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{{short description|Indian Hindi-Kumaoni language drama film}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{COI|date=December 2025}}
{{Promotional|date=December 2025}}
}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Pyre
| image = Pyre Film Poster.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Film poster
| director = [[Vinod Kapri]]
| writer = [[Vinod Kapri]]
| producer = Sakshi Joshi [[Vinod Kapri]]
| starring = Padam Singh Hira Devi
| cinematography = Manas Bhattacharyya
| editing = Patricia Rommel Subhajit Singha
| music = Mychael Danna Amritha Vaz
| studio = Bhagirathi Films Private Limited
| released = {{Film date|2024}}
| country = India
| language = Hindi
}}

'''''Pyre''''' is an Indian (Hindi-Kumaoni) language [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] directed by filmmaker [[Vinod Kapri]]. Pyre had its world premiere at the 28th [[Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival]] in the Official Competition section, where it won the best film PÖFF Audience Award. Pyre was also the opening film at 16th [[Bengaluru International Film Festival]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pyre: A Heartfelt Tale of Love and Resilience {{!}} Entertainment |url=https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/3273966-pyre-a-heartfelt-tale-of-love-and-resilience |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Devdiscourse |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Vinod Kapri's 'Pyre' selected for Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival |url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/entertainment/2024/10/19/ent7-festival-vinod-kapri.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref> marking its Indian premiere, and has won the Jury Special Mention Award in the Asian Cinema Competition section. Pyre also won the Best Film Audience Award in Spain, London, and Birmingham, and recently, Pyre won the Best Feature Film Grand Jury Award in Stuttgart, Germany.

== Plot ==
In the remote [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]] region of [[Uttarakhand]], an 80-year-old man named Padam Singh walks through the mountainous terrain, beating a small drum and invoking gods and goddesses in a shaky folk tune. His frail wife, Tulsi, follows him, wearing a mismatched saree, shirt, and a rag tied around her head. The two elderly figures navigate steep, rocky paths, their journey seemingly aimless, until Padam suddenly suggests that they close their eyes and jump off a cliff together. This moment marks both an ending and a beginning—the story unravels to reveal how they reached this point.

Padam and Tulsi are among the last residents of their slowly disappearing village, where only a handful of neighbors and some goats remain. Migration has emptied their home, much like their own son, Hariya, who left for Bombay 28 years ago and never returned. With little to do, the couple passes time bickering, singing Kumaoni folk songs, and sharing simple joys—Padam drinks while Tulsi smokes beedi. Their companionship is filled with both love and quarrels, but beneath it lies the harsh reality of their isolation.

Despite his own aging body, Padam cares for Tulsi, who suffers from anemia and persistent coughing. When she needs medical attention, he calls upon the village’s last young men, Jeevan and Laxman, to carry her down to a doctor. In return, he offers them goats—his only possessions of value. However, change is inevitable. One day, the village postman, Bishan, delivers news that Jeevan has been selected for a job in Bombay, and Laxman, too, plans to leave soon. Padam realizes that with their departure, he and Tulsi will have no one left to help them, even in death.

Just as despair settles in, Bishan brings a long-awaited letter from their son, Hariya. He apologizes for his absence and promises to visit on the 5th of the next month. Tulsi, filled with renewed hope, prepares a feast for the remaining villagers to celebrate. They decorate their home, offer prayers at the temple, and wait eagerly for their son’s arrival. However, the promised day comes and goes with no sign of Hariya. As the rain pours down, Tulsi weeps, while Padam reassures her, though doubt lingers in his own heart.

Days later, another letter arrives. Hariya explains he couldn’t come due to his children’s exams but promises to visit on the 27th instead. Once again, hope is rekindled. But in the meantime, Jeevan leaves for his job, and Laxman prepares to depart, leaving the elderly couple completely alone. Padam worries—without help, who will carry Tulsi to the doctor? Worse, who will perform their last rites when the time comes?

As Tulsi’s health deteriorates, Padam makes a grim decision. He begins preparing for their end, setting up two pyres outside their home. He chants prayers, beating his drum, and asks Tulsi to follow him up the valley to jump together, ensuring neither has to live alone. She dismisses his idea, focusing instead on making dinner.

