Mahir Kumbhakoni’s short feature, ‘The Tangled Minds’ is a psychological thriller set over a single, tension-soaked weekend — a tightly wound narrative of deception, betrayal and calculated revenge that will leave audiences questioning every motive until its devastating final frame.
By confining the entire narrative to a single location across a single weekend, the film interrogates modern anxieties around trust, technology, ambition, and power — wrapping them inside a story that compels the audience to re-examine every scene once the final revelation is made.
Chilling game of psychological warfare
The Tangled Minds is about a couple arriving at a secluded luxury villa nestled deep in the woods hoping for a romantic escape, however their dreamy plans are abruptly shattered by a seductive and deeply unsettling woman setting off an uneasy three-way standoff that forces the trio into an inescapable psychological arena.
Saurabh Gokhale, Ishita Ganguly, and Meera Joshi headline this intense chamber thriller, delivering performances of raw vulnerability and calculated menace in equal measure. The film is a showcase of intimate, character-driven storytelling that relies entirely on psychological tension rather than spectacle with the tag line – “The most dangerous mind in the room was hers all along.”
Writer, director and producer of The Tangled Minds, Mahir Kumbhakoni in a one-on-one interaction with Paresh B Mehta, Editor of Filmytown.com speaks about his peace of art.
As regards to your Bollywood Career and the craft – From medicine to an MBA and the corporate world—at what point did the “spark” for audio-visual storytelling actually take over?
I believe artistic instinct is innate, but professional execution requires mastering craft and technology. Though I was always a writer and cinephile, my move from Bangalore to Mumbai pushed me to formalise that passion. I earned a Diploma in Filmmaking from the Institute of Creative Excellence and spent several years refining my skills as an Assistant Director.
Shooting in a single location can be a double-edged sword. How did you and cinematographer Gaurav Kulkarni use the architecture of the villa to keep the visuals from feeling static?
I not only wanted to make a gripping psychological thriller but was always very keen in making a “good looking” film. So when we had gone there for our recce, we noticed that every corner and every object placed in the resort could be interestingly used for framing our shots keeping the beauty and intensity of the film.
In a script driven by deception, what isn’t said is often more important than the dialogue. How did you direct the “silences” between Rohan, Freeda and Tina to build that three-way tension?
I believe to understand the silences in all our emotions, we, in general need that kind of maturity in our personality. So everything you see in my script and direction is somewhat a part of me or my perception about life. And it is always about “how” you explain everything to the actors rather than “what” you explain. Plus, I was extremely fortunate to have such brilliant actors like Saurabh Gokhale, Meera Joshi and Ishita Ganguly who made my job very easy as a director.
Psychological thrillers often rely heavily on one or two locations. How did you find a space that felt “claustrophobic” enough to heighten the character tension?
When I started writing the story I was very sure about writing something interesting which happens in a beautiful location within 24 hours. So it had to be a single location and I focused more on sharpening the psychology of my characters.
Swati Bhat – the backbone of The Tangled Minds
For a short film, where did you prioritize your budget to ensure the thriller elements (like sound design or specific lighting) felt high-stakes?
I was always very sure and adamant on what I wanted to show and how I wanted my film to be seen. Hence, I did not want to compromise on any physical or technical element whether it’s the location, camera, sound, lights, character looks or anything that could possibly cause a hindrance or diversion to the viewers experience. So I was prepared with the budget required for it before starting the project. My Executive Producer Swati Bhat did an excellent job in providing everything that I wanted within the budget and without compromising on any factor. Extremely fortunate to have her as she is the backbone of this movie.
Commonly, the psychological thrillers use light to signal shifts in mood. Whereas in The Tangled Minds, you have deliberately used a specific bright, colourful and visual palette all throughout to distinguish the “romantic escape” at the start from the “psychological arena” at the end. Comment.
Well, the movie starts with a very romantic mood and eventually changes its colours. But as it is the same location, I wanted to keep everything natural and focus more on the psychology of the characters and the performances of actors as when that is strong we do not usually need any external support of light or any other element to enhance or change the moods.
You served as Writer, Director, and Producer. What was the most difficult moment where your “Producer” brain had to argue with your “Director” brain?
The producer brain had already surrendered to the director in me and that’s when I decided to make this film exactly how I wanted to show, without any compromise.
In an era of big-budget blockbusters, why do you think audiences are still so drawn to intimate, claustrophobic stories?
Simple, because it is relatable (his short film The Tangled Minds)!
Why keep the corporate betrayal and “Michael” off-screen? Is this a setup for a sequel?
Well, anything is possible in my tangled mind! So you never know! 😉
- Ends
The Witness – short film review
Credits of – The Tangled Minds:
Written, Directed & Produced by: Mahir Kumbhakoni
Executive Producer: Swati Bhat
Cinematographer: Gaurav Kulkarni
Starring: Saurabh Gokhale, Ishita Ganguly, Meera Joshi
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