Rahul Bhat’s New Movie: Hollywood Debut After Netflix Success!

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Following the worldwide acclaim of his performance in “Black Warrant,” the Netflix prison drama, Indian actor Rahul Bhat is preparing for his first role in Hollywood. His debut film, “Lost & Found in Kumbh,” will be showcased at the Cannes Film Market.

He has made his third appearance at the festival, with previous significant roles in Anurag Kashyap’s “Ugly” (at Directors’ Fortnight, 2013) and “Kennedy” (as a Midnight Screening, 2023).

The upcoming dramedy, produced by Mulberry Films in Los Angeles and directed by debutante Mayur Puri, will unveil its teaser on May 18 at the Bharat Pavilion in Cannes. This sneak peek offers international buyers their initial look at what actor Bhat calls a fresh change from his typical intense characters.

Instead of the usual serious and violent roles, someone presented me with a dramedy, shared Bhat with EbMaster. Previously, all I received were intense, heavy, and violent characters. Thinking it’s time for a change, I decided to take on an intriguing English role in something different.

The movie revolves around a London professor who journeys with his British spouse to India’s Kumbh Mela to reunite with his father. Upon their arrival, he learns that his Indian ex-wife and their son are residing at the family home, but his father is nowhere to be found. As they embark on a search for him, the two boys become separated amidst the vast throngs of the spiritual gathering.

This year, our filming took place on-site at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, an extraordinary gathering happening only once every 144 years and attended by over 500 million visitors. The production process presented numerous unique challenges that Bhat still remembers vividly.

As a dedicated film aficionado, I found myself capturing scenes at the very end of the Kumbh Mela. It was indeed an overwhelming experience, marked by intense heat and swarming crowds, yet incredibly intriguing.

The production was extensively backed by local officials, particularly the Uttar Pradesh government, who proved instrumental in ensuring smooth operations, as noted by Bhat. “The producers deserve credit for keeping us busy, no doubt. Additionally, the Uttar Pradesh government was incredibly helpful. They granted us permission to film at the Kumbh Mela near the Ganges for a few days,” Bhat adds.

In spite of the challenges, the event made a deep impression on the actor, so much so that he even waded into the river at its conclusion. I can assure you there’s an incredible energy in those waters, and I could truly sense it… perhaps because millions have bathed in the Ganges before me. However, there’s something uniquely magical about immersing oneself in the sacred waters of the Ganges.

In an engaging manner, the on-set shooting atmosphere offered an intriguing acting experience for Bhat. “During filming,” he muses, “it’s almost as if you lose track of your actual surroundings since everything seems staged.” Actors, in their craft, frequently overlook the sanctity of a location, finding it captivating. When embodying a character, they can become so engrossed that they sometimes forget they are in a genuine place.

For Bhat, this contrast was strikingly significant given his character’s vocation. “My character wasn’t expected to consider it in that manner. Being a philosophy professor, he originates from a specific background and is quite pragmatic. However, he has an unusually psychological perspective on all matters.

Instead of the traditional serious tone in Bhat’s earlier collaborations with Kashyap, “Lost & Found in Kumbh” adopts a more playful perspective. As Bhat points out, it’s not intended for heavy analysis. It’s a lighter production. With its Hollywood touch, it avoids the stereotype of being overly dramatic. Instead, it’s delightfully engaging and could be classified as a dramedy or even a film suitable for children.

After his recent triumph with “Black Warrant” on Netflix, which turned out to be one of their most successful global releases this year, Bhat will now make an appearance at Cannes. In the series, he portrays a hardened yet compassionate jailer, showcasing both his tough exterior and tender heart. This acknowledgement is particularly meaningful for the actor, as it’s something he has worked towards for quite some time.

Bhat admits candidly that he’s finally experiencing the taste of success, likely after several decades. He’s often heard people praise his films for being critically acclaimed due to working with talented directors, but never have they used the term ‘success.’ Now, after the release of ‘Black Warrant,’ he finds himself hearing that word everywhere – ‘It’s a hit.’

Coming up, Bhat plays politician Sanjay Gandhi in Sudhir Mishra’s “Summer of 77” for SonyLIV.

In the multinational cast of “Lost & Found in Kumbh,” we find British actress Katie Amess (“Bull”), playing Cherry, alongside Bhat as Maddy. Rajshri Deshpande (“Trial By Fire”) is portrayed as Sherry. The roles of the half-brothers are taken by young actors Jordy Cass (“Frasier”) and Abhisar Puri (“Are You Listening?”).

The film is produced by Rashaana Shah, Cristy Coors Beasley and Namrata Sharma.

Iris Indie Global is handling worldwide sales for “Lost & Found in Kumbh.”

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2025-05-13 10:07