With the arrival of autumn winds signaling the end of summer, Toronto is gearing up for its most awaited event of the year—the 49th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The 2024 edition of TIFF will begin on September 5, and the city is already abuzz with excitement. Over the next 11 days, filmmakers, media professionals, and cinephiles from around the globe will converge on Toronto. The festival, known as the “Festival of Festivals,” will feature screenings in 25 venues, showcasing 236 feature films and 24 short films from 84 countries. The prominence of TIFF as a gateway to the Oscars is well-established, as many films screened here often go on to receive nominations at the Academy Awards. In addition to film screenings, the festival will host interviews with renowned directors, actors, and technicians, as well as film markets to strengthen production and distribution networks.
Notably, this year’s festival has a distinct lack of South Indian films. However, seven Indian films will be showcased, four of which are directed by women, highlighting the growing prominence of female filmmakers in the industry. The films include All We Imagine As Light by Payal Kapadia, Super Boys of Malegaon by Reema Kagti, Boong by Lakshmipriya Devi, Santosh by Sandhya Suri, Shook by Amar Wala, Srinivas Krishna’s 1991 Canadian classic Masala, and Raj Kapoor’s 1951 masterpiece Awara (TIFF Classic).
Payal Kapadia’s previous film, A Night of Knowing Nothing, was awarded Best Documentary at TIFF 2021. Her new film, All We Imagine As Light, is set against the backdrop of bustling city life, focusing on the story of two Malayali nurses in Mumbai, with Ratnagiri in Maharashtra also serving as a significant setting. The film portrays the challenges they face in their personal lives while also dealing with societal issues rooted in patriarchal dominance. Although the story is set in Mumbai, the film features predominantly Malayalam dialogue, with a cast of Malayali actors including Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Aziz Nedumangad, and Hridu Haroon. The film’s cinematography is handled by Ranabir Das, Kapadia’s life partner, and it is a French-Dutch co-production.
Reema Kagti’s Superboys of Malegaon captures the fulfillment of the adage, “With strong friendships, the whole world stands with us.” The film tells the story of Nasir Sheikh, a young man from Malegaon, Maharashtra, who, despite numerous obstacles, achieves his dream of becoming a filmmaker. The film’s screenplay is co-written by Kagti and Varun Grover, and features Adarsh Gourav, Shashank Arora and Vineet Kumar in key roles. Kagti, originally from Assam, has previously worked as an assistant director to Mira Nair, Farhan Akhtar, and Ashutosh Gowariker. The film is produced under the Tiger Baby Films banner, in collaboration with Zoya Akhtar.
Boong is the debut feature by Manipuri filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi. The film narrates the story of a boy named Boong who crosses borders in search of his father. Set against the backdrop of the socio-political challenges of Northeast India, the film highlights historical issues faced by the region. Boong, along with his Rajasthani friend Raju, undertakes a journey to reunite with his father, Joy Kumar, believed to be dead. The film’s key roles are played by Bala Hijam, Gugun Kipgen, and Angom Sanamatum.
British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri’s Hindi film Santosh is another significant Indian entry at TIFF. The film portrays the journey of Santosh, a woman breaking into the male-dominated world of law enforcement, and highlights her successes. Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar play pivotal roles as two police officers challenging existing corruption. Suri, a graduate of the National Film and Television School in England, is no stranger to TIFF audiences, having won Best Short Film in 2018 for The Field.
Amar Wala’s Shook, a story about the emotional struggles of a young writer in Toronto, who is dealing with his father’s Parkinson’s disease while trying to sell his first novel, is also set to make waves at the festival. Born in Mumbai and now a resident of Toronto, this is Wala’s first feature film, which he co-produced with Karen Harnisch under the Scarborough Pictures banner. The film stars Saamer Usmani and Ami Forsyth in lead roles. Wala has previously won awards for his documentary The Secret Trial.
Srinivas Krishna’s 1991 film Masala, considered a Canadian classic, is also being screened at TIFF this year. A landmark film that depicted the cultural diversity of South Asian communities in Canada, Masala was a Bollywood-style fantasia featuring Krishna himself in the lead role. The narrative, inspired by the Air India bombing of 1985, portrays a protagonist grappling with loss and despair, bringing together a rich ensemble cast, including Saeed Jaffrey, Sakina Jaffrey, and Zohra Sehgal.
In honor of the centenary of Raj Kapoor, TIFF will also feature a special screening of his 1951 classic Awara, which earned international acclaim and won the Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1953. The film has been restored in 4K, allowing new generations to appreciate the artistry of this legendary Indian filmmaker.
Last year, TIFF attracted nearly half a million attendees, making it not only a showcase of films but also a venue for various educational and film-related activities. From September 5 to 15, the heart of Toronto will once again be alive with the celebration of cinema, bringing the world together through the universal language of film.
Suresh Nellikode is a film critic
