On June 29, 1792, Neelkanth begins his journey of awakening. Having resolved to embrace the challenges of nature, he leaves his home in the city of Ayodhya. Neelkanth walks alone into the cold stormy night, wearing nothing over his shoulders or under his feet, carrying nothing – no maps, no money, no food – except inner courage, confidence and a silent spiritual strength. At the Saryu River, he enters the cold, raging current. Neelkanth is swept away, leaving behind all that was familiar.
Neelkanth’s footprints begin to map the length and breadth of India – its dense jungles, fertile plains, majestic mountains, mighty rivers, and peaceful coastlines. Flourishing for more than 8,000 years, this land has been home to an ancient and highly advanced civilization. Neelkanth’s walk would last for 7 years, 12,000 kilometers, covering every corner of India.
I note with interest that the filmmakers have decided upon Ayodhya, which is at the center of all kinds of contemporary bloodshed, as the town where this young yogi comes from. Will the film try to be objective and promote unity, or will it stress the “Hinduness” of India instead of it’s diversity? The film is being produced by BAPS:
BAPS [Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha], an international NGO, has a rich experience of presenting Indian culture to over 55 million people worldwide through its 9 cultural festivals and 3 permanent exhibitions at Akshardham –Gandhinagar and Shri Swaminarayan Temple – London and Nairobi. As part of its continuing activities, In early 2001, BAPS decided to make a film that would show the true wealth of India – its culture, its heritage and its wisdom. To make the film more interesting and take the audience into it with a story, it was decided to present India through a unique inspiring person – Neelkanth. This would give the opportunity to present a docu-drama rather than a documentary.
As all IMAX movies, this one promises to be visually stunning. A preview of the film can be viewed here (although the link seems to be temporarily down).
i don’t care if it’s offensive or objective. it looks beautiful. can’t wait to see it!!! 🙂
umm…if the movie is made by a hindu org (BAPS), why on earth wouldn’t they focus on their own tradition(s)? Surely, focusing on Hindu traditions doesn’t entail a denial of the existence of other religious traditions in India!
Kumar
Since the journey is about a young Yogi I fully expect it to focus on Hindu traditions. From a personal perspective though I hope they do not find a way to ruin a perfectly good concept with unecessary divisiveness. I doubt they will, but the fact that the boy is from Ayodhya of all places stood out to me. In any case, I look forward to seeing it and will reserve judgement until then.
thank u for this post. story sounds very interesting. I will definetely watch this at IMAX.
You sure it wasn’t made by these BAPS? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118663/
“I note with interest that the filmmakers have decided upon Ayodhya, which is at the center of all kinds of contemporary bloodshed, as the town where this young yogi comes from.”
You do know that THAT is the ACTUAL PLACE where he comes from, right? And that it isn’t a film-makers choice, but it is based on factual information.
Just vist http://www.akshardham.org and http://www.swaminarayan.org to understand what BAPS is and to clear all doubts you may have in mind. At the 10th International Large Format Film Festival at La Geode in Paris, France, Mystic India won ‘The Audience’s Choice Prize’.
During the 20-day festival from 12 to 31 January 2005, nine giant screen films were selected by the organizers for screening. These were ‘Forces of Nature’, ‘Nascar’, ‘Roar -Lions of Kalahari’, ‘Mystic India’, ‘Sacred Planet’, ‘Santa Vs Snowman’, ‘Top Speed’, ‘Vikings’, ‘3D Mania’. Each film was screened at different times everyday enabling the public to plan their viewing schedule.
