Mayasabha-The Hall of Illusion: The Janta is blown away by Rahi Anil Barve’s visual mastery and Jaaved Jaaferi’s powerhouse performance!

From its bone-chilling atmosphere to Jaaved Jaaferi’s career-best performance, the Janta is calling this psychological gold-hunt a 'cinematic masterpiece' you can't miss.

Tumbbad-fame director Rahi Anil Barve, known for crafting immersive visual worlds in his films, returned to the big screen with his second directorial venture, Mayasabha - The Hall of Illusion, starring Jaaved Jaaferi, Mohammad Samad and others last week. The film unfolds in a dilapidated theatre in Mumbai, where a former filmmaker and his son come face to face with two intruders who enter their home chasing rumors of hidden gold in the theatre. Set over the course of a single night the hunt for gold becomes a psychological battle where long-hidden secrets are revealed and old wounds are exhumed. 

The film opened to largely positive reviews by the critics and the sentiment has been echoed by the Janta too who have been lavishing praises on the atmospheric setting of the film, cinematography, and performances of the leads. Viewers have been particularly vocal about the haunting, tactile beauty of the Mumbai theatre, noting that the building itself feels like a living character, heavy with the weight of its own decay.

Also Read: Mayasabha: The Hall of Illusion review: Stellar performances and visuals elevate this Jaaved Jaaferi starrer that falls short of a perfect payoff

Here’s what the Janta is saying about the film!

Mayasabha is a unique experience for me , because you rarely witness such movies and storytelling on big screen , kudos to each and every person who was part of this project , but I was blown away watching the range of @jaavedjaaferi sir , what an artist 💯 #MayasabhaReview

— Aman Kukreja (@amankukreja03) February 1, 2026

#Mayasabha unfolds like a dimly lit room, you don’t see everything at once, but the longer you stay, the more it reveals.
Uneasy & layered! It trusts the viewer to connect the dots rather than drawing the lines for them.@rahianil excels once again🙌#MayasabhaReviewpic.twitter.com/iY2tIV15wA

— FilmLensIndia (@FilmLensIndia) January 31, 2026

#Mayasabha@BarveRahi’s visual mastery shines- stunning cinematography & production design. @jaavedjaaferi & @samad_1975 deliver powerful performances, haunting score mesmerizes, but niche storytelling & editing limits impact. BRAVE EFFORTS!

AMBITIOUS!

3.75/5⭐#MayasabhaReviewpic.twitter.com/xRz6acJYhh

— PRD 𓃵 (@Cinema_With_PRD) January 31, 2026

The film has its moments, an engaging atmosphere, and committed performances, even if it never fully comes together..
Don’t go in expecting another Tumbbad. Still, considering how difficult that benchmark is, the film manages a respectable attempt..#Mayasabha#MayasabhaReview p pic.twitter.com/ZSBCWlqODM

— SanJay Sanju (@SanJay_Sanju24) February 1, 2026

#MayaSabha#MayaSabhaReview

5/5

One of the biggest strengths of Mayasabha is the acting. Every actor delivers a strong performance, and making the story even more believable.

Overall, Mayasabha is a highly gripping film with excellent direction.@BarveRahi - Kudos. 👌🙏👍 pic.twitter.com/ovbSfhatyh

— Lokesh Dilip Jangada - लोकेश दिलीप जांगडा (@lokeshdjangada) February 1, 2026

#Mayasabha#MayasabhaReview
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review video https://t.co/B2AHxWC5bJ

A New Unique Psychological thriller film. 💯
Not Horror ✅
Don't Compare with Tumbbad.

Not For Action Masala Audiences

Director @BarveRahi Salute you
For New Content 🙏 pic.twitter.com/OIBDhfYr4W

— Imran Filmy (@filmy_imran) January 31, 2026

#Mayasabha is like watching greed breathe, blink and smile back at you once again in 'A #RahiAnilBarve Film'.#MayasabhaReview#MayasabhaTheHallOfIllusion#JaavedJaaferi#MohdSamad#VeenaJamkar#DeepakDamle
https://t.co/Q1bpJQaM1k

— Chinmay Nakhwa 🌈 (@ChinmayNakhwa) January 31, 2026

#Mayasabha

BRILLIANT MUST WATCH !!

Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Strong screenplay beseating scenes and dark background keep you hook and wanting what's gonna happen next
a unique way again to handle and captivate audience with art of cinema,that public Demands but don't reach in theatre pic.twitter.com/jIM07Q2yHw

— BOL INDIA POL (@bolindiapol) January 30, 2026

#Mayasabha Visual Story and Cinematography are damn good Specially Performance by all actors specifically Javed Jaffri Damm good performance by him ha but Tumbbad level expectations mat rakhna It's Good Movie 🎥🎥 #Cinema#Review

— Chirag M Soni (@Killer_Pro_69) January 30, 2026

First half: Impressed by the production design & #JaavedJaffrey but not so much by the film. YET. #Mayasabhapic.twitter.com/6ldVAm41vd

— Jyotishree 🍁 (@jyonaya003) January 30, 2026

Mayasabha - The Hall of Illusion is now playing in theaters near you!

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