UNESCO prize-winning Indian comedy Hotel Salvation acquired by BFI for UK release

Life of Pi’s Adil Hussain stars in an internationally acclaimed comedy about an over-worked son accompanying his ageing father on a pilgrimage to Varanasi.

10 May 2017

Hotel Salvation (2016)

Hotel Salvation, directed by Shubhashish Bhutiani, which has already won 10 Indian and international film awards, has been acquired for the UK by BFI Distribution as a centrepiece of the BFI’s India on Film season (running April – December 2017), part of UK/India 2017, a major cultural celebration between the two countries in collaboration with the British Council.

The film won the Prix Enrico Fulchignoni at last year’s Venice Film Festival – an award given by the International Council of Film and Television at UNESCO to the Venice film that best represents the values of peace and human rights. In May 2017 it won best film at the New York Indian Film Festival. Hotel Salvation is now a strong contender to be India’s Academy Award entry in 2018.

This gentle and tender Indian comedy follows the ordeal of an over-worked modern son forced to accompany his 77-year-old father, who is in search of salvation, to the holy city of Varanasi. The film showcases bravura performances from renowned actors Adil Hussain (Life of Pi), Lalit Behl (Titli) and Geetanjali Kulkarni (Court).

The film will receive its UK premiere at BFI Southbank in the Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival (LIFF) (22 – 29 June) on 27 June (tickets on sale 16 May). It will then open in late summer in cinemas UK-wide and at BFI Southbank.

“I am absolutely thrilled that we will be working with the BFI for the UK release,” says Shubhashish Bhutiani, the director of the film. “We couldn’t have asked for more, and after such warm responses from all around the world and in India, I can’t wait to see how the audience in the UK reacts to the film.”

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