Mukti Bhavan


Banner: Red Carpet Moving Pictures

Director: Shubhashish Bhutiani

Producer:Sanjay Bhutiani, Shubhashish Bhutiani

Cast: Adil Hussain, Lalit Behl, Navnindra Behl, Palomi Ghosh

Music: Tajdar Junaid 

Cinematography: David Huwiler and Michael McSweeney   

Film Editing: Manas Mittal

Running time: 102 minutes

Release date: 7 April 2017



Story line: When a 77 year old man, Daya, wake up from a strange nightmare , he knows his time is up and he must get to Varanasi immediately in hope of dying there to attain salvation. His dutiful son Rajiv, is left with no choice but to drop everything and make the journey with his stubborn father, leaving behind his wife and daughter.
The two of them check in to Mukti Bhawan, a hotel devoted to people hoping to spend their last few days there. Rajiv finds himself having to live and take care of his father for the first time in his life.
While Rajiv struggles to juggle his responsibilities back home, Daya starts to bloom as he finds a sense of community in the hotel, and companion in the 75 year old Vimla.
As the days go by and Daya shows no sign of letting up, Rajiv faced with the dilemma of whether to remain there with his father or fulfill his duty back home. Rajiv give his father a short of salvation, but as family bonds are tested, he finds torn, not knowing what he must do to keep his life together.


Know more about the captain of the Ship, the director: While studying at a boarding school in Mussoorie, stealing time to watch films—both Hollywood and Bollywood—was Shubhashish Bhutiani’s way of beating boredom.

Encouraging his pursuit, a teacher introduced him to world cinema and, by the age of 16, he was watching three films a day, and clear about his calling.

Mumbai-based Bhutiani was just 21 when he wrote and directed Kush, his thesis film for his undergraduate course at the School of Visual Arts, New York. Set against the backdrop of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the 25-minute film showcased his sensitivity and craftsmanship. It also won him several laurels: An award at the 2013 Venice International Film Festival, the National Film Award for Best Promotional Film (2013) and over 25 international awards. Kush was even shortlisted for the 2014 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.      

My Gut Feel and comments:

“Life asked death, ‘Why do people love me but hate you?’ Death responded, ‘Because you are a beautiful lie and I am a painful truth.”

Mukti Bhawan isa real place in Varanasi where one can stay for 15 days only. One goes there to stay in for the last few days of his life expecting Salvation.

Storyline of movie Mukti Bhawan is simple and interesting presented in realistic, interesting manner which will be appreciated by the audience.

The film is directed by Shubhashish Bhutan who is a young, dynamic intelligent film maker who has been already appreciated for his 25 minute short film named “KUSH” released in 2013.

Even Mukti Bhawan has travelled the world in different different international film festivals and received the due appreciation.

Its release on the 7th of April in India and I am not hopeful if it would reach out to mass audience here as it's not backed by any renowned banner or holding famous star cast or being marketed extensively. Although films like this deserve a lot and should get their dues.  

Going with my gut feeling I am giving Mukti Bhawan, 3.5 stars out of 5, five days before the release.





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