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This year’s prominence of Indian cinema at TIFF is remarkable, with the highest number of Indian films since 2012 when a special City to City section focused on Mumbai led to the inclusion of ten Indian films
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In recent years, the number of Indian films at TIFF has varied, with five films the previous year, three in 2021, and just one in the COVID-affected 2020 edition.
The 48th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is gearing up to showcase an exciting array of Indian cinema, with the premiere of six Indian films, a significant moment for the Indian film industry. Meenakshi Shedde, serving as TIFF’s Senior Programme Advisor for South Asia, expressed her delight at the diverse selection, spanning mainstream, regional, slasher, and documentary genres.
This year’s prominence of Indian cinema at TIFF is remarkable, with the highest number of Indian films since 2012 when a special City to City section focused on Mumbai led to the inclusion of ten Indian films. In recent years, the number of Indian films at TIFF has varied, with five films the previous year, three in 2021, and just one in the COVID-affected 2020 edition.
The six films making their debut at TIFF are as follows:
‘Thank You For Coming directed by Karan Boolani.
‘Laapataa Ladies’ (or ‘Lost Ladies’) by Kiran Rao, her sophomore effort.
‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (or ‘The World is Family’), a thought-provoking documentary by Anand Patwardhan.
‘Sthalor A Match’ a Marathi film by Jayant Digambar Somalkar.
‘Kill’ a genre film produced by industry stalwarts Karan Johar and Guneet Monga Kapoor, directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat.
‘This is TMI’ a short animation by Subarna Dash and Vidushi Gupta, offering a unique cinematic experience.
It’s worth noting that the lineup could have been even more extensive if not for the withdrawal of director Honey Trehan’s “Punjab ’95,” a film based on the fearless human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra’s tireless efforts to expose police encounters in Punjab during the tumultuous 1990s.
This year’s lineup promises to be a vibrant celebration of India’s cinematic diversity and storytelling prowess on the grand stage of the Toronto International Film Festival, captivating audiences and critics alike
In addition to these Indian films, there are other noteworthy contributions from the Indian and South Asian film community at TIFF:
‘I Am Sirat’ by veteran Indo-Canadian director Deepa Mehta, a documentary set entirely in India that explores its rich cultural tapestry.
‘Dear Jassi’ by Tarsem Singh Dhandwar, a cross-cultural perspective film shot in both India and Canada.
‘Slow Shift’ an Indo-US short film by Shambhavi Kaul that captures the enchanting landscapes of India.
‘Yellow Bus’ a United Arab Emirates production featuring acclaimed actors Tannishtha Chatterjee and Amit Sial, rooted in a real-life incident involving the Indian diaspora.
This year, due to ongoing industry strikes, TIFF’s red carpets will see a limited Hollywood presence, potentially providing Indian actors and filmmakers with a global stage to shine. However, Shedde emphasizes that each film was selected based on its merits, with no intention to replace Hollywood productions. Nevertheless, the relatively reduced Hollywood star presence due to the SAG-AFTRA strike could offer international stars a chance to garner more attention and acclaim.
The increased presence of Indian films at TIFF underscores the festival’s commitment to showcasing diverse and compelling cinema from around the world. CEO Cameron Bailey, chief programming officer Anita Lee, and director of programming and platform lead Robyn Citizen have played pivotal roles in curating this impressive lineup.
As TIFF 2023 approaches, running from September 7 to September 17, Meenakshi Shedde reflects on the vibrant state of Indian cinema despite the challenges it has faced. This year’s lineup promises to be a vibrant celebration of India’s cinematic diversity and storytelling prowess on the grand stage of the Toronto International Film Festival, captivating audiences and critics alike.