India, Sept. 12 -- The first thing that hooks you to The Fable (releasing in India as Jugnuma) is the opening frame itself. Shot on film, a rarity today, it immediately sets the mood. Glossy widescreen frames may look impressive, but when the setting is the 1980s, the masterstroke lies in the choice of format. The grainy texture of the stock suits a story that calls itself a fable, and the makers are careful not to smooth it over. The effect is a sense of magic and story coming alive.

Jugnuma is not a run-of-the-mill film. The only familiar presence is Manoj Bajpayee, whose mainstream success in the OTT world has given him the freedom to experiment. Raam Reddy's film benefits immensely from that. Viewers may arrive for Manoj, but they st...