Rishikesh Beatles Ashram in talks for Mendes' four-film project

The storied Beatles Ashram in Rishikesh could become a key location for Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sam Mendes' upcoming four-part film project chronicling the legendary British band's history. Preliminary plans indicate a production schedule of February 2027 for potential shooting at the northern Indian ashram, with approximately 250 crew members anticipated to be involved.

The Beatles Ashram, formally known as Chaurasi Kutiya, holds significant cultural importance as the site where John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr spent time in 1968 studying transcendental meditation under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The ashram has since become a major tourist attraction and cultural landmark, drawing fans and visitors from across the globe.

Mendes' multi-film venture represents an unprecedented cinematic undertaking, with each film expected to focus on different aspects or members of The Beatles' extraordinary career. The scale of the production, requiring a substantial crew and technical apparatus, underscores the ambition behind the project.

While discussions regarding the Rishikesh location remain in preliminary stages, confirmation of the shooting schedule and final permissions from relevant authorities would be required before production commences. The potential filming would mark a significant moment for both international cinema and India's cultural heritage sites.