Sindhustan (2019) User Reviews

It brought me extreme joy and nostalgia to watch this

[scratchpost · 9/10 · 17 May 2020]

I have been looking forward to watching Sindhustan ever since the promos came out maybe a year ago. I missed it when I was last in India so the worldwide release made it super accessible. What stood out was the art direction and storytelling. The journey takes you through Sapna's legs on which she has tattooed the many stories collected about Sindhi collective history.

This bit of history of the partition of India, of memories of those who experienced it is so important for any culture to capture, so its youth may have some sense of grounding of 'a' place in the world -- and how different cultures deal with dislocation so differently. Sapna was looking for her place, and by making this film, in this non-invasive way, we have a chance to find our place and journey with her. The story also weaves in great references of poets and folk singers that are worth to explore as well as a recipe for the famous unique dish, Sindhi Curry! Enjoy!

The story of our lost community-

[aparna_badlani · 10/10 · 27 January 2021]

So interesting to know about the Sindhi community, their stories , their struggles , their challenges post partition. Sapna Bhavnani takes us through a journey about our culture , our food, our history and so much more. A must watch!

Watch Sindhustan

[sufilaghari · 10/10 · 2 February 2021]

"Sindhustan" is a movie on Sindhis and Sindh. I watched it several times and each time I got more ideas about what happened in partition with Sindh and Sindhis. Sapna Moti Bhavnani is based in Mumbai. She is a producer and director of Sindhustan. Sapna has never been in Sindh. Sapna is Sindhi. In her age of 36 she realized that her roots are in Sindh. Identity is a thrust and Sapna not only through mind and soul but also physically wants to travel to Sindh. However, her visa was denied. Tattoos on her body are permanent and will always remind her about her roots in Sindh. She herself has become Sindh. Sindhustan is a very unique name coined by our beloved Dada J P Vaswani. Sindhustan is an hour-long documentary movie worth watching to learn the soul of Sindh, which is love. The documentary has the message that from Mohen Jo Daro to Jhulelal , from Bhittai to Dada Vaswani and from dancing girl to Sapna there is love, love and only love. In Sindhustan there is neither a hero or heroine and nor a villain. This is a unique documentary movie in which Sapna has put efforts to reach out and educate young people through art that what is Sindhustan? What happened in partition? She speaks through her body and it is an art that is most powerful tool in the movie. This is first time in history that motherland is described through body art (tattoos). Sindhustan has already won four international awards and is also nominated for other two awards. This is more than a movie. It is a movement and whoever wants to join Sapna's movement must watch this movie. I highly recommend to young people to watch Sindhustan.

A unique perspective on being Sindhi

[mansha-62358 · 10/10 · 13 August 2020]

This contemporary documentary is a unique take on what it means to be Sindhi. It's a significant piece reflecting our heritage, partition, the ramifications of the migration and beautifully told stories by Sindhi individuals who made the journey after 1947 to the newly formed India. Sapna has personalized the Sindhi migration by using her body as a canvas and the backdrop of the film. The message I carried away from this pivotal piece of art was that each of us identify with being Sindhi in our own special way. Our culture may be diluted but should not be forgotten. Music is one such way to connect us to a truly beautiful culture - Sindhi.

Such an original migration story, it's one of a kind.

[chinni-00015 · 10/10 · 14 May 2020]

There is very few stories about sindhis, this is one of them..

Sindh muhinjhi Amma!

[london-fanboy · 10/10 · 21 March 2022]

Thoroughly enjoyed it. It's very rich visually and has beautiful tracks for accompaniment.

Speaking of the audio tracks, the one I really liked was where Abida Parveen is shown and the lyrics goes something like "kandhas arja allah khe".

Also, I really liked the way movie has used "Mukhe chhade wende".

I could understand some of the tattoos but not all. May be there is another video doing a deep dive on them?

Thanks for making it so well!

A must watch documentary told through the personnel lens of ink as story

[leahraphael · 10/10 · 26 January 2021]

Sindhustan tells an important story in a tableau of beautiful images and interviews that keep you engrossed through the directors personnel relationship with exploring her past. There are many moments in the film that stayed with me post my viewing due to the cross between performance and storytelling. The use of tattoos map a bloody story of migration The scene in which traditional Sindhi food is being prepared while the inked legs are moving on the countertops was just the right balance. This is a must watch.

