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72 Hoorain is a drama film that follows two fedayeens, Hakim and Bilal, who die after a suicide bombing at the Gateway of India in Mumbai. In a purgatory state, they await entry into heaven, promised 72 virgins known as Hoorain. As they wait, they begin to question the existence of these rewards and the motivations behind their actions, leading to a path of destruction and a grim fate.
The film, written and directed by Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan, had its premiere at the 50th International Film Festival of India in 2019, where it received a standing ovation. It won the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal for Best Film on peace and inter-cultural dialogue and Best Direction at the 67th National Film Awards in 2021. Despite its accolades, the film faced mixed reviews and a disappointing box office performance upon its delayed release in India on July 7, 2023.
Why Watch
- •See Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan's award-winning direction
- •Meet characters questioning their beliefs about the afterlife
- •Find out about the connection between religion and terrorism
Did You Know
•The film premiered at the 50th IFFI in 2019 and received a standing ovation.
•It won the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal for Best Film on peace in 2019.
•The film was released in English and 10 other Indian languages.
•On its opening day, it collected Rs. 0.35 crore with 8.98% occupancy.
Perfect For
Film festival enthusiastsDiscussions on extremismFans of Indian cinema