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.