Karthik is on his way to his sister’s wedding when his car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Stretched for time and with no help available nearby, he finds himself making his way to what appears to be an empty temple. Here, his path crosses with a priest. 
The ensuing conversations between the two give the viewer a longer glimpse into Karthik’s character. He is ambitious, self-driven, even offhanded sometimes, and his world remains defined by material pleasures. The two characters thus present a binary between the realms of materialism and its emptiness, and a spiritual existence marked by fewer wants and harmony with nature. 
Though the story remains confined to one night, the brevity of the plot serves to drive the message home deeper. This, in turn, leads not only the protagonist but also the viewer to a moment of reflection, further drawing attention to how wandering away from a usual, well-trodden path sometimes can lead to something far more than one's expectations.

Paywat | Spotlight

The short narrative takes the viewer on the ghats of Varanasi, and offers a brief spiritual history of the place. There are bytes of several men whose lives center completely around the spiritual reality of the place. In the process the ideas of moksha, or freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth, are also invoked. It is believed that this freedom would be the fate of anyone who is in Varanasi when death comes calling. On the whole, the final result becomes an extolling of the heritage and religious journey of the city, presented to you in a direct manner.

Varanasi | Short Film Nominee

The meaning of existence and the several philosophical, spiritual and existential ideas that come to define and constitute it becomes the primary concern of the film. As its protagonist immerses himself in his pursuit of truth, he further engages with notions of salvation and renunciation. This leads him to realise that the level of spirituality he strives for is perhaps even capable of allowing him a transcendence with regards to the rules of the universe. A conversation with science and art is also roped in - from Einstein to Da Vinci, the narrative interacts with them all. The film remains true to its intentions and tone, maintaining a consistency of pace throughout. It could have, however, exercised more control on its shadows and light.

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