Talk To Astrologer
New Delhi, October 12: Stories rooted in India’s spiritual traditions and the lives of its saints are finding a growing place in cinema. Following the success of Hanuman Ansh, inspired by Neem Karoli Baba, the story of Devaraha Baba, regarded as one of India’s most enigmatic saints, is now set to reach the big screen.
The film is titled Machan Baba, and the makers have released its title poster. The project is currently in the research and pre-production stages, with a release planned for 2027.
Why has Devaraha Baba’s life remained a mystery?
Devaraha Baba was closely associated with his machan, a raised platform on which he lived near a river. He would stay on this platform, built several feet above the ground, and meet devotees from there. However, the greatest mystery surrounding his life has been his age.
Different claims and popular accounts exist regarding how long Baba lived. Author Abhijit Sen has also explored various accounts and recollections concerning Devaraha Baba’s extraordinary longevity in his book. Some stories claim that he lived for more than 500 years, although no universally accepted historical evidence supports these claims.
Accounts involving George V, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi
One of the most intriguing aspects of Devaraha Baba’s life is the number of prominent political figures from different eras associated with him. Older accounts claim that British monarch King George V met Baba in 1911. The episode was also mentioned during a discussion in Parliament in 2009.
Stories about former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi meeting Devaraha Baba and receiving his blessings have also remained widely discussed. Similarly, various recollections mention a meeting between Baba and then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi before the foundation-laying ceremony for the Ram temple in 1989.
The filmmakers have not yet revealed how these historical and political episodes will be portrayed in the film.
A connection with Neem Karoli Baba
There is also an interesting link between Machan Baba and Hanuman Ansh. Neem Karoli Baba and Devaraha Baba were active during roughly the same period.
Devotee memoirs and oral accounts uncovered during the film’s research mention meetings between the two saints. According to these accounts, Neem Karoli Baba held Devaraha Baba in high regard.
Producers based in the UK and the US
Machan Baba is being produced by Poonam Gupta OBE, an Indian-origin entrepreneur based in the UK, and Vikalp Paliwal, an entrepreneur based in the US.
Known as the “Paper Queen” in the UK, Poonam Gupta established herself in the business world before venturing into film production with this project. Vikalp Paliwal, who was born in Lucknow, currently lives in Austin, Texas, and is involved in the IT and real estate sectors.
Poonam Gupta says, “Devaraha Baba’s life is a unique blend of spirituality, history and mystery. Our aim is to bring his story to the big screen with reverence, backed by rigorous research and cinematic sensitivity.”
Co-producer Vikalp Paliwal says, “This is a thoroughly Indian story, but the themes of faith, mystery and human curiosity that it explores have a global appeal.”
The film is being made under the banner of Ojas Films, the film and content division of the software and AI company Ojas Softech.
The makers say Machan Baba will be more than a story about miracles. The film will explore faith, history, politics and the mysteries surrounding Devaraha Baba, which continue to be discussed decades after his death.
Machan Baba is scheduled for release in 2027.