Hotel Salvation

Positive points - brilliant performance by Adil Hussain, locales of Kashi and philosophy of the film

negative points - quite slow paced, needs patience.

overall those who can watch a slow paced art film, should go for it.

The young director Shubhashish Bhutiani (26) takes on the hard topic of death with this movie and the conflict that arises once the dilemma between a death in dignity and the everyday life arises.

An old man feels like his time has come and wants to depart from life in a way, that suits him. This of course causes quite a fuss within the family and the lack of understanding of a few other people is unsettling but understanding as well. Palomi Ghosh who plays the daughter is just stunning! You will probably see more of her very soon.

The only negative thing I can say about the movie is, that Hindi seems to bee a pretty fast language, so the subtitles are actually not on screen long enough on a few occasions and also the translation does not seem to be spot on. Luckily the director could clarify my questions in the Q&A after the movie and he said that I'm not the first one who asked these. So bare that in mind, that the translation can cause confusion.

Anyway... Watch out for more from this director!

An amazing movie. So simple, yet so complex. It contrast life with death. There's reconciliation of relationships and coming to terms with the finality of life which is the jubilation of death. Brilliant. It speaks volumes without preaching or philosophizing. Kudos to the team. Wonderful acting. We need more of this from Bollywood.

Mukti Bhawan, as it is originally known, can be seen as a slow-paced look at a man and his attempt at redemption. Much like the film's pace, it takes some time for him to figure out what's up as he moves to near the Ganges with his son (brilliantly played by the talented Adil Hussain) and awaits his death. Shubhashish Bhutiani tries to answer few questions about death and salvation some of which were hard for me to comprehend. Nonetheless, Mukti Bhawan is a decent film that keeps you engaged with its subtle narrative and score but ends at an exclamation mark!

The story itself, of a father sharing his premonitions of an impending death, demanding to be taken to Varanasi to die, is so unique! On top of that, once there, moments where the elderly joke about jealousy when someone dies before them, are absolutely beautiful, and ironic. Adil Hussain, as the man balancing between the stubbornness of his father and the rebellion of his daughter, is absolutely brilliant in showcasing that struggle. This is a movie that stays with you, days after you have watched it. Must-Watch!