Bollywood should undoubtedly learn a few lessons from director #PavanKaul on how to make a genuine biopic. #TheAnswer is the story of a young n restless American who shuns all material comforts n sets out to discover inner peace. He keeps traveling n finally meets #Paramahansayogananda. He surrenders himself completely to the guru n becomes his steadfast disciple. Many years later, this american comes to be known as swami kriyananda. Good performances by Banerjee n Gulaptis. The locations, costumes, music n dialogues seem authentic. Worth watching. Thanks to #pvrcinemas for screening the film. Rating 3/5.
50 Reviews
Paramhansa Yogananda as the star of a movie
asha-5549326 June 2019
So rare these days to find a truly uplifting spiritual movie. .Paramhansa Yogananda's, AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI, helped launch and continues to inspire a worldwide spiritual revolution. First published in 1946, it continues to be a best seller. Yet in all these years, there have been almost no films about this towering spiritual figure. Now we have an extraordinary, internationally produced story about the Guru and one of his foremost disciples, Swami Kriyananda. Kriyananda is American; Yogananda is from India. It is a full dramatization based on the disciple's autobiography, THE NEW PATH. Gorgeous cinetography, beautiful musical soundtrack, extraordinary performance by the famous Indian actor Victor Bannerjee as the Guru.
Extremely well done
chrisgorski-7089026 June 2019
Highly recommended!
gary-5502626 June 2019
"Spiritual movies" can be problematic. The portrayal of saintly people often lacks any real energy or inspiration. The Answer is quite well done on all levels. We are all on a spiritual search whether we know it or not! This movie can inspire a search for the deeper meaning of life - what more can one ask?
Touching story!
romanophilip26 June 2019
It's hard to play a sat guru but Victor Banerjee does an incredible job. He is funny, down to earth, natural, powerful, and believable in the role of Yogananda. You feel as if you are at the feet of the guru. Leon G conveys young Swami Kriyananda's sincerity, enthusiasm, and love for his guru. Highly recommended for anyone wanted to know what it was like to be with the Master.
Enjoyed, made Yogananda seem real
begley-1426126 June 2019
I liked this-Bannerjee's portrayal of Yogananda was refreshingly human, as well as divine. It seems to touch on just the highlights of Kriyananda's meeting him, but satisfyingly--like it could be us in his shoes as well. Thanks, all!
A Must See!
mcgill-9358326 June 2019
For those who have been touched by Paramhansa Yogananda this movie gives fabulous insights into his ways of teaching and guiding students and disciples. Lovingly portrayed by Victor Banerjee, this movie is well worth seeing.
Deeply inspiring film
burkecj16 July 2019
An inspiring spiritual film that touches the heart. Based on the book written by Swami Kriyanada, "The New Path", an autobiographical account of a direct disciple of the great Indian master and author of the spiritual classic, "Autobiography of a Yogi", Paramhansa Yogananda. The is the true story of one young man's desperate search for meaning and purpose in life. He comes to find the all-fulfilling answer to life's great mysteries at his guru's feet, that life is the quest for joy; for joy in God. Excellent acting, beautiful soundtrack, and a deeply fulfilling storyline that gives hope to all who watch; that life does have a purpose and life is full of meaning for those who ask the right questions.
Direct account of being with Yogananda
premdasghirla27 June 2019
This movie allowed me to have an further glimpse and experience of what it was like to be in Yogananda's presence as well as what it means to be a disciple dedicated to fulfilling a guru's mission. Victor Bannerjee channeled the essence of this great yogi, bringing to life on screen the power and presence of Yogananda.
A must for spiritual seekers
wkushler26 June 2019
This movie is a must for spiritual seekers. No matter a person's spiritual path this movie depicts the relationship between a seeker and a true teacher. For anyone who has read the Autobiography of a Yogi, this movie brings dimension to the great spiritual teacher, Paramhansa Yogananda. Victor Banerjee embodied His essence. We get to witness His power, humor and great devotion. A teacher for this age. The story unfolds through the life of Swami Kriyananda. We get to see first hand the lessons one goes through to release the grasp of delusion and ego. A powerful movie.
Such a moving and inspiring story, worth repeated viewings
sitabaisuzanne26 June 2019
I've already seen the film twice and loved it to the extreme both times. Some scenes bring me to tears to see the spiritual love of a spiritual Master for his disciple. The story is touching and real. The spiritual seeker whose life story is featured in the film faces real life problems to overcome, real doubts in life, and has genuine and pure aspirations. It gives all of us hope that our inner journey and soul-seeking may one day bring us to our ultimate spiritual fulfillment. I highly recommend the film to any truth-seeker.
Amazing True Story
premierdemosandsales26 June 2019
This is a story of a teacher and a disciple. Two enlightened people who bonded to bring truth and beauty to the world. I was impressed with the writing and the actors who played their parts. I recommend this movie to anyone wanting to be on a path of self discovery. It is well thought out and extremely deep in nature. I hope that it comes to Seattle again because my friends would like to see it.
