MUMBAI: Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain, the social thriller scripted around the Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984, has opened to rave reviews in American theatres. Directed by Ravi Kumar and produced by Sahara Movie Studios and Rising Star Entertainment, the film has found an emotional resonance with audiences and critics alike.

Martin Tsai of the Los Angeles Times calls the film "a revolutionary cautionary tale" applauding how "Kumar vividly recreates the Bhopal disaster."

Gurinder Chadha, director of much-loved films like Bend It Like Beckham, calls Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain "outstanding, a must see film!" Kerry Kennedy, niece of former US President John F Kennedy, tweeted: "Saw Bhopal starring Martin Sheen tonight... powerful film must see for all interested in business and human rights." Naomi Canton of Asia House called the movie "better than Slumdog Millionaire and 12 Years A Slave" while Liza Forman of Financial Times London wrote that Bhopal is "a story that needed to be told."

Sheen, who plays Union Carbide CEO Warren Anderson in the film says: "When I was invited to participate in the film about the Bhopal incident I felt compelled to accept.  And the response to the film here reinforces the faith I had in the subject. It has been 30 years since the tragedy but it is as relevant as ever."

Reacting to the overwhelming response to the film in the US, Sahara Movie Studios producer Seemanto Roy said: "We are very happy with the way the film has been received in America and now hope that Indian audiences take to the film and the youth becomes aware of the mistakes that were made in the past."

Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain, produced by Sahara Movie Studios and Rising Star Entertainment will release in India on 5 December 2014.