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Pyre
Film poster
Directed by	Vinod Kapri
Written by	Vinod Kapri
Produced by	Sakshi Joshi Vinod Kapri
Starring	Padam Singh Hira Devi
Cinematography	Manas Bhattacharyya
Edited by	Patricia Rommel Subhajit Singha
Music by	Mychael Danna Amritha Vaz
Production companies	Bhagirathi Films Mashakbeen Studios
Distributed by	Cinépolis
Release dates	2024 (2024) (Film Festivals) 30 October 2026 (2026-10-30) (India)
Country	India
Language	Hindi

Pyre is a 2024 Indian Hindi-Kumaoni language 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,^[1][2] 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.

In the remote 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."

• Padam Singh Kapri as Padam
• Hira Devi as Tulsi
• Subhash Chandra as Laxman
• Shubham Chaudhary as Jeewan
• Sadab Khan as Bishan
• Alok Verma as Kesar
• Gopa Nayal as Kamala
• Deewan Kanwal as Bhopal
• Jaya Shah as Devki
• Pushpa Pandey as Janki

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.^[3] 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.^[4]

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."^[5][6]

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."^{[7][8][9] [10]}

The film was originally scheduled for theatrical release in India on 23 October 2026 but was later postponed to 30 October 2026. It will be distributed by Cinépolis.^[46]

• Pyre at IMDb