Mukti Bhawan
Movie Info
Synopsis
When a 77 year old man, Daya, wakes 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.
Starring Cast
Mukti Bhawan Reviews
8
Beautifully shot and although languidly paced, Bhutiani delivers an evocative drama that has surely got to be one the best films you’ll see this year. I’m going with four out of five.
7
Other than a few faultlines, this is a superb film that shows us how it is entirely possible to die, irradiated by life.
8
In the end, rather than being about the heavy religious stuff, it is about universal human drama. As a father and son reconcile, it is near heart-breaking. As an old man and his grandaughter sneak out for bhang, it tells you that the most devout have mischief in them. Bhutiani gives death its due dignity, and yet retains its objectivity and subtlety. It makes you laugh, and cry, and think and question. It’s what good cinema and storytelling are meant to do.
7
Weaving in this typically Indian absurdity, that we all get and perpetuate, to a rather banal moment is what makes Mukti Bhavan a must watch.
8
Mukti Bhawan is as much about its characters embracing the inevitability of death as it is about their loved ones grappling with conflicting emotions
-
For a meditation on death and salvation, “Mukti Bhawan” is an accomplished effort, and one that must be appreciated.
7
The plot is too skimpy and with its languid pacing, the movie eventually seems a bit indulgent. The filmmaker’s exposure to slow, contemplative festival films becomes apparent. But the unassuming characters and the humour make it a delightful watch.If in-your-face Bollywood blockbusters have bored you to death, Mukti Bhawan is your salvation.
6
A celebration of death and old age that works in parts...
7
Mukti Bhawan is a life lesson on death itself. Coming from the ghats, this film rises way above its morbid subject.
10
Though this film tells us why death need not be feared, I came away from it feeling a profound sense of melancholy . It makes us experience the final futility of life without disrespecting the art of living.And that’s no small achievement.
8
A heartwarming tragicomic tale about life, death and reconciliation...
7
'Mukti Bhawan' is brilliant, funny, life affirming tale about death, which is supported by a superb script and a flawless cast. Watch it!
5
'Mukti Bhawan' promises to lead you to the path of salvation but thanks to its slow narrative and repetitive scenes the movie ends up as a half road to salvation.
-
Shubhashish Bhutiani’s film undercuts its heavy subject with humour and grace...
10
Though this film tells us why death need not be feared, I came away from it feeling a profound sense of melancholy. It makes us experience the final futility of life without disrespecting the art of living. And that's no small achievement.
7
Despite this annoyance, Mukti Bhawan's take on death is what makes the film worth a watch. It isn't an Anand-esque take, neither is it all morose. It is a tone of acceptance.You don't expect ordinary lives to have an extraordinary end. That makes this small film larger than film – more because not many talk of life and death with this spiritual sense.
Audience Reviews for Mukti Bhawan
-
Released by the name 'Hotel Salvation' overseas, Mukti Bhawan is one ddelightful example of go with the flow filmmaking.
Director-writer Shubhashish Bhutiani, believe me, has crafted a miraculous story of wonder and excitement, but also with metaphorical ideas and universal messaging. The film captures a captivating father-son relationship. The father, Daya, thanks to a dream, knows that his time is up from the world and wants his son Rajiv to escort him to Benaras, where he will die and attain salvation.
But many, many days and this doesn't happen. The father has even found a companion called Vimla, a 75 year old woman! But he is still reluctant to return. And meanwhile, Rajiv is torn asunder, and confused, whether to be a good son and remain there, or be a good husband and father to return to his home and live as the family man.
This is a rare film which deconstructs marvelously and tells the story in broadest of strokes. The cinematographers Michael McSweeney and David Huwiler pay utmost attention to the film's most textured details. This film is an ultimate entertainer with strong, meaningful depth and a story told with conviction. Added to the glory are the performances of Lalit Behl as Daya and Adil Hussain as Rajiv, both adding their words to the characters. I am going with 3.5 out of 5 for 'Mukti Bhavan'. It's one of the best Hindi films this year.0September 19, 19 -
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!
18October 22, 17
