Rahi Anil Barve Biography: Wife, Age, Kids, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Movies, Tumbbad
Rahi Anil Barve is an Indian filmmaker, writer, screenwriter, animator, and visual-effects artist best known for the acclaimed folk-horror film Tumbbad.
Born in Mumbai in 1979, he developed a passion for storytelling at an early age and later taught himself filmmaking after leaving school.
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His distinctive visual style has earned international recognition through films such as Manjha, Tumbbad, and Mann Pishach.
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Name: | Rahi Anil Barve |
| Born: | June 4, 1979 (age 47 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Ethnicity: | 75% Konkanastha Brahmin, 25% Afghan |
| Height: | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) |
| Religion: | Atheist |
| Parents: | Anil Barve, Prerna Barve |
| Occupation: | Filmmaker, Director, Writer, Screenwriter, Animator, Visual Effects Artist |
| Net Worth: | $2 million |
Early life and education
Rahi Anil Barve was born on June 4, 1979, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He was born to Marathi writer Anil Barve and Prerna Barve, who worked as a banker.
His father was an influential literary figure, while his maternal family also had strong connections to Maharashtra’s cultural and artistic circles. His grandfather was the celebrated folk poet and activist Amar Sheikh, and his aunt was writer Malika Amar Sheikh.
Barve grew up in Mumbai’s Shivaji Park and developed a fascination for stories, visual imagery, and cinema from childhood. He has spoken about being dyslexic and struggling academically. He failed his Class 10 examinations and left formal schooling afterward.
He later taught himself animation and visual effects, eventually developing professional skills that allowed him to work on international productions.
Career
Rahi Anil Barve began his professional working life by taking various jobs after leaving school. He eventually entered the animation and visual-effects industry, where he developed expertise as a 3D animator and visual artist.
His technical experience later became extremely valuable when he began creating his own films.
Barve’s first major filmmaking project was Manjha, a 45-minute short film that he made independently. The film explored child abuse and survival through a dark, highly visual narrative.
Released in 2008, Manjha won the Golden Conch for Best Fiction Film at the Mumbai International Film Festival, as well as the award for Best First Film of a Director. The film later attracted the attention of Danny Boyle, who selected it as a special feature for the Blu-ray release of Slumdog Millionaire.
Barve spent many years developing the idea that eventually became Tumbbad. The project originated from a story he conceived when he was very young and underwent numerous revisions and production difficulties.
He created an enormous storyboard and spent years searching for producers willing to finance the unusual period folk-horror story.
Tumbbad finally reached cinemas in 2018 after years of development. Barve directed the film alongside Anand Gandhi and collaborated on the screenplay.
The film stars Sohum Shah as Vinayak Rao and combines Indian mythology, horror, fantasy, historical settings, and themes surrounding greed and human desire. Its distinctive production design, atmosphere, visual effects, and storytelling received widespread critical acclaim.
Tumbbad also became an important international festival title. It premiered during the International Critics’ Week section at the Venice International Film Festival and later received recognition at several international festivals.
Barve and the creative team won Best Film at the CinemAsia Film Festival, while the film also received multiple nominations at major Indian and international awards.
Following the success of Tumbbad, Barve continued developing ambitious projects rather than immediately producing conventional commercial films. His later work includes Mayasabha, a dark period drama featuring Jaaved Jaaferi, which took several years to develop before reaching audiences in 2025.
Barve has also been involved in Gulkanda Tales and Rakt Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom, projects that continue his interest in fantasy, mythology, unusual worlds, and unconventional storytelling. His 2026 film Mann Pishach further expands his work in dark and experimental cinema.
Awards and honors
- Mumbai International Film Festival — Golden Conch for Best Fiction Film, Manjha — 2008
- Mumbai International Film Festival — Best First Film of a Director, Manjha — 2008
- CinemAsia Film Festival — Best Film, Tumbbad — 2019
- Critics’ Choice Film Awards India — Best Director nomination, Tumbbad — 2019
- Filmfare Awards — Best Film (Critics) nomination, Tumbbad — 2019
- Screen Awards — Most Promising Debut Director nomination, Tumbbad — 2019
- Zee Cine Awards — Best Debut Director nomination, Tumbbad — 2019
Personal life
Rahi Anil Barve is 47 years old and has maintained a highly private personal life. He has not publicly established a marriage or long-term relationship, and there is no reliable public information confirming children.
Barve has described himself as an atheist and has openly identified himself as 75% Konkanastha Brahmin and 25% Afghan. He has also spoken about his struggles with dyslexia, depression, addiction, financial difficulties, and the long process of bringing Tumbbad to the screen.
His height is approximately 175 cm (5 ft 9 in).
Net worth
Rahi Anil Barve has an estimated net worth of $2 million. His wealth has been accumulated from his work as a filmmaker, writer, animator, visual-effects artist, and creative professional.
His career in animation and visual effects provided his early professional foundation, while Tumbbad and his subsequent film and television projects established him as a distinctive filmmaker in Indian cinema.
Social media
- Instagram: @rahianilbarve
Filmography
- Manjha — 2008
- Tumbbad — 2018
- Mayasabha — 2025
- Mann Pishach — 2026
- Gulkanda Tales — upcoming
- Rakt Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom — upcoming
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