Private Project

MOHRA- The Divine Face

Indian society is deeply rooted into castism which in turn leads to social disparity. Mohra is the story of an artisan who makes Mohra, the divine faces of palanquin in Himachal Pradesh. This community is untouchable in the region. However, they are the only community who makes Mohra’s for worship. He has been given utmost importance during the making of Mohra by the villagers but once he has completed his work he is not supposed to touch Mohra.
Uttamu is the protagonist who makes Mohra and his five years old son accompany him during the making of Mohra to the other village temple. Uttamu has to follow all the rituals during the making of Mohra. But his child is beaten terribly by the villager. Why villager has beaten Uttamu son and how he brings his child out of this trauma and how he bring his community out of cast stigma is the main essence of the story.
Sometimes situations don’t allow a person to run a movement with flag and masses but he can bring change in society by contributing his own efforts. This bring change in society and open the way to whole community.

  • Dev Kanya Thakur
    Director
  • Dev Kanya Thakur
    Writer
  • Pushp Raj Thakur
    Producer
  • Uttam
    Key Cast
    "Uttamu (Father)"
  • Divya Kumari
    Key Cast
    "Wife"
  • Arjun Lotheta
    Key Cast
    "Guddu"
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 26 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 30, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    Hindi
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Dev Kanya Thakur

• Doctorate in journalism and Mass communication from Himachal Pradesh University Shimla
• She started independent filmmaking as career after completing her film appreciation course from Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.
• Her Film Behind the Bars based on Jail Reforms in Himachal has won first prize by Human Rights Commission of India in 2018.
• Her film on the ancestral property rights struggle of tribal women in Himachal has won Special Mention by Human Rights Commission of India in 2018 and also won Laadli media awards in the year 2017
• She is the founder of International Film Festival of Shimla and successfully organized five editions of this festival and bring Shimla in International film circuit as popular platform of independent filmmakers.
• She has directed many documentaries, short films and features films which were also screened in various film festivals all over India and abroad including Documentary and short film festival of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai, Rajasthan, Kolkata, Dlhi, Nepal, .
• Her research book “Development Journalism in Hills” published by Bookwell Publishers Delhi in January 2018 is on developmental journalism scenario in Himachal Pradedsh.
• She is conferred with laadli media award in 2016 for writing on gender issues, and also received Laadli media fellowship once and columnists of the year 2012 in Himachal for her writings. She is freelance journalist and independent filmmaker based in Himachal. She writes opinions for daily newspapers and features for reputed magazines. Her poems, stories and features are regularly published in literary magazines.
• She was also newsreader on All India Radio, Shimla and anchor with Doordarshan Shimla. Her literary programme “Sahitya Darpan” on All India Radio Shimla is one of the best literature based talk show.
• Her story”HESAN” based on Devdaasis in Himachal has won first prize in Prasar Bharti annual Award for the year 2018.
• Her story “MOHRA” based on the cast System in Himachal has been awarded with first prize by the SAHITYA ACADMEY OF Himachal Pradesh Govt.
• HESAN and MOHRA story were also adopted by for play on stage by Theatre Director HITESH BHARGAVA.
• Two books Malan Cream and Mohra are published in 2021 and coming soon in market
• Member of External Expert Committee for three years of HP University , Summerhill Shimla (2016-2018)
• Delivers lectures on Art &Cultures of Himachal and on film studies in various universities and colleges.
• Published Books-Development Journalism in Hills, Mohra, Malana Cream, 21 Shresth naariman ki kahaniyan

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Indian society is deeply rooted into castism which in turn leads to social disparity. Mohra is the story of an artisan who makes Mohra, the divine faces of palanquin in Himachal Pradesh. This community is untouchable in the region. However, they are the only community who makes Mohra’s for worship. He has been given utmost importance during the making of Mohra by the villagers but once he has completed his work he is not supposed to touch Mohra.
Uttamu is the protagonist who makes Mohra and his five years old son accompany him during the making of Mohra to the other village temple. Uttamu has to follow all the rituals during the making of Mohra. But his child is beaten terribly by the villager. Why villager has beaten Uttamu son and how he brings his child out of this trauma and how he bring his community out of cast stigma is the main essence of the story.
Sometimes situations don’t allow a person to run a movement with flag and masses but he can bring change in society by contributing his own efforts. This bring change in society and open the way to whole community.