Jugnuma: The Fable isn’t the kind of film you just watch — it’s something you feel your way through. Directed by Raam Reddy, this slow-burning, atmospheric story follows Dev, played by Manoj Bajpayee, a respected apple orchard owner in 1989, whose seemingly perfect world begins to fall apart when unexplained fires start destroying his land.

But the film isn’t just about what’s burning — it’s about what’s left unsaid. As rumours and tension spread through the village, the story leans into mystery, blurring the line between reality and folklore. Is it protest? Sabotage? Or something more mythical? The film doesn’t give you answers — it lets you sit with the questions.

Manoj Bajpayee is at his quiet, powerful best, portraying a man slowly crumbling under pressure. Deepak Dobriyal, as his loyal manager, adds a layer of calm to the chaos. And while the men carry the weight of the story, it’s the women — especially Priyanka Bose and Tillotama Shome — who bring in moments of warmth and humanity.

What makes Jugnuma stand out is its refusal to make things easy.It asks for your attention, your patience, and your willingness to be okay with not fully "getting it." The visuals, the silences, the symbolism — they stay with you, long after the screen goes dark.

This isn’t a film for everyone. But if you’re the kind of viewer who doesn’t mind sitting with a bit of mystery, who likes to feel more than analyse, Jugnuma has a way of creeping under your skin — and staying there.