Girish Malik's latest docu-drama, "Mahamantra – The Great Chant," is poised to premiere as a Special Showcase at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The festival is scheduled to take place from November 20 to 28. The 75-minute English-language film is a cinematic response to a world grappling with global pandemics, wars, climate anxiety, and social upheaval.
Malik's film blends mythology, history, science, sound, movement, and symbolism into a unified narrative that urges collective resilience and elevated consciousness. It draws parallels between Shiva's cosmic dance and modern scientific theories. According to Malik, the film aims to bridge Vedic science with the insights of modern thinkers like Einstein, Tesla, and Carl Sagan.
The film is narrated by (Honorary) Brigadier Dr. Arvind Lal. The music is composed by multiple Grammy nominee Bickram Ghosh, and Padma Shri awardee Shubha Mudgal lends her voice to the project. The documentary also features contributions from Sri Swami Swatmananda, a Vedic scholar and former tech expert; Dr. Rajeshwar Mukherjee, Professor of Vedic Science and Theoretical Physics at Nalanda University; and Gupta Kaushik, a philosopher and philanthropist. The film is produced by Malik's Clapstem Productions.
Malik is known for filmmaking that pushes creative and thematic boundaries. His directorial debut, "Jal" (2013), premiered at the Busan Film Festival, won a National Award for Best Special Effects, and was shortlisted as India's official entry to the 2014 Academy Awards in the Best Picture category. He also directed "Torbaaz," starring Sanjay Dutt, which premiered on Netflix in 2020. Last year, he directed the musical film "Band of Maharajas," which contended for Oscars in the Best Original Song and Best Original Score categories.
IFFI 2025 promises to be a massive cinematic celebration, featuring over 240 films from 81 countries, including 13 world premieres. This year's festival will include four international premieres and 46 Asian premieres. As the festival gears up to close with a tribute to Rajinikanth's 50-year journey in Indian cinema, "Mahamantra" stands as one of the year's most anticipated screenings—an introspective call for unity, resilience, and awakening in turbulent times.
