Journey (2014)

In the heart of Mumbai, a city alive with a vibrant mix of cultures, castes, and religions, the story of Safar unfolds. It's a tale of a young girl named Gouri, who hails from a remote village in Southern India. She is barely sixteen when her innocence is bartered in the name of the ancient Devadasi tradition, forcing her into the harrowing world of prostitution. As the film opens, we find Gouri brimming with determination to rewrite her life's script. She steps out of the shadowy confines of her friend Lakshmi's home, trading the grimy underworld she knows for the humble role of a maid. Her new employer is Dhan, a Parsi widow grappling with her own loneliness in the wake of her husband's death. Despite the stark contrast of their backgrounds, Gouri and Dhan build an unlikely camaraderie. The sprawling city of Mumbai, pulsating with thousands of diverse lives each day, serves as the backdrop for their journey, interspersing their individual tales of longing and resilience. However, just as Gouri begins to steady herself on this new path, her past threatens to engulf her once more. Through her encounters with Dhan and Salim, a middle-aged Muslim taxi driver, the film paints a poignant picture of the human spirit's tenacity. Safar is more than just Gouri's personal story; it's a testament to the shared experiences of solitude, yearning, and the relentless courage that thrives amidst the chaos of this gargantuan city.

Journey is a drama movie featuring Shweta Tripathi Sharma and directed by Pratyusha Gupta.

Journey is currently streaming on Mubi.