Article Updated 03 November, 2005 02:10:12 PM IST   Banaras - A Mystic Love Story By Judi Silva ©2005 Bollyvista.com   Promising a theme that will make you think, writer and producer L. C. Singh says, "It was answering the call from the inner self, the need to reach the younger generation, offer them a story, a theme which would make them think and question. Films normally carry the `tag' of not giving material to think. I wanted to change that, reach the masses and make them look at things differently." And with Banaras, Singh has done just that. The film is about relationships, the relationship between humans and God and the relationship of great men like Buddha, Kabir, Tulsi and Shankaracharya. It is also about emotions and the conflict between a mother and daughter and how it is resolved. Shwetambari (Urmila Matondkar), the daughter of rich Brahmin parents (Dimple Kapadia and Raj Babbar) and attends the local university in Banaras to study science. Soham (Ashmit Patel) is a low caste mystic, student of Babaji (Naseeruddin Shah) and music teacher at the same university. The two fall in love and a Shakespearian themed love story begins, sending waves through Banaras. Those from both sides of the coin appear on the scene, orthodox and conservatives and threaten to take away everything from the young lovers. When Shwetambari's parents try to ignore the social restrictions for the sake and happiness of their daughter, evil forces and destiny take over. A shattered Shwetambari has to make a choice. She decides to abandon the very city she loves the most and turns inward to look for answers and rid herself of the looming despair and hopelessness she struggles with. Seventeen years later, we find Shwetambari is now a world teacher in philosophy and religion. At this point in her life, she is confronted with one final choice, return to Banaras to meet her dying father or continue to deny all worldly attachments. Will she decide to go back to Banaras? And if she does, will the demons and the dark secrets that have been hidden away like a dormant volcano erupt once again and destroy her peace of mind forever? Ninety percent of the film is shot at various spiritual and cultural locations in Benaras, while the other ten percent was shot in Mauritius. Banaras is expected to release around December 2005.   close   Print this Article http://www.bollyvista.com   http://www.bollyvista.com/article/a/30/5791