Varanasi

Logline: One man's journey to fulfil his mother's dying wish.

Synopsis

An agnostic engineer sets out for the holy city of Varanasi to alter his mother’s dying wish, but realizes fate is something that can’t be changed.

Inspiration behind concept:

There have been very few commercial films made entirely in Varanasi, which deal with the essence of Varanasi i.e spirituality, fate and god. My connection to this script goes back to my visit to Varanasi back in 2013. Myself and a small cast did some guerilla shooting in Varanasi during the Ganga Mahotsav for my short film “Varanasi” (which won Best Foreign Film at the Atlantic City Film Festival, 2013). During those 3 days of shooting, I had the opportunity to explore the city in‐depth, and it left me spellbound. I knew, instantly, that I had to make a full‐length film with the the city as the main setting. In writing this script, I used some iconic elements I came across during my travels in Varanasi: the ‘ganja’ and ‘hashish’ drugs available freely in the city; the concept of death and moksha on the cremation ghats; the tantriks who seemed to possess supernatural powers; and the incessant stench of religion, spirituality and history everywhere you went in the city.

Projected Cast & Budget

Length/Format: Feature Film (2 hrs)
Status: Screenplay ready.
Produciton Budget: 3 Cr
Marketing: 1 Cr

Why Varanasi?

- Unique Title & Setting
- Universal appeal
- A great script with a unique voice (ready)
- Film can be produced with a minimal budget
- Film has the makings of a breakout hit
- A heartwarming multi-layered family drama.

About the Writer/Director

Siddharth Katragadda is an award-winning Writer/Filmmaker. His short Film "Varanasi" won Best Foreign Film at the Atlantic City Film Festival (2013). He is a Quarterfinalist at the 2016 Page International Screenplay Awards - one of the top Hollywood Screenplay contests. He is also an acclaimed artist with paintings in various international collections.