The City of Good Death

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Banaras, Varanasi, Kashi: India's sacred city along the Ganges, known by many names, embodies a singular promise for Hindus—the chance for a good death and release from reincarnation through purifying fire. As the manager of a death hostel in Kashi, Pramesh assists families navigating the rituals of farewell, encouraging them to detach from their loved ones. After a decade in this timeless city, he finds solace in the routine of life at the hostel with his wife, Shobha, their daughter, Rani, and a steady stream of families. However, everything changes when a man resembling Pramesh is pulled from the river, stirring memories of his cousin Sagar, with whom he shared a deep bond in childhood. Their paths diverged when Pramesh left for the outside world while Sagar remained to tend the family land. After marrying Shobha against familial wishes, a rift formed between the cousins that Pramesh thought he had buried. But Sagar's unexpected return disrupts their lives, casting shadows over the family’s stability. As strange occurrences unfold in the hostel, Pramesh must confront his beliefs about death, rebirth, and the ties that bind him to his past.