One day, as Padam returns home, Tulsi informs him that yet another letter has arrived from Hariya. This time, he says his daughter is unwell, so he won’t be able to visit. The weight of abandonment settles in. Padam echoes Tulsi’s hope in a resigned tone, whispering, "Yes, he’ll come… he will."

==Cast==
*Padam Singh as Padam Singh
*Heera Devi as Tulsi

== Reception and themes ==
''Asian Movie Pulse'' described Pyre as "a haunting, beautiful story that resonates deeply, leaving a lasting impact that lingers long after the screen fades to black." The publication highlighted the film's meditative pacing and emotionally resonant narrative, calling it a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the resilience of love.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Film Review: Pyre (2024) by Vinod Kapri | url=https://asianmoviepulse.com/2024/11/film-review-pyre-2024-by-vinod-kapri/ | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=asianmoviepulse.com}}</ref>
''DMovies'' noted the dual symbolism of the mountainous setting, stating, "The mountains hold the key to the film's most important takeaway. Their function is double-edged: they provide our protagonists with physical and emotional nurture, while also imprisoning them." The review praised the film's quiet philosophical undertones and its patient observation of an ageing couple on the fringes of society.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Pyre - DMovies | url=https://dmovies.org/2024/11/19/pyre// | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=dmovies.org}}</ref>

''El Perfil'' focused on the strength of the performances by the lead actors—both senior citizens and non-professionals—remarking on how their lived-in presence brought an unmatched realism to the screen. ''Eye For Film'' wrote: "There's a raw authenticity to the performances from the non-professional stars, who feel as fully part of this landscape as the scoring from [[Mychael Danna]] and Amritha Vaz. There's also a gentle absurdity, not just in the dialogue but in the way Padam takes a goat almost everywhere with him and frequently hangs his umbrella from the collar of his jacket for safekeeping."<ref>{{Cite web | title=Pyre (2024) Movie Review from Eye for Film | url=https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/pyre-2024-film-review-by-amber-wilkinson | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=www.eyeforfilm.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title="Pyre": la conmovedora obra maestra de Vinod Kapri que captura la soledad y la belleza del Himalaya - EL PERFIL | url=https://elperfil.pe/cine-y-series/pyre-la-conmovedora-obra-maestra-de-vinod-kapri-que-captura-la-soledad-y-la-belleza-del-himalaya/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR29heZPDM-Z9nNQsXQhFZ8gn1OSv0km4gZTyJW48o9zN7Qz6k7vgT-dmaw_aem_jxdsG0bk6Uy21i6v6GqAyA | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=elperfil.pe}}</ref>

''The Indian Express'' called Pyre "an evocative portrait of loneliness, migration, and old age," appreciating the grounded tone and cinematic restraint. Live Hindustan praised the emotional power of the story, while ''The Print'' and ''The Wire'' noted its "unflinching realism" and "cultural authenticity."<ref>{{Cite web | title=The Quiet Exodus: On Vinod Kapri's 'Pyre' - The Wire | url=https://thewire.in/film/the-quiet-exodus-on-vinod-kapris-pyre | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=thewire.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Pyre is a film about lonely parents in the Himalayas. It stars real villagers as actors | url=https://theprint.in/feature/around-town/pyre-is-a-film-about-lonely-parents-in-the-himalayas-it-stars-real-villagers-as-actors/2640638/?amp | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=theprint.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Meet the lead actors of Pyre, an ode to the reality of migration, old age and loneliness {{!}} Eye News - The Indian Express | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/meet-the-lead-actors-of-pyre-an-ode-to-the-reality-of-migration-old-age-and-loneliness-10123441/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250713164122/https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/meet-the-lead-actors-of-pyre-an-ode-to-the-reality-of-migration-old-age-and-loneliness-10123441/ | access-date=2025-07-26 | archive-date=2025-07-13}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.livehindustan.com/blog/vinod-kapris-pyre-is-no-less-than-oscar-winner-no-mans-land-hridayesh-joshi-201749983463982.html | title=वर्ष 2002 में बेस्ट फॉरेन फिल्म श्रेणी में ऑस्कर जीतने वाली फिल्म ‘नो मैन्स लैंड' इसलिए याद है, क्योंकि उसी श्रेणी में आमिर खान की ‘लगान' को भी नामित किया गया था… | language=hi | trans-title=The film 'No Man's Land', which won the Oscar in the Best Foreign Film category in 2002, is remembered because Aamir Khan's 'Lagaan' was also nominated in the same category... | website=www.livehindustan.com}}</ref>