After each show, the audience were requested to fill in a questionnaire. Throughout the festival period over 30,000 people viewed the films and voted for the prizes. Based on this, ‘The Audience’s Choice Prize’ was awarded to Mystic India. It was by far the most popular of the films screened. Mystic India is one film which has a great entertainment value for audiences of all ages, an even greater educational value for schools, colleges, museums and science centers; a unifying inspiration for families and friends and an even more global message of harmony and co-existence for countries, cultures and communities. Be Proud to be Indian…
It seems the film was screened free on Saturday and Sunday the 12th and 13th Feb in Denver(CO). I am very sorry to have missed it. This being a small population state, I doubt if it will ever be released here for commercial viewing. Keep a watch for your center if you dont want to miss.
http://www.mysticindia.com/theatres/usa.htm
The story is not fictional, and the boy was from actually Aayidhya, or what their sources suggest is “Chappaiya”. It is a unique experience, to watch the movie, since it is related to One’s will, rich Indian land scapes, damn good photography, and a decent script. I went in to the preview with an idea that it would be just another movie that promotes hardcore Hindu culture. But it is a story of a boy who was born in Hindu family in 1740’s, or in is an abstract story, not usually seen around.
for those worried about whether this film is about hinduism, it is not. The film makers (BAPS), though a Hindu sect, has made this film to show the beauty and cultural richness of India. Most people view India as a third world country that has nothing to offer. This is for those who think that the only place worth seeing is the Taj Mahal. This is the very first large format film made about India and completely taped there…
Interesting comments on this movie. Agree with Umang and Kevin…just check BAPS website or Akshardham.org. Also, the young boy (Yogi) is from Chappiya which is near Ayodhya. I have seen many many projects done by BAPS based on this Yogi’s teachings and I have to say that I have not seen any other organization like this…that transforms the spirituality into actions by helping others. It is a very dynamic organization. This movie is one of its great piece of work! It is definitely worth watching.
The movie is excellent! I’ts great – it’s very fair and doesnt only tell one side of the story – the entire message of the movie is ‘unity in diversity’ and how all different colours and cultures and religions come together in India. Those of you who havent seen it yet i suggest you drop your mice and run now!!!! Go see it!
I saw a preview of the movie last week, and it was a very enlightening experience. The movie doesn’t focus on Hinduism as much as it does on various other cultures, and how they are all present in India. I also did some research on the organization’s website (www.swaminarayan.org) and saw that the story is completely true. It is not at all a myth, and this boy did exist. He did travel this far, and there are numerous sources validating that. I then did some more research on the leader of the organization, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and he completely embodies all the values present in this film. I have relatives who have had the privelige to meet the man personally, and they all feel that there is an aura of divinity around the man. I also found out that this film was made specifically for IMAX theaters around the world. There will be another version of the same film that will be released in the MEGA-MEGA-MEGA-Complex entitled “Akshardham” which will be inaugurated this November. It is to be an extremely humongous monument, and one of its main features will be a second version of this film which will focus mainly on the journey of this boy, as he is the boy who grew up to be this organizations Supreme God. That is why I think this is an amazing film that should be seen by everyone!
I saw this movie in IMAX last week and it was a spell bounding experience. The film focusses on the richness and great cultural diversity of our nation, how over the ages, we have learnt to live in peace, while the world learns to conquer others, Indians learn to conquer their own minds and ego. The sceneries are great and I enjoyed every moment of this movie, infact I came on this forum trying to google any DVD of this film availble for home use.
Wow wow wow – congratualations to everyone who has contributed to making a terrific production. India no doubt is an example of unity in diversity. This production shows this fact. A county so rich in culture, spiritual traditions and tolerance. If the whole world was like India we will have peace. Most of the Greatest spiritual leaders were born in India. Much of the spiritual teachings, methods and ways of Hinduism were adopted by other religious groups. The map of India is like that of a human heart. It is the spiritual heart of the world. Anyone can practice their religion in India without fear or ridicule. This film shows India for what it is ” Love in Action”
Everybody likes Neelkanth! I’m not kidding. I just posted couple of screnshots in my blog and sure enough,I’ve got demands:”More!!”
I’ve heard so much talk about this IMAX show, and now i’m getting really excited. A fellow co-worker just informed me that it will be showing in Providence, RI at the Providence Place mall. While showtimes aren’t decided, it will definitely be out in the 1ST or 2ND week of SEPTEMBER. I’ll keep everyone posted after I go see it. In the meantime, visit http://www.mysticindia.com if you haven’t already!
