No masala, but reality films from India at Toronto fest

No masala, but reality films from India at Toronto fest
Thursday, September 09, 2010 12:06 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
In a break with the past, the 35th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which kicks off here Thursday, will feature no masala film from big Bollywood banners this year.

All four Indian entries - "Dhobi Ghat" by Kiran Rao, "That Girl With Yellow Boots" by Anurag Kashyap, "Harud" (Autumn) by Aamir Bashir and "Soul of Sand" by Sidharth Srinivasan - here this year are independent productions, with no Bollywood masala.

"We have been having those big, masala Bollywood films, and I love them too. But I have been looking at more independent films (from India) that our audiences will respond to. And this year, we found four independent films that will let people know what is happening right now in Mumbai and India," festival co-director Cameron Bailey told IANS before the kick-off.

More than 300 films from over 60 countries will be screened during the world's premier film festival which runs till Sep 19. In a major milestone in its history, the film festival is also moving its own gigantic headquarters - TIFF Bell Lightbox - bang in the heart of downtown Toronto.

While Kiran Rao's "Dhobi Ghat", with husband Aamir Khan in the lead role, is already being touted as one of the best independent films to come out of Bollywood in recent times, Anurag Kashyap's "That Girl in Yellow Boots" has been described here as another hard-hitting take on reality in India.

"`That Girl in Yellow Boots' is not a musical, not a song-and-dance film at all. It is a very hard-hitting drama about a girl searching for her father in Mumbai. It is a tough film to watch sometimes because this girl goes through some very difficult things as she goes through the city searching for her father. Some very difficult things happen to her."

"What Kashyap is trying to do is to punch her through that veneer of sunshine and happiness and give us something real. This film feels like a real picture of the tougher, harder side of life in Mumbai today," Bailey added.

The two other Indian films debuting here, he said, are also independent productions, depicting the real life in India today.

"Both 'Harud' (Autumn) by Aamir Bashir - an amazing story set in Kashmir - and Sidharth Srinivasan's 'Soul of Sand' are fascinating independent films trying to capture what is happening in India today," said Bailey.

Apart from these four Indian films, the festival also features two India-themed productions - "Pink Saris" by Kim Longinotto and "The Sound of Mumbai" by Sara McCarthy from Britain.

While "Pink Saris" revolves around Sampat Pal Devi, a tough woman who leads the so-called `Pink Gang' to fight against oppression of women in rural Uttar Pradesh, "The Sound of Mumbai" is about the city's under-privileged kids.
Death Threats to Shah Rukh Khan: Lawyer Arrested in Chhattisgarh for Extortion Attempt!

In a shocking turn of events, a man identified as Mohammad Faizan Khan has been arrested for issuing death threats to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. The accused, a lawyer by

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Bigg Boss 18: Vivian Dsena and Chahat Panday's Coffee Banter Steals the Show; Frenemies Turn Friendly Over French Coffee!

In the latest promo of Bigg Boss 18, contestants Vivian Dsena and Chahat Panday, known for their heated arguments and on-screen rivalry, showcased a lighter side of their relationship

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Varun Dhawan Praises Pooja Hegde's Stunning Look; Sparks Excitement for Upcoming Film!

Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan recently showered praise on actress Pooja Hegde, who made heads turn with her stylish and edgy outfit in her latest Instagram photoshoot. Pooja shared a

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Half Love Half Arranged S2 Trailer Unveiled!

Get ready for an exciting and drama-filled journey as Amazon MX Player, Amazon's free video streaming service, and Dice Media's much-loved rom-com series Half Love Half

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Model Sifat Sehgal opens up about her battle with Anorexia!

In a candid and courageous revelation, model and reality TV star Sifat Sehgal has opened up about her harrowing journey with anorexia and her recovery, offering an unfiltered

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT