The story of Vivesini

Shakthi takes up her rationalist father’s mission - trekking in a forest widely believed to be haunted to debunk local claims. But after she witnesses a series of inexplicable events in the forest, she isn’t so sure there’s a rational explanation…

A mystified Shakthi seeks explanations for the ghosts that haunt both the forest and her mind.

With her friends Alice (from London), and Charles (from New York), they unite with a centuries-old spirit from the renaissance to probe the forest's secrets and unravel its mystery - and accidentally trigger a social awakening.

The journey so far

How Vivesini breaks the rules - a relentless journey of a lifetime.

The Maverick Moviemaker is an interview with the director of Vivesini that details the intrepid journey of the film’s creation.

Read "The Maverick Moviemaker”

Vivesini meets The Freethinker

21st July 2022 marked the first exclusive private screening of Vivesini at The Conway Hall, London.
The Conway Hall is a historic seat of secularist, rationalist, ethical and humanist reform since 1929.

With Bob Forder and Stephen Evans of the National Secular Society in London

Bob, Stephen, and Bhavan with a copy of the Freethinker

Emma Park (editor of The Freethinker) with Bhavan Rajagopalan in conversation with the audience at the screening of Vivesini

The Brookwood Cemetery. Visiting the grave of rationalist Charles Bradlaugh with Bob Forder

Emma and Bhavan with an article about The Thinker and Tattuva Vivesini (from The Hindu October 5th 2013)

The Conway Hall - a historic seat of secularist, rationalist, ethical and humanist reform.

“Above all, I want [my viewers] to be persuaded of the importance of rational thinking and free thought, the value of standing against oppression in any form, and the importance of welcoming progressive ideas that can liberate humanity from the restrictions of narrow religious worldviews.”
- Bhavan Rajagopalan, Director

Read the full interview with The Freethinker here.

“It is very much still a live issue in India, and something which has not reached every level of society. Therefore, the work of people like Bhavan to bring it to light is really very important.”

— Emma Park
Editor, The Freethinker

“I really appreciate the way you have drawn attention to the work of important rationalists like Charles Bradlaugh, freethinkers, and atheists, by continuing relevance of what they have to say in our modern world.”

— Bob Forder
Historian, council member of the National Secular Society

Vivesini in the media

‘Vivesini’ starring actor Nassar to show at the Harrow Arts Centre for Tamil Heritage Month

Marking Tamil Heritage Month with film, ReelN curated film Vivesini will be shown at two UK venues,
namely Harrow Arts Centre and Arc, Stockton Arts Centre – attracting audiences from both London,
Teesside and the surrounding areas.

Read the article on Popcorn Pixel

Read the article in Kanaiyazhi

Read the article in Ananda Vikatan

“First of all, many congratulations for making this film on a very important theme, particularly in the context of today’s India. It includes all the topics that a film in 2022 must include.”

— Sanghita Sen
University of St. Andrews

“Vivesini announces the arrival of a committed and creative writer-director in Bhavan who straddles mainstream storytelling with activist politics, and the local with global with ease and finesse.”

— Swarnavel Eswaran
Michigan State University