Hotel Salvation

The holy city of Varanasi has featured in many Indian movies, but few have been as poignant as 25-year-old Shubhashish Bhutiani's debut. Recalling Ismaël Ferroukhi's Le Grand Voyage (2004), it follows septuagenarian Lalit Behl and his stressed accountant son Adil Hussain to Mukti Bhawan, a guest house run by Anil K Rastogi for Hindus to prepare themselves for death. However, having befriended widow (and real-life wife) Navnindra Behl, the old man begins to enjoy life again. Meanwhile Hussain becomes increasingly harassed, as he is hamstrung by his father's rejuvenation and frustrated by wife Geetanjali Kulkarni's growing conviction that he's having a relaxing holiday while she is dealing with free-spirited daughter Palomi Ghosh's reluctance to accept an arranged marriage. The latter's visit encourages Behl to behave even more incorrigibly, as Bhutiani explores topics such as tradition, ritual, age, gender and family ties. But the father-son bond dominates this bittersweet tale, which is not only impeccably played by a fine cast, but also beautifully designed by Avyakta Kapur and photographed by Michael McSweeney and David Huwiler.