==Accolades==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Festival Name
! Premiere date
! Country
! Award(s) / Nomination(s)
! Ref.

|-
| [[Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival]]
| 20 November 2024 (Opening weekend)
| [[Estonia]]
| '''Won:''' Best Film – Audience Award
| <ref>{{Cite web | title=Audience Award Winner 2024: Pyre | url=https://poff.ee/en/film/audience-award-winner-2024-pyre/ | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=poff.ee}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Vinod Kapri's 'Pyre' selected for Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival {{!}} Hindi Movie News - The Times of India | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/vinod-kapris-pyre-selected-for-tallinn-black-nights-film-festival/articleshow/114377133.cms | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web | title=Vinod Kapri's 'Pyre' wins Audience Award at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival {{!}} Bollywood - Hindustan Times | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/vinod-kapri-s-pyre-wins-audience-award-at-tallinn-black-nights-film-festival-101732435893735.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241124104928/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/vinod-kapri-s-pyre-wins-audience-award-at-tallinn-black-nights-film-festival-101732435893735.html | access-date=2025-07-26 | archive-date=2024-11-24}}</ref>

|-
| [[Bengaluru International Film Festival]]
| 1 March 2025 (Opening night film)
| [[India]]
| '''Won:''' Jury Special Mention – Asian Cinema Competition
| <ref>{{Cite web | title=BIFFes | url=https://biffes.org/filmdetails/591#section5 | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=biffes.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/amp/entertainment/vinod-kapri-directed-pyre-to-open-the-2025-bengaluru-film-festival/cid/2085103 | title=Vinod Kapri-directed 'Pyre' to open the 2025 Bengaluru Film Festival | website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Vinod Kapri's Pyre To Open 2025 Bengaluru Film Festival {{!}} Kannada - Times Now | url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/kannada/vinod-kapri-s-pyre-to-open-2025-bengaluru-film-festival-article-118486359 | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=www.timesnownews.com}}</ref>

|-
| [[MOOOV Film Festival]]
| 25 April 2025 (Festival: 2–10 May)
| [[Belgium]]
| Screened with strong audience response
| <ref>{{Cite web | title=Pyre — Vinod Kapri {{!}} Mooov | url=https://www.mooov.be/nl/agenda/pyre-nrd2 | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=www.mooov.be}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web | title=Instagram | url=https://www.instagram.com/sakshijoshi85/reel/DI6FfTMPyBZ/?locale=zh_CN&hl=da | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web | title=Archived copy | url=https://x.com/vinodkapri/status/1906726546481488351 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401051802/https://x.com/vinodkapri/status/1906726546481488351 | archive-date=2025-04-01}}</ref>

|-
| [[New York Indian Film Festival]]
| 21 June 2025
| [[United States]]
| '''Nominated:''' Best Actor, Best Actress
| <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Variety |date=2025-07-25 |title=Himalayan Drama ‘Pyre’ Claims Audience Award at London and Birmingham Indian Film Festivals (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/pyre-audience-award-london-birmingham-indian-film-festival-1236470299/ |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

|-
| Asian Summer Film Festival
| 19 July 2025
| [[Spain]]
|
* '''Won:''' Best Film – Audience Award
* '''Won:''' Jury Special Mention Award
| <ref>{{Cite web | title=Pyre - Festival Nits de cinema oriental de Vic | url=https://cinemaoriental.com/en/pelicula/pyre/ | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=cinemaoriental.com}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web | title=Instagram | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DL7cN69PAyP/ | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web | title=Instagram | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DMXpESmv0zC/ | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>

|-
| [[London Indian Film Festival]]
| 22 July 2025
| rowspan="2" | [[United Kingdom]]
|
* '''Won:''' Best Film Audience Award
* Sold‑out: BFI London screenings
| <ref>{{Cite web | title=Pyre - London Indian Film Festival | url=https://londonindianfilmfestival.co.uk/pyre/ | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=londonindianfilmfestival.co.uk}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=pyre-premiere#:~:text=With%20stunning%20views%20of%20the,of%20a%20changing%20mountain%20society.&text=Winner%20of%20the%20audience%20award,love%20in%20a%20changing%20land | title=UK Premiere: Pyre | website=whatson.bfi.org.uk}}</ref>
<ref>https://variety.com/2025/film/news/pyre-audience-award-london-birmingham-indian-film-festival-1236470299/</ref>
<ref> https://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/london-indian-film-festival-1 </ref>

