.

Adesh Prasad, who was one of the writers on Tumbbad (2018), is directing the second part. “On the first day, the crowd will be smaller, but by March 28 and 29, the scale will increase. A massive crowd sequence is being shot. Adesh wanted to start with the opening sequence itself; it is designed as a major set-piece that establishes the scale of the world imagined,” said a source. 

A few days ago, Siddiqui and Shah were spotted in Madh Island, where the set was being built over weeks. Details about Siddiqui’s role remain under wraps, but the source indicated that his character has dark shades. “It’s not a straightforward antagonist. Sohum has been involved at every stage — from script development to building the film’s look.”