Parikrama: When Italy Meets India on the Big Screen

Cinema has always been a bridge between cultures, but sometimes a film comes along that embodies this idea in its very soul. Parikrama — directed by the award-winning Indian filmmaker Goutam Ghose — is one such rare creation.

This Indo-Italian co-production brings together the artistry of the East and West, carrying the audience on a profound journey along the sacred Narmada River.

🎥 The Story Beyond Borders

At the heart of Parikrama lies the story of Alessandro, an Italian filmmaker (played by Marco Leonardi, forever remembered as “Toto” from Cinema Paradiso). He travels to India to document the ritual walk — the parikrama — around the Narmada, a river steeped in history, spirituality, and mythology.

On his path, Alessandro meets Lala, a young boy who lost his ancestral land to a dam project. Selling trinkets to survive, Lala dreams of reclaiming his home. Their encounters are not just about two lives crossing but about two worlds listening to each other — Europe and India, memory and hope, loss and resilience.

🌟 The Faces of Parikrama

The film boasts a rich ensemble cast, including:

Marco Leonardi (Cinema Paradiso) as Alessandro

Aaryan Badkul as Lala

Chitrangda Singh as Rupa

With Cristina Donadio, Emanuele Esposito, Enzo Decaro, Ashmith Kunder, Sanat Pandey, Urmi Sharma

🎬 Why Parikrama Matters

A Dialogue of Cultures: The collaboration itself is a symbol of how cinema can build bridges.

Visually Striking: With cinematography by Ishaan Ghose, every frame carries poetry.

Timely and Relevant: Themes of displacement, ecology, and identity echo strongly in today’s world.

Our students are present today, experiencing this remarkable cultural journey on the big screen.
 

🏛️ The Special Screening

The film will be screened at NANDAN II, Kolkata, on Thursday, 14 August 2025 at 6:00 PM.
Seats are limited and available on a first-come-first-served basis.

This event is presented by the Forum for Film Studies and Allied Arts in association with La Casa de los Políglotas.