Mahamantra Enters Oscar Race as a Timely Global Documentary
Indian documentary Mahamantra joins the Oscar race, blending ancient mantra science with modern global realities.
India has once again marked its presence on the global cinematic map as Mahamantra – The Great Chant, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Girish Malik, has been officially included in the Academy Awards Documentary Feature Reminder List. This inclusion places the film firmly in contention for the upcoming Oscars and signals a significant moment for Indian non-fiction cinema on the world stage.
Being part of the Academy’s reminder list is more than a procedural step—it reflects growing international recognition and positions Mahamantra within a serious global awards conversation. For Indian documentary filmmaking, particularly works rooted in philosophy and intellectual inquiry, this milestone is both encouraging and historic.
With this development, Mahamantra joins a rare league of Indian documentaries that have earned worldwide acclaim, following the legacy of Oscar-winning films such as The Elephant Whisperers and Period. End of Sentence. Malik’s work carries this tradition forward, reinforcing India’s expanding footprint in global documentary storytelling.
Produced by Clapstem Productions, Mahamantra – The Great Chant reflects a commitment to cinema that is thoughtful, research-driven, and universally resonant. The film was not created for spectacle or sensationalism; instead, it emerges from deep contemplation on sound, consciousness, and humanity’s shared search for balance. Even before its commercial release in India, the documentary has made a strong impression on international audiences and festival circuits.
Earlier this year, the film was showcased at the International Film Festival of India under a Special Focus category, where it received an overwhelmingly positive response from critics and viewers alike. It was widely described as visually immersive, emotionally grounded, and profoundly timely in the context of today’s fractured world.
At its core, Mahamantra – The Great Chant explores the ancient science of mantras and poses a compelling question: can age-old spiritual wisdom help humanity navigate modern chaos? Set against a backdrop of political unrest, global conflict, emotional imbalance, and rising mental health challenges, the film creates a quiet but powerful dialogue between ancient traditions and contemporary scientific thought.
Visually rich and artistically layered, the documentary weaves together symbolic narratives—the cosmic dance of Shiva, the rhythmic resonance of the damru, and Krishna’s diplomatic efforts to avert war. It examines sacred chants such as Om Namah Shivaya through the lenses of physics, consciousness studies, and spiritual philosophy. Its journey spans epochs, moving seamlessly from the Big Bang to the Mahabharata, from World War II to the age of Oppenheimer, while remaining anchored in humanity’s universal quest for meaning and healing.
The involvement of renowned artists and thinkers, including maestro Bickram Ghosh, the evocative voice of Shubha Mudgal, and insights from Padma Shri awardee Arvind Lal further amplifies the film’s global heartbeat. Contributors from diverse cultures and belief systems lend the documentary a truly universal perspective.
Speaking on the film’s Oscar journey, Malik shared that Mahamantra was never conceived with awards in mind, but rather from a deep curiosity about sound, consciousness, and the collective human experience. Its recognition by the Academy, he noted, reaffirms that stories rooted in ancient knowledge can still resonate powerfully with global audiences today.
Regardless of how its Oscar journey unfolds, Mahamantra – The Great Chant has already secured its place as a meaningful and enduring contribution to Indian documentary cinema—one that bridges ancient wisdom and modern uncertainty with clarity, hope, and quiet reflection. The film is slated for its Indian release in the coming months.
https://variety.com/2025/film/news/mahamantra-indian-film-berlin-european-film-market-1236299998/
https://m.imdb.com/news/ni65128518/
https://www.bol-news.com/2025/11/iffi-2025-l-girish-maliks-mahamantra.html?m=1
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