The ‘Caste Rush’ Plays To A Packed House In Hollywood

India-West News Desk

HOLLYWOOD, CA — The documentary The Caste Rush drew a packed audience at its August 9 screening in Hollywood, sparking animated discussions among attendees moved by its subject matter.

The 60-minute investigative film takes viewers across India, delving into claims of caste-based discrimination in ancient temples. Director Nikhil Singh Rajputt and his team traveled to every region of the country, documenting current customs and practices tied to caste. Their inquiry focuses on fundamental questions: Are Dalits still barred from certain temples? Can people from non-Brahmin backgrounds serve as priests?

The filmmakers say they adhered to a strict investigative code, vowing to reveal “Truth, The Whole Truth & Nothing but the Truth.” The result is a detailed on-the-ground exploration of long-debated issues, blending historical context with contemporary realities.

Supported by groups including the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), the Dalit Bahujan Solidarity Network, and SMAP, The Caste Rush will now tour cities across the U.S. and Canada.

Rajputt, known for socially conscious works such as Himalayan Refugee (2017), Blood Buddhas (2019), and Stateless (2021), said the film is meant to encourage open dialogue on a topic often shrouded in controversy.