A special screening of Barah by Barah was organized in Kolkata by Gaurav Madan, the director, and writer, and Sunny Lahiri, the writer, cinematographer, and producer. The actors Harish Khanna, Bhumika Dube, and Geetika Vidya graced the occasion. The producers made sure that everyone attending this special event will remember it, emphasizing the important roles played by the actors and crew in making Barah by Barah a reality.

Released on May 24, director Gaurav Madan’s moving feature directorial debut, Barah by Barah, made its global premiere and won praise at over 40 film festivals. One of the rarest Indian films, it is set in Varanasi and features a unique and startling perspective from the perspective of the last surviving death photographer in the historic city. The film was shot on 16mm film.

When Gaurav visited Varanasi, he met a real death photographer and thought the subject had “immense cinematic potential”. The film is praised by critics for its atmospheric, strikingly beautiful, and subtle depiction of “traditionality in conflict with modernity” during its festival run.

The film had its World/India premiere at IFFK, Kerala, and its International premiere at the Shanghai International Film Festival. It has won top awards at various film festivals including the FIPRESCI India (Grand Prix, Best Film), Pune International Film Festival (Best Director), and Diorama IFF (Best Indian Feature Film). The film has a powerhouse star cast, including Gyanendra Tripathi (TVF’s Half CA), Geetika Vidya Ohlyan (Netflix’s Soni), Harish Khanna (Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail), Bhumika Dube (Motichoor Chaknachoor, Your honor), Akash Sinha and others.

“I’m from the little Haryana town of Jagadhri. Because the government decided to extend the nearby highway, my parents were forced to part with our ancestral home. Before my eyes, the house was destroyed, and we were forced to relocate to a boring housing colony. The whole town now appears lifeless, a replica of a large metropolis. Of course, progress is important, but a part of me longs for the nostalgia and small-town charm of the past. This is a personal story that I think will resonate with anyone grappling with change, told through the lens of a novel protagonist” said writer-director Gaurav Madan.

Barah by Barah is written by Gaurav Madan and Sunny Lahiri. It is produced and presented by Jignesh Patel’s Amdavaad Pictures, an acclaimed production house based out of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The film was theatrically released, pan-India, on 24th May by Shiladitya Bora’s Platoon Distribution (Sir, Court, Ghode Ko Jalebi Khilane Le Ja Riya Hoon).

A good film to watch this weekend.

Priyanka Dutta