Anupama Chopra reviews Dug Dug, the debut feature from writer-director Ritwik Pareek — a clever, colourful social satire about myth-making, the very fine line between faith and superstition, and how belief shapes the world. Inspired by real-life incidents in Rajasthan (the Om Banna shrine near Jodhpur), the film follows what happens after a man named Thakur dies in a freak motorcycle accident and his Luna becomes an object of worship. Alcohol becomes the offering of choice, a makeshift shrine becomes a pilgrimage spot, and a new religion sprouts with the energy of a carnival — even as priests, politicians, and the local decrepit Raja collude to commercialise faith. Anupama unpacks how Ritwik, with cinematographer Aditya S. Kumar, builds frames exploding with colour — twinkling lights, prayer flags, and a giant pink balloon underlining the hallucinatory textures of the events unfolding. Editor Bijith Bala constructs a throbbing rhythm of montages that carries the film through a repetitive second hour, propped up by the pulsating, hypnotic original score from Salvage Audio Collective. After premiering at Toronto in 2021, Dug Dug has finally reached theatres with the backing of producers Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Nikkhil Advani and Vasan Bala. The film stretches its welcome, but Anupama says it has artistry, ambition, and a director worth watching out for. Watch the full review for the THR India bottomline.