Girish Malik’s latest docu-drama, ‘Mahamantra – The Great Chant,’ is set for a special showcase premiere at the 56th Indian International Film Festival (IFFI). The festival, which kicked off on Thursday, November 20, will feature the film as one of its most anticipated screenings.
The 75-minute English language film is described as Malik’s most essential and spiritually inspired work to date. It offers a cinematic response to a world searching for meaning and balance amidst global challenges. These include pandemics, wars, climate change concerns, and widespread social upheaval.
Padma Shri Brigadier Dr. Arvind Lal narrates the documentary. The musical score for ‘Mahamantra – The Great Chant’ was composed by the Grammy-nominated artist Bikram Ghosh.
Malik’s filmography is noted for its boundary-pushing narratives. His debut feature, ‘Jal’ (2014), screened at the Busan International Film Festival, won a National Award, and was included on the Oscar contention list.
His 2021 film ‘Torbaaz’ trended in over 20 countries on Netflix. More recently, ‘Band of Maharaja’ (2024) advanced in two Oscar categories for the upcoming 97th Academy Awards.
The 56th Indian International Film Festival runs from November 20 to 28. It will screen more than 240 films from 81 countries. This year’s lineup includes 13 World Premieres, four International Premieres, and 46 Asian Premieres.
Organizers reported a record 2,314 film submissions from 127 countries. The festival will conclude with a special ceremony honoring actor Rajinikanth’s 50-year career in Indian cinema.