Indian American Filmmaker Rohini Chandra’s Documentary ‘This Beautiful Journey’ Explores New and Old India
Filmmaker Rohini Chandra. (photo provided)
India-West Staff Reporter
On a recent visit to India, Indian American filmmaker/actor/singer Rohini Chandra wrote, shot, directed, and hosted a travelogue titled, “This Beautiful Journey.”
As a queer woman traveling across India, viewers will definitely find it interesting how Chandra gently breaks social boundaries through filmmaking and by approaching and learning about the local people and their cultures off the beaten path.
The film also features a special appearance by late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
In the travel documentary, Chandra takes viewers on a “virtual” journey through Haryana, Delhi and West Bengal. She offers “real and raw mini adventures on a spontaneous roller-coaster ride through a section of the new and old India.”
“‘This Beautiful Journey’ discusses how India – where my parents were born and brought up – embraces visitors with open arms while valuing hard work, generosity, and hospitality. These are humble values the world very much needs to cherish while darkness prevails!” said the Los Angeles, Calif.-based filmmaker. “My ultimate goal is to bring reflection to freshen our minds and smiles to our faces through the spontaneity of my journey.”
The film displays all the impromptu, nostalgic, and personal moments that travel can bring with exuberant joy and life lessons. This travel diary explores a range of 24 topics involving individuals, family, politics, history, food, social issues, spirituality, and religion.
The documentary also covers a number of ongoing social issues in India such as the prevention of inter-regional marriage in Kashmir, farmers tilling the fields (who are currently protesting), the youths’ modern take on India’s future, and the push and pull between modernity and tradition in an ever-growing country.
The film has garnered 100,000-plus views on social media and has won awards at several film festivals, including the Best Documentary and Travel Film awards at the Tagore International Film Festival and the Picasso Einstein Buddha International Film Festival, and the Best Documentary award at the Kashmir International Film and Cultural Festival. It was selected as a finalist at the New York International Film Awards, and was an official selection at the Montreal Independent Film Festival, the Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival, and Chinh Youth Film Festival.
View the full documentary here:
