BODHA: The Way of Awakening directed by Sasidhar Maharshi.

"BODHA is a contemplative documentary that journeys into the timeless wisdom of Lord Buddha to seek answers to some of the most urgent existential questions of our restless modern world—questions about happiness, purpose, and detachment. Set against the starkly beautiful and spiritually charged landscape of Ladakh, the film explores how ancient Buddhist teachings continue to offer profound relevance in an age driven by excess, anxiety, and constant pursuit.

Shot primarily at the revered Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh, India, BODHA immerses the viewer into the daily lives of Ladakhi monks—their rituals, silences, simplicity, and quiet joy. The film also documents the vibrant Thiksey Gustor Festival, capturing the sacred Cham dances, which symbolically depict the triumph of wisdom over ignorance and compassion over ego. Through these visuals, the film weaves a poetic dialogue between the outer cultural expressions of Ladakhi Buddhism and the inner spiritual inquiries faced by people across the world today.

BODHA is written, directed, shot, edited, produced, and color-graded by Sasidhar Maharshi, a nuclear scientist by profession and a filmmaker by passion, under his banner The Random Variable Productions. The film marks his deeply personal exploration into why monks, living with so little, appear profoundly content—while modern society, despite abundance, remains perpetually dissatisfied. This inner conflict became the emotional and philosophical backbone of the documentary.

The filmmaking journey itself was a test of both physical endurance and creative resolve. Shot at an altitude of 3,700 meters in sub-zero temperatures, the production demanded adaptability, patience, and humility. Maharshi was supported locally by Stanzin Spalzang, a Ladakhi guide and translator, whose cultural insights and logistical assistance were invaluable to the authenticity of the film.

With a runtime of 31 minutes and 32 seconds, BODHA is not merely a documentary—it is a meditative experience that invites viewers to pause, reflect, and reconnect with deeper truths that often get lost in the noise of modern life."