This was part of the Demystifying India initiative of the Tampa Bay area in Florida.
The exhibition is still going on at MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry) in Tampa.
The opening day was PACKED full of thousands of people waiting in line for a free viewing of Mystic India.
There were classical dance and music performances as well as lots of Indian food and clothing vendors and a vedic math competition.
The Demystifying India exhibition will be open at MOSI through October.
The objective of Demystifying India according to their website is;
Demystifying India is a large scale educational initiative that is the first of its kind in the United States. This initiative will provide Tampa Bay’s children and community with a thorough education and detailed insight into India, its rich culture, and its vast contributions to society, past, present and future. The mantra of this initiative is: Education – Awareness – Acceptance. We believe that education will create awareness, which will in turn create acceptance. Our initial goal was to raise $220,000; we are proud to report that we have already raised over $120,000 and in order to keep moving forward, we need continued support!
http://www.demystifyingindia.com
I’am displeased at the comments made about this movie, calling the 7 yr old boy a yogi! He was not a mere yogi, he was an iconic treasure to this religious land. yes. Though he was an incarnation of a hindu god! His name thereafter became shree swaminarayan and Sahjanand. People must realise the epic of this film deals with a god! not a mere yogi or a young boy. http://www.swaminarayan.info
Hinduism is the majority religion of India, why shouldn’t there be a movie about it. Do you think Pakistan promotes “unity in diversity”? Or Islam? Hindus have a right to religious expression. This movie is about Hinduism and Hindu culture and Indians should be proud of that. And promote the peace and beauty of Hinduism.
This movie is truly amazing and the soundtrack is now available online at the following link http://www.mysticindia.com/news/2006/soundtrakesrelease/index.htmhttp://www.mysticindia.com/news/2006/soundtrakesrelease/index.htm
Wow! I live in a small town of South Carolina and i just checked the Mystic India web site that its coming to Raleigh,NC which is 3 hour drive from me. but I sure will go to watch this movie. Personally I am a follower of BAPS. But as a Hindu i would like to take oppertunity to say that every hindu should (i believe every Indian) watch this movie with their family. So our American born kids know and feel proud that they are an Indian and their parents are not from a so called third world country but from a country which has so deversity still it has such rich culture. I have wathced some clips of the movie about three years ago and i have waited to watch the movie and now I would be able to watch the movie which represts our country. For those who are unaware of BAPS.. Please visit their website http://www.swaminarayan.org…and also dig deep in their past and find out how BAPS is not just a religious organization but also a socially committed organization.. like in the drought of 1980’s BAPS took the dying animals and humans in their shelter. When in Morbi,Gujarat when the dam on river broke how BAPS and helped people. during the world shocking earthquke of Gujarat and many other natural troubles how BAPS had stood their with people….. Thanks for all of your comments
If one hasn’t seen this movie….please go see it. One of the best devotional movies I’ve seen in years. This was last year on my visit to India.
This movie is made by the organization BAPS. The story does focus around the young Yogi, Neekanth Varni who was born in Ayodhoya.It’s an awesome movie. Go see it for sure.
Hey Guyz… This movie is based on real story of God swaminarayn (That young yougi is himself god swaminarayan.==>Known by various names Swaminarayan,Nilkanth varni,Ghanshyam.Hari Krishna etc..) And Movie is made by BAPS==Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha.
AWESOME MOVIE BASED ON REAL STORY.. SHowing various and increadibal india. 😀 😀
Wouldn’t it be great if Mystic India were available on DVD! But in the 6 years since its release, all that seems to have happened is that the rights to the film have been sold to Legend International Company of China. A year later – nothing. Much the same seems to have happened to the soundtrack to the film, which was for a time available to download but now seems to have disappeared. Please keep an eye out for this film in DVD form, and let me know if available.
My email address is meijimack@yahoo.com.au – thanks, Andrew Sydney Australia
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