Hotel Salvation

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!

A poetic yet very realistic, rather incredibly humane and enthralling meditation on life, death and karma, set and shot in Varanasi, India. The film is based on the author's experiences backpacking around his home country and stumbling upon hotels where some Hindus go to die.

It was more than a pleasure to meet and have a chance to talk to the very talented and sensitive young Indian director Shunhashish Bhutiani. His debut feature at the age of 26 has an all star Indian cast (kudos to Adil Hussain - Life of Pi - and Lalit Bhel - Tetli).

The film follows a real story of father and son who go to one of these hotels on the banks of the Ganges looking for salvation. What was meant to be the end of it all turns into an enlightening journey of self discovery and family bonding. Sounds rather heavy when reading the synopsis, but having attended the premiere of Hotel Salvation at the BF LondonI, I was emotionally humbled by this story with the perfect balance between drama and comedy, turning it into a colourful, humorous and enlightening experience. Not to mention the amazing cinematography, with wide shots of the Ganges, its people, boats and rituals.

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 is a tale of spiritual realisations of a family which is not a fresh subject in Indian cinema although the script along with the cast delivers an impactful one and half hours.

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!