Hare Krishna! The Mantra, The Movement and The Swami Who Started It All

Alone, unknown, and nearly 70 years old, a Swami steps off a ship into a restless America searching for answers.

In 1965, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada arrives in New York City with no money, no support, and a single purpose: to share the spiritual teachings of bhakti yoga. Offering a simple practice—the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra—he speaks to a generation disillusioned with politics and social reform, pointing instead toward inner transformation.

From a small storefront on the Lower East Side, his message spreads rapidly—reaching artists, seekers, and eventually global audiences. Through rare archival footage, personal recordings, and firsthand accounts, this film captures the rise of a movement that inspired devotion, sparked controversy, and challenged cultural norms.

When a spiritual path enters the mainstream, who decides what it means?