Film based on the enigmatic saint’s life slated for 2027 release; UK-based businesswoman Poonam Gupta OBE and US entrepreneur Vikalp Paliwal join hands to produce the project
Vrindavan Today | Bureau Report
Vrindavan/Agra, October 12: The life and spiritual legacy of Devaraha Baba, the enigmatic saint whose association with Vrindavan and the Braj region drew devotees from across India, is set to reach the big screen with Machan Baba, a feature film currently in development and scheduled for release in 2027.
The makers have unveiled the film’s title poster following the success of Hanuman Ansh, a film inspired by the life and legacy of Neem Karoli Baba. The new project will explore Devaraha Baba’s life, spiritual influence and the mysterious episodes associated with him, drawing on historical references, archival material, photographs and recollections of people connected with the saint.
Vrindavan and the Yamuna hold a special place in Devaraha Baba’s story. A significant part of his later life was associated with
Vrindavan, where devotees and prominent personalities from different walks of life would visit him for his blessings. The filmmakers’ ongoing research is examining his years in the holy town, along with accounts and memories preserved by people who knew him or visited him.
The Machan That Became His Identity
Devaraha Baba was widely recognised for his distinctive way of life. He lived on an elevated wooden platform, popularly known as a machan, often near a riverbank, and received devotees from this raised structure. His unusual lifestyle, spiritual reputation and the mystery surrounding his age contributed to his enduring public fascination.
Although varying claims have been made about his age, no definitive account has settled the question. The mystery surrounding his longevity is expected to form one of the intriguing aspects of the film.
His following extended beyond ordinary devotees to include prominent political figures. Accounts of his interactions with former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, among other national leaders, have become part of the popular narratives surrounding his life.
During a parliamentary discussion on the Liberhan Commission report in 2009, BJP leader Rajnath Singh reportedly referred to Devaraha Baba in the context of historical accounts claiming that King George V had met the saint in 1911.
Another widely circulated story connects Devaraha Baba with the Congress party’s adoption of the hand as its election symbol. According to a popular account, Indira Gandhi visited the saint to seek his blessings after the Congress party’s electoral defeat in 1977. Accounts of a meeting between Rajiv Gandhi and Devaraha Baba before the foundation-laying ceremony for the Ram temple in 1989 have also appeared in various narratives.
These stories, which vary in their documentation and historical verification, are among the accounts that the filmmakers are examining as part of their research.
Exploring His Connection with Neem Karoli Baba
An interesting dimension of Machan Baba is its proposed exploration of the relationship between Devaraha Baba and Neem Karoli Baba. Both saints were influential spiritual figures during broadly overlapping periods, and devotees’ recollections and oral accounts refer to meetings between them.
According to some of these accounts, Neem Karoli Baba held Devaraha Baba in particular esteem. The filmmakers are examining such narratives as they work to establish the historical and spiritual context of the film.
International Producers, Indian Spiritual Roots
The film is being produced by Poonam Gupta OBE, an Indian-origin businesswoman based in the United Kingdom, and Vikalp Paliwal, an entrepreneur based in the United States.
Gupta, who is known in British business circles by the nickname “Paper Queen”, has built her reputation in the paper and business sectors. Paliwal, who was born in Lucknow, is based in Austin, Texas, and has business interests in information technology and real estate.
Machan Baba is being developed under the banner of Ojas Films, the film and content division of Ojas Softech, a software and artificial intelligence company. Its digital brands include AstroSage AI. Ojas Softech founder Puneet Pandey hails from Agra.
Speaking about the project, producer Poonam Gupta OBE said, “Devaraha Baba’s life is fascinating not only from a spiritual perspective but also from a historical and human point of view. His memories are connected with Vrindavan and various other parts of the country. Our endeavour is to carefully study the available documents, recollections and experiences of people associated with him and present his story with reverence and cinematic sensitivity.”
Co-producer Vikalp Paliwal said, “The roots of Machan Baba lie firmly in the soil of India and its spiritual traditions, but the mystery, faith and human experiences at its heart can appeal to audiences anywhere in the world. Our effort is to preserve its Indian soul while presenting the story through a global cinematic language.”
Research Underway, Release Planned for 2027
The project is currently in the research and pre-production stages. The team is studying books on Devaraha Baba, old photographs, historical documents, eyewitness accounts and personal recollections of people associated with him. His years in Vrindavan and other parts of Braj are expected to be an important component of this research.
The filmmakers say the project will go beyond a conventional portrayal of miracles and extraordinary claims. Instead, it aims to explore the multiple layers of faith, history, politics, human experience and the unresolved mysteries surrounding the saint’s life.
For Vrindavan, where Devaraha Baba’s memory remains closely intertwined with the Yamuna and the town’s spiritual heritage, the film could bring renewed attention to an important figure in the region’s religious history.
With its release planned for 2027, Machan Baba seeks to introduce the life and legacy of the enigmatic saint to a wider audience in India and abroad.
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