Mayasabha — The Hall of Illusion (2026) [Film Review]: An absorbing concept that strains patience

Rahi Anil Barve’s Mayasabha is an atmospheric Bollywood psychological thriller that boasts a compelling premise and strong performances but struggles to sustain momentum.

About the Movie

A theatrical set-up, intimate stakes

Directed and written by Rahi Anil Barve, Mayasabha is set largely inside an abandoned cinema where a failed producer, Parmeshwar Khanna (Jaaved Jaaferi), lives with his son Vasu (Mohammad Samad). The arrival of Zeenat (Veena Jamkar) and her brother Ravrana (Deepak Damle) turns the decaying hall into a pressure cooker of suspicion, desire and competing agendas.

Story & Structure

A treasure hunt that becomes a tense standoff

At heart, the film tracks Parmeshwar’s obsession with a rumored hoard of gold hidden beneath the theatre — a delusion that has cost him his career and much of his sanity. When Zeenat and Ravrana enter, ostensibly as allies but clearly with their own motives, the narrative shifts into a protracted psychological standoff. The confined setting works as a metaphor for memory, ruin and fixation, but the screenplay often lingers on mood at the expense of forward drive. The premise grips initially; over time, the film’s deliberate pacing feels more like circling than deepening.

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Performances

Actors who rescue the stillness

The cast is the movie’s lifeline. Jaaved Jaaferi gives a layered portrayal of Parmeshwar — restrained, haunted and never melodramatic. Mohammad Samad provides a grounded counterpoint as Vasu, offering the film its most empathetic moments. Veena Jamkar’s Zeenat and Deepak Damle’s Ravrana inject spark and unpredictability whenever they appear, making their scenes some of the film’s liveliest. Their interactions suggest a more taut film than what ultimately unfolds.

What Works

Atmosphere, production design and intent

Barve’s aesthetic sensibility is evident: the abandoned cinema is richly textured, and the production design turns dust, shadows and locked doors into character. The film’s serious tone and ambition are admirable — it aspires to be a thoughtful, brooding piece rather than a crowd-pleasing thriller. For viewers who value mood, visual composition and actor-driven moments, Mayasabha offers enough to appreciate.

What Falters

Pacing, repetition and underdeveloped arcs

The chief issue is the film’s inability to expand its central idea. Scenes often overstay their welcome, conversations loop around the same emotional beats, and metaphor is reiterated rather than explored. Silence and stillness are used frequently, but they rarely translate into revelation or catharsis. As a result, engagement slips; the movie commands respect, but not always investment.

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Final Verdict

A respectful experiment that may test casual viewers

Mayasabha is a respectable, sometimes striking exercise in restraint and atmosphere anchored by committed performances, particularly from Jaaved Jaaferi. Yet its contemplative tempo and repetitive tendencies mean it will reward a patient, cinema-savvy audience more than the average viewer seeking narrative propulsion. For those who appreciate films that prioritize mood and character over plot mechanics, this one is worth a watch. If you want a taut, constantly gripping thriller, however, this may feel like an incomplete promise.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10