Writer Nisha Sabharwal Discusse Her Psychological Thriller, Mala

The psychological thriller “Mala” recently made waves at New York Comic Con (NYCC), hosting the convention’s first-ever Indian-themed panel. The film, which uniquely blends supernatural suspense with elements of ancient Indian tantric practices and mythos, was a significant highlight for fans seeking fresh, globally-inspired horror.

Mala is Supernatural Suspense

The film’s premise centers on Reema, who unexpectedly inherits an abandoned resort on a remote tropical island. Accompanied by a trio of her friends, Reema sets out to uncover the truth behind her inheritance. Upon arrival, the group encounters enigmatic locals, peculiar rituals, and sinister omens, leading Reema to suspect her aunt’s untimely death was anything but accidental.

As Reema delves into the island’s secrets, she discovers that her family’s past is intertwined with an ancient curse involving tantric rituals and forbidden practices. Haunted by visions and cryptic messages from her late mother, Reema must navigate a labyrinth of spiritual awakening, familial betrayal, and moral dilemmas to emerge and morph into her true self. As tensions rise and the rituals grow perilous, Reema and her friends must confront their deepest fears to survive the island’s sinister grip.

The film’s cast, led by Indigo Sabharwal (of Curry Scent) as the title character, also includes Raw Leiba (The Walking Dead), Gisele George (The College Tour), Nikhil Kamkolkar (Love, Love), and Nehru Sabharwal (who plays Shiv). The creative team is helmed by writer, producer, and co-director Nisha Sabharwal (Draupadi Unleashed), and budding director Trishul Thejasvi.

Interview with Mala writer Nisha Sabharwal

In an interview with journalists after the panel, Nisha Sabharwal addressed the core themes of the film and the importance of its unique cultural grounding.

When asked why it was important to have representation for this specific genre, Sabharwal spoke to the depth of Indian spiritual traditions: “Because we have some of the oldest magic in the world. Tantra is older than anything.” She elaborated on the provocative nature of the subject matter, even within Indian culture.

There is a rise of different Asian horror subgenres in the American market, and Mala has asserted its place within the emerging space of Indian horror. The trailer and clips shared at the panel capture the vibe of a classic psychological thriller that films that leaves the audience questioning the reality of the events.

Nisha Sabharwal stated that Mala takes that familiar suspense and adds the rich cultural element: “And then you add to that the Indian culture, which is so rich. I mean, I think color, I think beauty. So I can add beauty to her because I haven’t been in it.” She summed up the film’s style: “It’s not just raw horror. It’s raw horror mixed in with beauty.”

The Power and Peril of Ancient Practices

Sabharwal shared a personal anecdote that highlighted her mixed feelings about delving into tantric traditions for the film. Her initial curiosity stemmed from a set of “very sexually violent” tantric paintings her mother, who was a big antique collector, had kept hidden.

“I started delving into Tantra, reading about it. And what I was learning actually scared me,” Sabharwal confessed. “And I’m glad that I just touched on it, rather than really touched. Got into it. It’s powerful magic. It’s powerful.”

“Mala: Indian Mysticism Permeates the Core of Psychological Thriller” Panel at New York Comic Con. L-R Trishul Thejasvi, Gisele George, Raw Leiba, Indigo Sabharwal, Nirvan Patnaik, Nisha Sabharwal, Nehru Sabharwal and Nikhil Kamkolkar

This sense of a powerful, mysterious force that is best left alone resonated with the journalists. “I love the observation you made about looking at Tantra and being afraid. Kind of instinctively backing away because, you know, they say when you look into something, they look into you,” one journalist remarked.

When asked how making the movie changed her own spirituality, Sabharwal explained that it made her more acutely aware of a “deep dark side” and affirmed her personal choice to “gloss over things” and not want to bring on that darker energy, preferring to focus on the “light.”

Global Ambitions and Local Roots

The creative team expressed clear goals for an international audience, particularly with the film’s unique cultural appeal. Sabharwal noted the previous success of Bollywood films in making top-ten charts in specific North American cities and acknowledged that a market exists.

However, she clarified her decision to make an English-language film rooted in her current life: “I live here. This is my life.” She opted for a Western release rather than an opening in India, where it would have been produced in Hindi.

Speaking about the connection to the characters, Sabharwal drew on her past and childhood, noting that she has seen “a lot of bad people turn from good to bad, or circumstances, or sometimes curses” in her cultural experience.

The positive reception at New York Comic Con suggests that Mala is successfully tapping into a global appetite for culturally rich horror that explores the deepest, and sometimes scariest, aspects of ancient traditions.