Documentary 'Miracle in Antarctica' Chronicles Creation of India's First Antarctic Base
A new documentary titled Miracle in Antarctica chronicles the establishment of Dakshin Gangotri, India’s first scientific base station on the frozen continent. Produced by writer and filmmaker Sourabha Rao and directed by Santosh Saligram, the film details how the station was constructed during the 1983–84 Antarctic summer under the leadership of geophysicist and seismologist Dr. Harsh Kumar Gupta.
The project was initiated through the Hamsagatha Foundation, a Bengaluru-based non-profit organization co-founded by Rao and Saligram. The idea originated after filmmaker Prakash Matada met Dr. Gupta in early 2025. Dr. Gupta, who authored the 2021 book Building Dakshin Gangotri at Antarctica: A Miracle published by the Geological Society of India, was seeking to adapt the story into a film. Because Matada was committed to other projects, he referred the opportunity to Rao and Saligram.
Origins and Funding of the Documentary
Initial efforts to launch the documentary faced funding challenges. Dr. Gupta provided seed money to begin the project, enabling the filmmakers to commence interview recordings in May of the previous year. The production later secured main financial support through paperwork approved by the Ashraya Hastha Trust, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, and the Samagata Foundation.
To capture the history of the expedition, the production team interviewed key figures who participated in the mission. In addition to Hyderabad-based Dr. Gupta, the filmmakers recorded interviews with expedition team members Ashok Hanjura in Delhi and KJ Mathew in Kochi.
Production Details and Visual Archiving
Although initially conceived as a short film, the project expanded into a full-length documentary. The filmmakers utilized a combination of veteran interviews, archival material, stock footage, and custom animation. To address initial shortages of historical visual material, director Santosh Saligram located an older documentary to assist the narrative. The team also collaborated with Indiranagar-based LastBench Studio to create animations that recreated specific historical scenes, opting against the use of actors.
The documentary features a musical score composed by Lakkshya, an Indian fusion band whose members are trained in Indian classical music alongside Western styles such as jazz. The producers selected the score to blend traditional Indian musical elements with broader global styles.
Focus on Climate Change and Premiere Details
Beyond historical and geopolitical context, the documentary emphasizes environmental concerns, planetary health, and climate change. According to Rao, the film aims to amplify the perspectives of scientists regarding extreme weather and global warming rather than focusing solely on nostalgia or nationalistic themes.
Miracle in Antarctica is scheduled to premiere on October 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Bangalore International Centre in Domlur.
