ADVERTISEMENTs
Village struggles and youthful dreams: Indian films triumph at Toronto International Film Festival
Indian cinema had a strong presence across the festival this year, with screenings of Hansal Mehta’s series Gandhi, Anurag Kashyap’s Monkey In A Cage, and Bikas Mishra’s Bayaan.
-
1758316301.png)
Suresh Nellikode - Fri, 19, Sep 2025
- 12:37 EDT
- 27
Tushar Tyagi (Exec. Producer), Jitak Singh Gurjar (Director), Shelly Sharma (DOP) & Nikhil Yadav (Actor) - Vimukt / Courtesy-Suresh Nellikode
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF 2025), marking its glittering golden jubilee this year, concluded on a high note with Indian cinema making a resounding impact on the world stage. Two Indian films stood tall among the global entries, earning accolades that underscored the strength and diversity of stories emerging from the country.
Jitank Singh Gurjar’s Vimukt (In Search of the Sky) was awarded Best Film from Asia and the Pacific, while Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound won third place in the prestigious International People’s Choice Awards, sharing the spotlight with global heavyweights.
Vimukt: Portrait of Resilience in Rural India
Directed by rising filmmaker Jitank Singh Gurjar, Vimukt (In Search of the Sky) paints an intimate and unflinching portrait of life in a Central Indian village plagued by poverty and superstition.
Jitank Singh Gurjar - Director, Vimukt / Courtesy Suresh NellikodeAt its heart lies the story of Jasrath and Vidya, an elderly couple struggling for survival—he, labouring in a brick kiln, and she, selling dried cow dung patties for fuel. Their world grows heavier with the stigma surrounding their mentally challenged son, Naran, whose existence brings both love and social shame.
The performances have won wide praise: Nikhil Yadav’s haunting turn as Naran leaves a lasting impression, while Raghvendra Bhadoria and Meghna Agarwal embody the weary dignity of Jasrath and Vidya. Co-written by Pooja Vishal Sharma and Gurjar and beautifully captured by cinematographer Shelly Sharma, the 87-minute independent feature carries the stamp of raw authenticity. With Pavan Theurkar’s editing, Tushar Tyagi’s executive production, and Pooja Vishal Sharma’s stewardship as producer, the film has become a milestone achievement.
For Gurjar, a Gwalior-based theater artist making only his second film, this recognition at one of the world’s largest festivals marks a promising leap toward a wider cinematic journey.
Homebound: Friendship, Faith, and the Uniform Dream
The TIFF People’s Choice Award is among the festival’s most coveted honors. While Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice (Korea) and Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value (Denmark/Norway) took the top two spots, Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound secured a proud third place, further affirming India’s creative presence on the international stage.
A Scene from Homebound / Courtesy TIFF 25
Set in a small North Indian village, Homebound follows Chandan (Vishal Jethwa) and Shoaib (Ishan Khattar)—two friends bound by a dream to join the police force. Yet their journey collides with the obstacles of financial hardship, religious divides, and political unrest, making their pursuit of the uniform a larger reflection of contemporary India.
The film has drawn attention not only for its compelling narrative but also for the presence of Martin Scorsese as executive producer—an endorsement of its global resonance. With striking cinematography by Pratik Shah, evocative music by Naren Chandavarkar and Benedict Taylor, and sharp editing by Nitin Baid, the film is expected to garner more recognition in months to come. Janhvi Kapoor adds depth to the ensemble, while Ghaywan, best known for his Cannes-winning Masaan (2015), cements his reputation as one of India’s boldest storytellers.
Beyond the Awards
Indian cinema had a strong presence across the festival this year, with screenings of Hansal Mehta’s series Gandhi, Anurag Kashyap’s Monkey In A Cage, and Bikas Mishra’s Bayaan. The TIFF Classics section celebrated the 50th anniversary of Sholay alongside Satyajit Ray’s timeless Aranyer Din Ratri (Days and Nights in the Forest).
Much of South Asian cinema’s enduring visibility at global festivals owes credit to Meenakshi Shedde, veteran writer, filmmaker, and senior TIFF program advisor, who has championed regional voices for over four decades.
TIFF 2025 in Numbers
The jubilee edition featured over 1,200 screenings of 280 films from 79 countries, with 110 red-carpet premieres adding glamour to the 11-day celebration. Known worldwide as the “festival of festivals,” TIFF once again reaffirmed cinema’s universal power to tell stories that resonate across borders.
Related
.jfif)
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
ADVERTISEMENT
.jpg)
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login