“HARE KRISHNA! – The Mantra, the Movement and the Swami Who Started It All,” an award-winning film on the life of Srila Prabhupada, is continuing to see success and reach new people everywhere.

In India, the movie, directed by John Greisser (Yadubara Das) and Jean Griesser (Visakha Dasi), has recently been dubbed into the four major North Indian languages – Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati and Marathi.

The Honorable Vijay Rupani, Chief Minister of Gujarat, launched the DVD of the Gujarati version at ISKCON Ahmedabad on Dussehra, the celebration of Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana.  

Five hundred DVDs, sponsored by a donor, were distributed to the spiritual leaders of all groups at the Ardha Kumbha Mela at Prayagraj (Allahabad) in February. 

The ISKCON Delhi Glory of India Temple took one thousand DVDs for distribution to their donors, while Lokanath Swami took one thousand to distribute on Padayatra (walking pilgrimage around India).  

“Since the different languages are spoken and not subtitled, even illiterate villagers will be able to view the movie,” says filmmaker Visakha Dasi. 

In total, over fourteen thousand DVDs in the four North Indian languages have been distributed since January. 

The DVD cover for the dubbed version of the film

“Next, we plan to dub the movie in the four major South Indian languages – Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telegu,” Visakha says. “Our goal and hope is that the whole of India will come to realize that Srila Prabhupada is India’s true national hero – India’s greatest spiritual ambassador to the world!”

Meanwhile worldwide to date, Hare Krishna! has been screened in public movie theaters in thirty-nine countries and has been viewed online in more than one hundred countries. 

Amazon.com is distributing the movie on DVD, and has also made it available to rent or purchase via its streaming service, Amazon Prime.  

Although the movie has been available on DVD and streaming since August 2018, distributors are still approaching its producers about more screenings in movie theaters. 

For instance, Hare Krishna! will be coming to the big screen this October in Italy, where it will be opening in twenty-five major cities. 

Sweden will also show the movie in theaters an on TV, although a date has not yet been set. 

“We have personally seen Srila Prabhupada’s eagerness to preach to even one person,” says Visakha. “It is our honor, privilege and great happiness to continue to serve his desire in distributing Hare Krishna! to all parts of the world, thus giving thousands the opportunity to view his amazing life story and thus begin their journey on the path of lasting freedom.” 

She adds: “Those who are inspired can consider donating funds for ongoing distribution. If you have a language you would like to see the film in, please become a sponsor. To date Hare Krishna! is available in twenty-one languages. Srila Prabhupada’s books are in eighty-six languages – so there is still much work to do!”

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To become a sponsor contact Yadubara Das at yadubara.das@gmail.com