Caste documentary premieres in California

‘The Caste Rush’ is directed by Nikhil Singh Rajput, and produced by Indic Dialogue.

Poster of 'The Caste Rush' and screening of the film in California / The Caste Rush website, Courtesy photo

Nikhil Singh Rajput's 'The Caste Rush' premiered at the Fine Arts Theatre in Southeast Beverly Hills, California on Aug. 9, 2025.

Produced by Indic Dialogue, the film is a 60-minute documentary that examines caste-based discrimination in India. It takes a closer look at the temple entry bans and the realities of the Hindu social system. Co-produced by Shoma Productions, the film combines stories and expert insights to debunk myths and provide an analysis of the realities of the now-outlawed but once-practiced social system.

Madhu Hebbar, a noted cultural commentator, praised the film’s ability to bridge personal narratives with broader societal questions. He said, “The Caste Rush challenges us to look beyond mainstream narratives and see the harmony in India’s diverse society.”

ALSO READ: Hansal Mehta's ‘Gandhi’ becomes first Indian series to premiere at TIFF

After the screening, a Question-and-Answer session was also organized. Moderated by Adelle Nazarian, the panel featured Professor Praveen Sinha and filmmaker Rajput.

Prof Sinha highlighted the importance of the film and said, “Recent CISCO case and SB403 bill (in California) used a report which used bad quality of data and defective process to arrive at a predetermined result, and it had an adverse impact on the minority Hindu community”. Sinha’s insights into his legal efforts and the film’s societal impact left the audience inspired and engaged in robust dialogue.

Attendees shared glowing reactions to the evening. “The Caste Rush opened my eyes to the complexities of caste and came to realize that marginalized communities are part and parcel of the temple ecosystem,” said Nupur, a local professional.

She added, “It’s a must-watch.”

Another viewer, Sanjiv P from the Dalit Bahujan Solidarity network, said: “Such fact-based portrayal of ground realities can foster mutual respect and trust in American Hindu communities.

Shraddha, a student, noted, “The Q&A with Professor Sinha and Director Nikhil Singh Rajput was powerful—he made the film’s issues feel urgent and relevant. I came to realize the lesser-known side of the story of Dalit participation in the Temple ecosystem.”

Sarvesh from San Bernardino noted that the stories presented in the film made him nostalgic and he felt happy to see his childhood experiences made it to the film.

The documentary has been endorsed and supported by many organizations across North America, including CoHNA, Hindu American Foundation (HAF), Americans4Hindus, Ambedkar-Phule Network of American Dalits and Bahujans (APNADB), Temples and multiple linguistic groups.

Comments

This is a Premium Article, available exclusively to our subscribers.

Read 500+ such News or articles every month by subscribing today!
Monthly

Free

Limited Access

Limited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Subscribe Now
Monthly

$10

Full Access

Unlimited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Free daily newsletter

Subscribe Now
Annual

$50

Full Access

Unlimited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Free daily newsletter

Subscribe Now
Start the conversation

Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.

Sign Up Now

Already have an account? Login