An inspiring movie!!
suvan16 July 2019
I LOVE this movie and have seen it three times. I'll easily watch it again given the chance. I'm so inspired by the life of Swami Kriyananda and having some knowledge of him, I can attest to the truthfulness of this story. Though a viewer might not normally be inclined toward spirituality, experiencing this story makes one understand that bridges can be built between east and west.
A very touching and inspiring movie
carinara4 September 2018
This wonderful story about a devotee (Swami Kriyananda) and his Guru (P. Yogananda)
is a very genuine, touching and inspiring movie which has the potential to transform millions.
The performances by Victor Bannerjee and Leonidas Gulaptis are poignant and soul touching.
Very highly recommended.
Very highly recommended.
Guru Disciple Relationship Beautifully Explained
premdas-8782710 November 2017
This movie is special for me because i see Paramhansa Yogananda's character, played on the screen. The author of Autobiography of a Yogi doesn't reveal much about himself in his book. This movie written by his direct disciple Swami Kriyananda tells this part very beautifully!Its a must watch for every truth seeker. The Answer delivers the promise of finding an Answer!
Are you ready for it??
Are you ready for it??
Beautiful Film and Beautiful Score
daligi16 July 2019
Swami's Life Made a Difference in Countless Other Lives
debbiekfletcher17 July 2019
The movie The Answer is for anyone seeking to experience a true life story about God working through the life of a young man, who dedicated his life for over 60 years to help countless others find happiness in God. The simplicity of its presentation is sweet. The movie can tell you the rest.
Not to be missed
halbmond-820604 September 2018
This true story about James Donald Walters (later Swami Kriyananda the founder of the Ananda communities world wide) and his inspiring journey of self-realisation which will touch the hearts and souls of every seeker.
This movie is a MUST SEE.
How to seek .... voyage of the seeker
anup-cak5 December 2017
Spiritually inclined, I had read many spiritual books and quite a few from the wonderful Swami Kriyananda, founder of Ananda Sangha. One of them the New Path, his Autobiography was especially exciting and a deep learning curve of the quest, hardships and perseverance and a life long dedication first to finding a teacher and then to dedicate ones life for the teaching, in what one believes in. That is the the secret to success in any sphere and walks of life, without exception. And when I heard a movie had been made and it had won awards all over the globe at festivals I had to see it. Thank the gods that I had mutual friends who helped me get an invite to the private premiere of this movie and it ticked all the boxes, that one eagerly awaits to see after reading a book. The characters chosen were apt and pulled of their roles well enough to bring us back to an era where such god men and their god like disciples lived. Like the expectations come after reading LOTR or the Harry Potter series, the anticipation is an experience similar for each scene in this movie. I rank it high with movies like Padre Pio and such. A highly recommended watch.
Moving account of a spiritual search
nischala-6592917 July 2019
We rarely get to look into the life of modern day saints through the lens of someone who shows us the struggles of what it's like growing up in a world of bullies and insensitive critics. What struck me about this story was the honesty and vulnerability of the disciple and his inner feelings as a child and later as an adult encountering the great yoga master Yogananda. I have watched this twice and will do so many more times because it gives me hope and upliftment in a world of noisy cynicism.
Most Rewarding and Thrilling movie experience!
ekamsat9 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I was lucky to get into a screening of this wonderful spiritual movie, and was moved by the timeless philosophies that were woven into this truly masterful work on screen. The Answer has an answer for all viewers of every denomination. It is universal in portraying the underlying soul search for a deeper meaning and purpose to life. A must watch. It is a part of the Autobiography (The New Path) of one of the greatest spiritual seers of our age, Swami Kriyananda, and his relationship with the peerless Master, Paramhansa Yogananda. This movie might not take it's seat among summer blockbusters, with their action/CGI etc
but it will stay a classic for decades to come slowly but surely inspiring and uplifting its viewers to search for themselves the deeper meaning of life. It is a sincere and a unique attempt to portray a fundamental aspect of all human life, 'to achieve a potential' that eastern mysticism has long maintained as the sole and highest purpose of all life. I would request all viewers to watch with an open mind, and to simply look within themselves for their dreams and potentials that awaken.
Uplifting Spiritual Journey
rubystoppe17 July 2019
A truly eternal experience
abhinav-g-121 July 2019
Finding God in Los Angeles!
parvati-2652217 July 2019
This movie portrays the early life and ongoing search for truth of one of Paramhansa Yogananda's closest direct disciples, Swami Kriyananda. The simplicity of life at that time, and the deeply moving first contact that Don Walters (later known as Swami Kriyananda) had with his guru, are real and deeply touching. They show the subtle experience of a disciple meeting his guru in this lifetime.
Some reviews written about the movie expressing the lack of sophistication of acting, and phony smiles, etc., are missing the point. It was a simpler time in the late 1940's and, in this case, the smiles are genuine.
I highly recommend The Answer for those who are interested in watching a movie that portrays the soul's search for truth, and the finding of it at his guru's ashram in the middle of Los Angeles!
An inspiring and touching story
sahaja-7686019 July 2019
I've already watched this movies several times and I keep watching it every time I'm in need of inspiration. It's the beautiful story of the encounter between a young man and his spiritual guru, and of the touching relationship, both human and divine, that ensues from that encounter. Beautiful story, great cinematography, uplifting soundtrack.
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