Atman: Film against sacrifice

HIMANSHU GURU, OP

Despite greater rational awareness in the twenty-first century, some people still follow traditional practices such as animal, bird and human sacrifice. In the film Atman: The Wonder Boy, director Himanshu Khamari makes a strong statement against human sacrifice. Sunday POST talked to the director about his film.

“In medieval history, we read about human beings being sacrificed in some parts of India to propitiate Mother Earth to yield a good harvest. This heinous practice was banned by Lord William Bentinck. Animal sacrifice, however, is still prevalent in Orissa villages. Keeping this in view, I decided to make Atman to raise awareness against such practices,” says Khamari.

“The film revolves round Atman, a 12 year old boy, who is abducted from his school by a tantric for sacrifice. The boy, however, manages to escape with the help of his school chairman. All the actors in the film are novices, but have performed like veterans,” adds the director.

The Sneha Art Creations film is written and produced by Gobardhan Bhoi. The director himself has written the screenplay. Gobardhan Bhoi, Sabita Priyadarshini, RabindraSahu, KM Mohanty, Kapileswar Khamari, Saroj, Pabitra, Krishna, Nilakantha and Reshmarani share screen space. Music has been scored by Muralidhari Pati and camera work is by Sumanjit. The post-production work of the film, slated for release in March, is underway.