|-
| Birmingham Indian Film Festival
| 22 July 2025
|
* '''Won:''' Best Film Audience Award
* Sold‑out: Birmingham screenings
| <ref>https://variety.com/2025/film/news/pyre-audience-award-london-birmingham-indian-film-festival-1236470299/</ref>
<ref>https://birminghamindianfilmfestival.co.uk/pyre/ </ref>

|-
| Indian Film Festival Stuttgart
| 26 July 2025
| [[Germany]]
| '''Won:''' Grand Jury Best Feature Film Award German Star of India Award
| <ref>{{Cite web | title=PYRE - Indisches Filmfestival | url=https://indisches-filmfestival.de/film/pyre/ | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=indisches-filmfestival.de}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web | title=Instagram | url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLz2COPPbbn/ | access-date=2025-07-26 | website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>
<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/DMsW8WfNWLZ/?img_index=4</ref>
|-
|DC South Asian Film Festival
|5 September 2025
| rowspan="3" |[[United States]]
|'''Won''': Best Feature Film
|<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Jangir |first=Sumit |date=2025-09-18 |title=Vinod Kapri’s Pyre wins Best Feature at DC South Asian Film Festival |url=https://diyatvusa.com/vinod-kapris-pyre-wins-best-feature-at-dc-south-asian-film-festival/ |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=Diya TV |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|India International Film Festival of Boston
|12 September 2025
|'''Won''': Best Feature Film, Best Director
|<ref name=":1" />
|-
|Chicago South Asian Film Festival
|21 September 2025
|'''Won''': Fiction Feature Audience Choice Award
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 September 2025 |title=Vinod Kapris Pyre wins award at Chicago South Asian Film Festival |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/entertainment/vinod-kapris-pyre-wins-award-at-chicago-south-asian-film-festival/ |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref>

|-
| Novi Sad Film Festival
| 18 September 2025
| [[Serbia]]
| '''Won:''' Best Director
| <ref> https://nsff.rs/movies/pyre</ref>
<ref> https://www.instagram.com/p/DO6J8-xE5A-/</ref>

|-
|49th São Paulo International Film Festival
| 16 October 2025
| [[Brazil]]
|South American Premiere
| <ref>https://mostra.org/en/arquivo/filme/11761</ref>

|-
|35th Bath Film Festival (FilmBath)
| 19 October 2025
| [[United Kingdom]]
|
| <ref>https://filmbath.org.uk/pyre</ref>

|-
|44th Cambridge Film Festival
| 26 October 2025
| [[United Kingdom]]
|
| <ref>https://www.cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk/film/2025/pyre</ref>

|-
|23rd Inverness Film Festival
| 7 November 2025
| [[Scotland]]
|Scottish Premiere
| <ref>https://www.facebook.com/vinod.kapriindia/posts/-pyre-scotland-premiere-today-another-proud-moment-pyre-is-heading-to-scotland-f/4345267015691807/</ref>

|-
|Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival
| 24 November 2025
| [[Canada]]
|'''Won''': Best Feature Film Award, Best Music Award
|<ref>https://www.newindiaabroad.com/english/entertainment/double-win-at-misaff-for-vinod-kapris-pyre</ref>
<ref>https://www.misaff.com/program2025-1</ref>

|-
|43rd Fajr International Film Festival
| 28 November2025
| [[Iran]]
|
| <ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/DRmsIsTksVR/</ref>
<ref>https://www.facebook.com/vinod.kapriindia/posts/pyre-in-iran-only-indian-film-in-international-competition-section-of-irans-larg/4366587250226450/</ref>

|-
|30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK)
| 13 December 2025
| [[India]]
|
| <ref>https://www.iffk.in/filmdetail/MTEzOTk1NTc3LjA4</ref>
<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/DRcpuclD0Lu/</ref>

|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|26899139}}
* {{Twitter|PyreFilm}}


[[Category:2024 films]]
[[Category:2024 Indian films]]
[[Category:Indian drama films]]
[[Category:2024 Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:2024 drama films]]

Pyre (film) - Revision history

CarlotaMacadam7: Creating