The Spark(2023)
Hindi96 mins
Film director Kabir comes to Varanasi, the most sacred site of Hinduism that has existed since BC, with a camera. Kabir begins to photograph two people: Durga, one of the workers at the crematorium on the banks of the Ganges, and Amman, who has come to Varanasi to await death in order to break the chain of reincarnation.
Director:Rajesh S. Jala
Mood:
darkemotionalsuspenseful
Where to watch:
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Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 8 October 2023
- Director
- Rajesh S. Jala
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 1h 36m
- Rating
- 6.9/10
Storyline
A filmmaker arrives in the holy city of Varanasi to make a film. He starts filming two people: a woman who works at a riverside crematorium and a man who has come to the city to die.
“A sacred city. Two souls. One life-changing encounter.”
Film Details
6.9Rating
96Minutes
HindiLanguage
Release Date8 October 2023
Also Known AsChingari
Parental Guide
Violence
Low
Language
Low
Sex / Nudity
Mild
Drugs
Mild
Intensity
Low
Vibe & Tags
Mood
darkemotionalsuspenseful
Themes
survivalidentityfamilyjustice
Tonegritty
Pacingslow-burn
Complexityrequires-attention
Audiencearthouse
Best Withalone
Violence2
Emotion5
Humor1
Rewatchability3
Cast & Crew
#1
R
Rajesh S. JalaDirector
→Trivia
- The film was shot entirely on location in Varanasi, using many real-life crematorium workers as background actors.
- Director Rajesh S. Jala also served as the film's cinematographer, capturing the city's atmosphere with a handheld camera.
- The lead actor playing Kabir spent months learning to operate a vintage film camera for his role.
- The movie's dialogue includes lines in the local Bhojpuri dialect, not just standard Hindi.
- It was independently produced with a very small crew, avoiding major studio backing.
- The film's title, 'The Spark', is a direct translation of its original Hindi title, 'Chingari'.
- Several scenes were filmed during actual religious ceremonies on the ghats of the Ganges River.