‘When you tell people the story, it’s almost too good to be true’: the incredible journey behind The Cycle of Love

by | Sep 17, 2026 | Entertainment

‘When you tell people the story, it’s almost too good to be true’: the incredible journey behind The Cycle of Love

Netflix has released a documentary titled The Cycle of Love, which tells the true story of an Indian street artist named Pradyumna Kumar Mahanandia, known as PK, and his journey to find love across thousands of miles. The narrative begins in New Delhi in December 1975, when PK sketched a Swedish traveler named Lotta von Schedvin and experienced an immediate romantic connection. After Lotta returned to Sweden, PK embarked on an audacious quest to reach her, purchasing a secondhand bicycle with minimal funds and cycling through multiple countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey before eventually reaching Europe.

The documentary was directed by filmmaker Orlando von Einsiedel, who initially dismissed the project when approached by PK and Lotta’s adult children Emilie and Karl. However, after reading a book about their parents’ story during a flight, Von Einsiedel reconsidered and decided to develop the film. The project presented significant creative challenges, as Von Einsiedel chose to film key scenes without a traditional script, instead relying on improvisation and genuine interactions between actors and ordinary people encountered during the recreation of PK’s journey.

The film features British-Indian actor Chirag Lobo playing PK and Mina Dale as Lotta, alongside numerous non-professional performers cast through street casting. One striking element of the story involves astrological predictions made when PK was born regarding his future wife—predictions that remarkably aligned with Lotta’s actual characteristics. Von Einsiedel emphasized that the documentary extends beyond romance, highlighting themes of human kindness and connection. The film premiered in the United States, where PK and Lotta, now married for nearly 50 years, have received significant audience recognition and emotional responses at screenings.

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