Ever since Aristotle outlined the goal of a sound civil order in his book Politics, social and political scientists have become particularly interested in what makes everyone happy. It has been found that happiness is greater and psychological stress is lesser for those who attend religious services regularly. But can we think of happiness without morality? Can religion function without morality? German philosopher Nietzsche wanted religion and morality to once again serve life, not just the preservation of life, but he wanted the living to thrive to excel and to grow in strength of will. You must be thinking what makes me want to talk about religion and morality to review a film. Because, this film, Dakini is a great study of religion and morality through the lens of Hinduism.

For those who don’t know the meaning of Dakini, it is a female spirit, goddess, or demon in Hinduism. The concept of Dakini differs depending on the context and the tradition. It can be a goddess or it can be a demon. Or, it can be both. So, if you want to deep dive into Hinduism through simple storytelling, I would suggest you watch this film. However, before watching the film, you should know that Hinduism itself is a subject with multiple branches. The interesting part of this film is that if you don’t have an iota of knowledge about Hinduism, you’ll still be able to connect with the film.

Dakini is a 40-odd minutes long film that revolves around inside a hut in a godforsaken place. The film tells the story of a night in which all the events take place. It involves three people. One priest, a boy and a mysterious woman. The film starts with a message stating that the notion of good and evil has played a crucial part in human history. It has defined the moral beliefs and actions of individuals and civilizations for centuries. So, again, you can understand that the director wanted to put focus on the subject of good and evil. In the film, you can see a priest in front of the hindu goddess Kali worshiping with a boy. The priest is well-built but the boy is lanky and frail, who seems not interested with the proceedings. Next, we get to see a woman fiercely tied up. The film takes a unique turn from this point. What happens next can attract anyone who likes to gather knowledge about Hinduism.

It is evident from the making of the film that the writer-director Arniko Kumar Singh has an extensive knowledge about the subject. The writing is tight. Hence, you won’t find any loose moments in the film. While watching the film, you’ll sail smoothly with the story, proving Arniko’s directorial skills. Shishir Bishankhe’s camera work is absolutely fascinating. He captures a world that is still unknown to many. The way he has shot under low-light is really commendable. Next is editing. Ganesh Chhetri edited the film in a fascinatingly refreshing way. The seamlessness of the film show’s Ganesh’s prowess over his craft. And talking about acting, Anoop Bikram Shahi played the role of the priest/man. He has really done a great job. Malika Mahat played the role of the mysterious woman. Her presence has added more charm to the film. Her acting skills do justice to the film. However, it is the boy, played by Sampanna Babu, who steals the show. His nonchalant acting makes the film worth watching. The background score of the film is also engaging. However, it is the animation department which has failed to put up a good show. Rest is all good.

The film ends in an interesting way, leaving people to think once again what is good and what is bad. The film’s message is quite simple- don’t trust everything you see the first time. If you dig deeper, you’ll find more interesting truths. This is the beauty of Dakini. The best part of this film is that it almost ‘forces’ you to read about the topic. I would certainly like to give 4.5 stars out of 5 to this film. However, I urge you to see the film at least once. It is a worth-watching film. You’ll have a different experience, for sure.