Kumaré
A provocative documentary follows Vikram Gandhi’s invented guru as a spiritual prank becomes an unsettling test of faith, authenticity, and responsibility.
Overview
A thought-provoking exploration of belief and deception in the quest for enlightenment.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- irreverent
- provocative
- thought provoking movie night
- documentary double feature
What critics said
Critics found the documentary inventive and often funny, while remaining divided over the morality of Gandhi’s deception and the film’s limited self-reflection.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Vikram Gandhi impersonates Sri Kumaré and develops a following among Arizona disciples.
The invented guru gains credibility through new age teachings, yoga practices, and ritualized self-help.
The disciples respond meaningfully to Kumaré's fabricated religion, complicating the morality of Gandhi's deception.
Reviewers note that Gandhi's deception becomes difficult to contain as the guru's popularity grows.
Films like Kumaré, and why
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
documentary-driven impersonation, social satire, and ethically provocative interactions with unsuspecting participants
The Invention of Lying
comic examination of fabricated belief systems, performance, and the consequences of manipulating followers
The Yes Men
observational documentary humor focused on constructed personas, public belief, and uncomfortable ethical questions
The Tom Green Show
irreverent documentary satire examining self-help culture and the blurred boundary between performance and truth
Movie Details
- Director
- Vikram Gandhi
- Release Date
- 2012-06-20
- Runtime
- 86 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (90)
Cast
- Vikram Gandhi
- Purva Bedi
- Kristen Calgaro
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Kumaré about?
- A provocative documentary follows Vikram Gandhi’s invented guru as a spiritual prank becomes an unsettling test of faith, authenticity, and responsibility.
- What is Kumaré like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Kumaré as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Kumaré violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Kumaré.
- What did critics think of Kumaré?
- Critics found the documentary inventive and often funny, while remaining divided over the morality of Gandhi’s deception and the film’s limited self-reflection.
- Which films are like Kumaré?
- Films with a similar feel include Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, The Invention of Lying, The Yes Men, and The Tom Green Show.
- How long is Kumaré?
- Kumaré runs 86 minutes.
- Where can I watch Kumaré?
- In United States, Kumaré is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube.
