Filmmaker Dr Dev Kannya Thakur’s documentary ‘Mein Hoon Pabuch’ has earned a significant international recognition with its selection for screening at the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2026. The film will have its Indian premiere on June 16 at the FD-NFDC Complex in Mumbai and has been chosen for the prestigious Prism Section under the Documentary category.
The Prism Section is known for showcasing path-breaking and outstanding films from India and around the world, highlighting exceptional cinematic achievements and compelling narratives. The selection of ‘Mein Hoon Pabuch’ places it among some of the most distinguished documentary works being presented at the festival.
The documentary explores the little-known yet remarkable cultural heritage of the Pabuch Brahmin community of Khadkahn village in Sirmaur district, part of Himachal Pradesh’s Hatti community. At its core, the film documents a living knowledge tradition that has survived for centuries in the remote Himalayan region and continues to be practised today.
Tracing the origins of this tradition to ancient Kashmir, once a celebrated centre of learning, the film examines how scholars from Himachal Pradesh travelled there to study the Sharada script and associated knowledge systems. On returning home, they adapted these traditions to local conditions, eventually giving rise to the unique Pavuchi manuscript tradition.
A central focus of the documentary is Sancha Vidya, a distinctive system of condensed Vedic wisdom preserved by the Pabuch Brahmins. Through the Sancha tradition, community members continue to offer guidance and solutions to people seeking their counsel.
The film also highlights the extraordinary preservation of manuscripts dating back to the 15th century. These invaluable texts are carefully safeguarded by families across the village, with generations dedicating themselves to the preservation and transmission of Pavuchi Vidya. Through this lens, ‘Mein Hoon Pabuch’ emerges as a powerful testament to India’s rich intellectual heritage and the enduring relevance of indigenous knowledge systems.
