Geetika Vidya Ohlyan's Barah by Barah, about a death photographer, to hit screens on May 24

Still from Barah By Barah

After spreading its wings over more than 40 coveted international film festivals, director Gaurav Madan's award-winning drama Barah by Barah, starring Geetika Vidya Ohlyan of School of Lies fame, is set for its home release. The film will arrive in theatres on May 24.

Touted as one of the rare Indian films to be shot on 16mm film, Barah by Barah is set in the heart of Varanasi and offers a unique, striking perspective through the lens of the only living death photographer in the ancient city. It also stars actor Gyanendra Tripathi, known for his work in TVF's Half CA, Harish Khanna of 12th Fail fame, Bhumika Dube and Aksh Sinha among others.

Barah by Barah marks the feature debut of Madan, who has also co-written the film with Sunny Lahiri. The film's origin lies in Madan's meeting with a real death photographer during a trip to Varanasi that made him see "immense cinematic potential" in the subject.

The film is critically touted in festival circuits as an atmospheric, visually stunning and nuanced portrayal of ‘traditionality in conflict with modernity'.

It had its World/India premiere at IFFK, Kerala and International premiere at the Shanghai International Film Festival. It has won top awards at various film festivals including the FIPRESCI India (Grand Prix, Best Film), Pune International Film Festival (Best Director) and Diorama IFF (Best Indian Feature Film).

"I hail from a small town called Jagadhri in Haryana. My parents had to let go of our ancestral home because the government decided to widen the adjacent highway. The house was razed in front of my eyes and we had to migrate to a drab housing colony. Now, the entire town looks listless, like a big city clone. Progress is vital, of course, but there's a part of me that misses the old town charm and sense of nostalgia. This film is a personal story, one I believe will resonate with anyone grappling with change, told through the lens of a novel protagonist" Madan said in a statement.

For Lahiri, the film's journey from shooting, its festival premiere to now its theatrical release has been "challenging yet magical."

"Balancing credibility and passion for storytelling, be it shooting on celluloid and on location amongst the rising tensions of cremation fires, smoke, mourners, all while navigating a resourceful production was a herculean task. The cast and crew's dedication, who poured their heart and might into this film, was truly inspiring. I am incredibly proud of the film and am thrilled to finally bring it to the theaters," he said.

Barah by Barah is produced and presented by Jignesh Patel's Amdavaad Pictures, an acclaimed production house based out of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The film will be theatrically released, pan-India by Shiladitya Bora's Platoon Distribution, which has previously worked on acclaimed films like National Award-winner Court, Sir, and Ghode Ko Jalebi Khilane Le Ja Riya Hoon.