Watch Searching for Sheela
- 2021
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4.3 (1,559)
Searching for Sheela is a 2021 documentary film that revolves around the life of Ma Anand Sheela, who is known for her association with Osho, a spiritual guru in India. The documentary is directed by Shakun Batra and produced by Karan Johar's Dharmatic Entertainment. Ma Anand Sheela, formerly known as Sheela Birnstiel, first came into the limelight during the 1980s as the spokesperson for the Rajneesh movement, led by Osho. The movement, also known as the Osho movement, was a controversial cult that had a large following.
The documentary takes us on a journey through Ma Anand Sheela's life after her release from prison in 1988. Sheela had been serving time for her role in the bioterror attack in Oregon in 1984, which had left over 700 people sick. Sheela was sentenced to 20 years in prison, but she was released after serving 39 months.
In Searching for Sheela, we see how Sheela has transformed over the years. She has become a successful businesswoman and is now a resident of Switzerland. Sheela is also shown performing at various events, where she sings and dances. Sheela has come a long way from being Osho's right-hand woman to becoming an international celebrity.
The documentary also shows how Sheela has been perceived by the media over time. Sheela says that the media has always portrayed her as a villain, and she has faced a lot of criticism as a result. However, Sheela remains unapologetic and maintains that she did what she thought was necessary at the time.
The film also touches upon Sheela's relationship with Osho. Sheela says that she had a very close relationship with Osho, but it was purely platonic. Sheela also reveals that she was not happy with the way Osho handled the commune towards the end, and this is what led to her leaving the movement.
The documentary features interviews with several people who are close to Sheela, including her personal assistant, her lawyer, and an old friend. We see how they perceive Sheela and how she has influenced their lives.
One of the most interesting aspects of the documentary is the juxtaposition of Sheela's past and present. We see footage from the 1980s, where Sheela is addressing huge crowds and giving interviews to the media. This is contrasted with Sheela's current life, where she leads a much more private existence.
Overall, Searching for Sheela is an engaging documentary that provides a fascinating insight into the life of one of the most controversial figures in recent Indian history. Whether you like her or not, there is no denying that Ma Anand Sheela is a woman who has lived life on her own terms, and this documentary is a testament to that.
Searching for Sheela is a 2021 documentary. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.3.