Kumaré
on location in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India
A documentary about a man who impersonates a wise Indian Guru and builds a following in Arizona. At the height of his popularity, the Guru Kumaré must reveal his true identity to his disciples and unveil his greatest teaching of all.
Kumare
Kumare from ro*co films on Vimeo.
Kumare
Kumare presents himself as an enlightened guru from the East who builds a following of disciples in the West. But Kumare is not a real guru. He is American filmmaker, Vikram Gandhi, who has transformed himself into guru Kumare, acting as the centerpiece of a social experiment designed to explore and test one of the world’s most sacred taboos.
Concealing his true identity from all he meets, Kumare attracts a colorful cast of followers and forges profound, spiritual connections with real people from all walks of life. At the same time, in the absurdity of living as an entirely different person, Vikram the filmmaker is forced to confront difficult questions about his own identity.
At the height of his popularity he reveals his greatest teaching: his true self. A playful yet genuine and insightful look at belief and spirituality, the film crosses a line few have dared to cross, all to discover: from illusion comes truth.
How I was involved
Actually without knowing what Vikram was actually up to – I had thought he was still making his documentary on Yoga in America; he had presented the project as if he only had pick-up shots to complete in Haridwar and Rishikesh during the 2010 Maha Kumbh Mela – I assisted by:
• provided accommodations
• arranged passes to gain entry into Juna Akhara camps
• introduced them to sadhus in order to facilitate their security while shooting during sahi snaan (main bathing date)
