Kaya – The Abode of Soul directed by Arindam Roy & Sandipan Dey

Kaya is a metaphysical drama that explores the boundaries between soul and body, identity and memory, life and death. At its heart, it is a story about control, forgiveness, and the eternal conflict between love and ego. The film follows Rudra Bhattacharya, a renowned author with the mystical ability to enter other people’s bodies—an ancient technique known as Parakaya Pravesh. When a demonstration of this power goes wrong, Rudra becomes trapped in the body of a journalist, Poulami, setting off a spiritual and psychological battle across time, memory, and lifetimes.

The story is rooted in Indian philosophy and reincarnation, blending the legendary debate between Adi Shankaracharya and Mandan Mishra with a modern identity crisis. It’s a film that aims to bridge emotion and metaphysics.

Kaya was co-directed by Arindam Roy (Bangalore) and Sandipan Dey (New Jersey, USA), and shot over five tightly packed days in Bangalore. The production was independently funded through contributions from friends and well-wishers, true grassroots crowdfunding. Without a traditional producer or studio, the team juggled multiple responsibilities, from logistics to creative decisions.

Post-production took place in Kolkata, with frequent remote collaboration across time zones. The team joined over Zoom to review cuts, discuss music, and refine sound. One major challenge came just before filming; team did not get permission to shoot at a location and had to find a replacement outdoor spot within 24 hours.