''Siddhartha'' is a 1972 Indo-American

drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...

mystery film A mystery film is a genre of film that revolves around the solution of a problem or a crime. It focuses on the efforts of the detective, private investigator or amateur Detective, sleuth to solve the mysterious circumstances of an issue by means ...

based on the 1922 novel of the same name by

Hermann Hesse Hermann Karl Hesse (; 2 July 1877 – 9 August 1962) was a German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter. His best-known works include ''Demian'', '' Steppenwolf'', '' Siddhartha'', and '' The Glass Bead Game'', each of which explores an individual' ...

, directed by

Conrad Rooks Conrad Rooks (December 15, 1934 in Kansas City, Missouri – December 27, 2011 in Massachusetts) was an American writer, director and producer most well known for his 1972 filmed adaptation of Hermann Hesse's novel '' Siddhartha''. Early lif ...

. It was shot on location in Northern India, and features work by noted cinematographer

Sven Nykvist Sven Vilhem Nykvist (; 3 December 1922 – 20 September 2006) was a Swedish cinematographer. He worked on over 120 films, but is known especially for his work with director Ingmar Bergman. He won Academy Awards for his work on two Bergman fil ...

. The locations used for the film were the holy city of

Rishikesh Rishikesh, also spelt as Hrishikesh, is a city near Dehradun in Dehradun district of the Indian state Uttarakhand. It is situated on the right bank of the Ganges River and is a pilgrimage town for Hindus, with ancient sages and saints medita ...

and the private estates and palaces of the Maharajah of Bharatpur.

Plot

The film tells the story of the young Siddhartha (played by Shashi Kapoor), born in a rich family, and his search for a meaningful way of life. This search takes him through periods of harsh asceticism, sensual pleasures, material wealth, then self-revulsion and eventually to the oneness and harmony with himself that he has been seeking. Siddhartha learns that the secret of life cannot be passed on from one person to another, but must be achieved through inner experience.

Cast

Shashi Kapoor Shashi Kapoor (pronounced �əʃi kəpuːɾ (born Balbir Raj Kapoor; 18 March 1938 – 4 December 2017) was an Indian actor and film producer who is best known for his work in Hindi films. A recipient of several accolades, including four Natio ...

as Siddhartha *

Simi Garewal Simi Garewal (born Simrita Garewal; 17 October 1947) is an Indian actress, director, producer and a talk show host. She is the recipient of two Filmfare awards and an ITA Award. She is known for her work in Hindi films like '' Do Badan'', '' Sa ...

as Kamala *

Romesh Sharma Romesh Brij Sharma is an Indian film producer, actor and director. Under his banner Romesh Films, he has been actively involved in the production of films and television shows for over 30 years. Personal life His son Karan Sharma is also an a ...

as Govinda * Pincho Kapoor as Kamaswami * Zul Vellani as Vasudeva * Amrik Singh as Father * Kunal Kapoor as Son * Shanti Hiranand as Mother

Controversy

's nude scene caused controversy in India. The

Indian Censor Board The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is a statutory film-certification body in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India. It is tasked with "regulating the public exhibition of films under the provision ...

, at that time, did not even permit on-screen kissing in Indian films.

Music

All the Indian music was composed and sung by

Hemant Kumar Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (16 June 1920 – 26 September 1989), known professionally as Hemant Kumar and Hemanta Mukherjee, was a legendary Indian music composer and playback singer who primarily sang in Bengali and Hindi, as well as other Indian ...

, with lyrics to the songs by Gouriprasanna: Mother's song was by Shanti Hiranand. Kumar's Bengali songs, adapted for ''Siddhartha'', "Pather Klanti Bhule" is from the 1956 movie ''Maru Tirtha Hinglaj'' and "O Nodire Ekti Kotha Shudhai" is from the 1959 movie ''

Neel Akasher Neechey ''Neel Akasher Neechey'' (Bengali language, Bengali: নীল আকাশের নীচে ''Nil akasher niche'', "Under the Blue Sky") is a 1958 Bengali language Drama Film, drama film directed by Mrinal Sen and produced by Hemanta Mukherjee ...

''. No soundtrack album for the film was issued.

Premiere and revival

The film premiered in the West and the U.S. to positive reviews. Then during the 1970s and 1980s, it disappeared from distribution and runs in theaters. In 1996 it came back after much work and restoration, followed by release to TV and video. Those who saw the film applauded it as a tale of self-discovery and praised the restoration work. A region 1 DVD was released in 2002.

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, 0070689, Siddhartha 1973 films Films about Gautama Buddha Films based on Swiss novels Films set in ancient India Films shot in Rajasthan Films shot in Uttarakhand Buddhism in fiction Metaphysical fiction films 1970s erotic drama films Films scored by Hemant Kumar American erotic drama films Columbia Pictures films Adaptations of works by Hermann Hesse Films directed by Conrad Rooks Films with screenplays by Paul Mayersberg Obscenity controversies in film 1973 drama films Films about courtesans in India 1970s English-language films 1970s American films