A story had to be told to believe

[appycool-69616 · 10/10 · 14 May 2020]

Beautifully written and executed.. a movie told through her tattoos.. it's brilliant, emotional and real - just like Sapna Moti Bhavnani!!

Definitely a must watch for everyone even a Sindhi or not !!

[thewanderingsoul · 9/10 · 21 December 2023]

Being from a partition family myself and having heard of a few stories from my grandparents, I really felt we need more such documentaries and stories for everyone to know the history of Sindh and esp the migration. This documentary has really shed a light on many points that went unsaid and unheard in the history of migration. More power to Sapna for taking this movie and how well she has used every element esp her skin to tell a tale that all should know. Getting inked with the stories of partition is something only a brave heart could do. Loved every bit of it. Great watch. Kudos to the team.

A story that had to be told to believe

[appycool-69616 · 10/10 · 14 May 2020]

Beautifully written and executed.. a movie told through her tattoos.. it's brilliant emotional and real - just like Sapna Moti Bhavnani!!

Essence of Sindh Lives on...

[fatiguldc · 10/10 · 31 January 2021]

In the documentary Sindhustan, Sapna Bhavnani is tracing her roots while keeping a permanent record on her legs using needle and ink. This documentary moves us, Sindhis. Non-Sindhis can see through this a love story among people and their homeland called Sindh. This documentary has moved me personally, some moments in it gave me goosebumps. Sapna has beautifully captured that feeling and nostalgia that Sindhis feel when they meet another Sindhi somewhere in the world. Each and every one of us is so proud of our history, culture and mere essence of Sindh. Sindh is our nucleus, our orbit, where ever we go, wherever we are, we still revolve around Sindh. Sapna has given me so much hope through this documentary and she has tried to break the thick walls that Sindhis have built around themselves, particularly the ones who were forced to leave Sindh at the time of partition. It is not the materialistic needs but a sense of belonging gives us purpose in life. Like Sapna, I strive to preserve and revive the lost parts of our culture and heritage. I want to thank Sapna for putting it out there for the next generation of Sindhis to see where they belong.

It's my heritage and story well told

[tanaazbhatia · 10/10 · 23 May 2020]

The storytelling emotions and every element has been put together with passion and research . Watching our great aunts parents all be part of this wonderful documentary makes us realise where we come from and an emotional ride . I loved ur and recommend to all who are Sindhis and even those who just love true facts and story telling . Well done Sapna

The documentary to watch

[kaghzi · 10/10 · 26 January 2021]

One of the worst thing India and Pakistan partition did was forced migration of Sindhis. Sapna beautifully traced it with narrative from people experienced it. Highly recommended

Absolutely Brilliant!

[japjitkaur-29724 · 10/10 · 14 May 2020]

Beautifully told! One of the best documentary films out there!!!

Amazing,Must watch Movie

[mohitdadlani-02664 · 10/10 · 22 August 2020]

Jai Julelal

I am feeling very proud after watching this movie. What a great culture we have, We need to preserve it. Thank you Sapna and her Team for taking this initiative. God bless everyone involved in making of this film. Storyline Amazing Direction Out of box-What a concept to tell story. Cinematography-Hands down brilliant.

A unique take on migration

[amartyadodo · 8/10 · 16 May 2020]

The documentary about the largest migration in the history of India is told through interviews from people remembering the old country, from the creation of a specific sindhi dish, and finally tattooing all those experiences on every part of her body. Sapna Bhavnani creates a tapestry of memories and audio visual sensory elements and tries to join them to create a collage of the sindhi culture through tattoo and art. It is a unique way of showcasing migration, if a tad bit less accessible.

An evocative journey into a fascinating past

[weinenstein · 9 June 2020]

A meditative, soulful, journey, showing small snippets of the various different stories told by men and women who have lived through one of India's most turbulent events - the 1947 partition. A gentle and pleasant watch and very thought provoking. My favourite part about it was definitely the different characters lined up for the interviews, the ink on the narrator's legs are a novel way to preserve, honour and archive the story.