Have you heard of a man named Chandra Mohan Jain? It is likely most of you would not bat an eyelid at the mention of this name. However if one mentions the name Rajneesh or Osho, it is likely to set bells ringing. Wild Wild Country on Netflix is a Netflix documentary that chronicles some of the chapters of the controversial Godman who scaled the peaks of popularity and plummeted to the depths of notoriety in the eighties, much like the rise and fall of Harshad Mehta of Scam 1992 fame, though the domains over which they ruled were ostensibly different, “Spirituality”, and “Money Market”. Read on to know more about the Netflix documentary Wild Wild Country.

Wild Wild Country Netflix Documentary

Wild Wild Country on Netflix is a documentary that chronicles the years of Osho in America, where he had a large commune built, and traces events in his life and those of his close associates, till his death in Pune in 1990.

Wild Wild Country – Who Was Rajneesh?

Rajneesh was born Chandra Mohan, the eldest of eleven children to Jain parents in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. His childhood was far from extraordinary. He started making waves from a small apartment in Mumbai, where he started giving public lectures. He decried and criticized most religions for their “regressive” and “restrictive” dogmas. He propounded a lifestyle that had no restrictions and promised ultimate freedom in a Utopia that he dreamt of.

From Mumbai, Rajneesh moved to Pune, where he established a big Ashram. His particular brand of spirituality drew many people from the west who were looking for a different way of life, something that would lift them from the monotony of materialism. People came to his fold, surrendering their houses, bank balances, wealth, and all worldly affairs. Rajneesh courted controversy for advocating ‘free love (read sex)” in his Ashram. There were rumours of sex orgies in his Ashram which are believed to have turned violent at times.

It was but a matter of time before the nefarious activities of the Ashram drew the ire of the Indian authorities and Rajneesh and his entourage left in search of their Utopia in the distant shores of America.

Wild Wild Country – Netflix Documentary – The Plot

What sets the Netflix documentary apart from other series on the OTT platforms is the fact that it is based on real-life incidents and has no actors. The series includes interviews with many people who were close to Rajneesh and also has actual footage from the Oregon Ashram.

The focus of the Wild Wild Country is Ma Anand Sheela who was the personal secretary of Rajneesh. The story of how acres of waste ranch land was converted into a city named Rajneeshpuram in a small sleepy village called Antelope in Oregon, unravels through the words of an aged Ma Anand Sheela. Supporting her in the narrative are two other people who were close to Rajneesh. Actual footage from the Oregon Ashram is used to supplement the narrative.

The plot of Wild Wild Country on Netflix picks up from the arrival of Rajneesh and his followers in Oregon and how they upset the delicate social and cultural balance of the community. The millions of dollars they have at their disposal ensures that almost overnight a barren stretch of land is converted into a city with its own roads, houses, supermarket, and its own government and mayor.

The transformation of the place and the massive building activity is managed by Ma Anand Sheela who wields power autocratically on the behalf of Rajneesh, who himself has ostensibly taken a vow of silence. The commune with its liberal love behaviour and wanton ways invites the ire of the locals. Its attempts to take over the administration of the running of the County through questionable means grab the attention of the Government authorities and from then on it is a regular confrontation in progress.

Ma Anand Sheela and a group secretly leave the Ashram and Rajneesh accuses her of many crimes. The authorities including the FBI, raid the Ashram, and Rajneesh with a few trusted followers flees. However, he is apprehended and deported. He lands up in Pune and continues his activities in the Ashram till 1990 when he dies. Just like his life his death too is shrouded in controversy, with allegations and counter-allegations.

Osho, Never Born, Never Died. Only visited this Planet Earth between Dec 11, 1931, to Jan 19, 1990

Osho’s Epitaph

The Wild Wild Country Netflix documentary itself is not without controversy. Some believe that it glosses over many of the incidents at the Oregon Ashram. It also skirts some of the key issues including the controversial death of Rajneesh, who on his return to Pune had become Osho to his followers.

Trailor of Wild Wild Country

Statutory Warning: The documentary contains some scenes of nudity and explicit sex and may not be suitable for family audiences.

Have you watched Wild Wild Country Netflix documentary? How did you find it? Do let us know through our comments section.

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