Do I Exist: A Riddle is based on René Descartes’s philosophy and Buddhism

In writer-director Dhruva Harsh’s short film Do I Exist: A Riddle, the character of the male protagonist is influenced by Gautam Buddha and, coincidentally, he is named Siddhartha. But there is a twist. 

“Here Siddhartha, the protagonist, is already dead but still stuck in the matrix called ‘maya’ in Sanskrit," said a note from the makers. "He seems utterly confused between life and death, dream and reality; he forgets time and place and keeps dwelling in the same house where he lived with his wife Marvi. The film features René Descartes’s philosophy ‘Cogito, ergo sum’ (I think, therefore I am) and Buddhism combined.”

Starring Anurag Sinha as Siddhartha, Nancy Thakkar as his wife Marvi and Nishant Karki as a monk, the film is produced by Uttpal Acharya, Surabhi Bhattacharjee and Dhruva Harsh.  

Throwing more light on the subject, Bhattacharjee told Cinestaan.com, “The film Do I Exist: A Riddle deals with the real world we exist in and the world beyond our senses and asks us to consider the possibility that both worlds coexist.”

She believes the film is relevant in today’s troubled times. “The lockdown made us feel like we were in prison or under house arrest," Bhattacharjee said. "We are experiencing an unparalleled sense of physical confinement during the pandemic. It is disturbing for our peace of mind and forcing us to question our existence.”

Do I Exist: A Riddle is now available on Disney+ Hotstar.