Toronto International Film Festival, which is less than a month away, boasts of an incredible line-up of films from India. Let’s take a look at which Indian films have made it to the prestigious film festival, which runs between September 7 and 17 in Toronto.
Thank You For Coming
Fronted by Bhumi Pednekar, Thank You For Coming is a coming-of-age film that follows Kanika Kapoor, a woman who has her first orgasm at the age of 32, and her journey of finding the person responsible for this positive outcome. Co-produced by Ektaa Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor, the film also features Dolly Singh, Shehnaaz Gill, and Kusha Kapila in lead roles. This comedy-drama is set to make its world premiere at TIFF 2023.
Laapataa Ladies
Set in 2001 in rural India, Laapataa Ladies is a comedy-drama about two young brides entwined in a case of mistaken identities. It stars Pratibha Ranta and Nitanshi Goel in lead roles. Directed by Kiran Rao, the filmmaker behind the 2010 TIFF favorite Dhobi Ghat, Laapataa Ladies will be screened under Toronto International Film Festival’s centrepiece section, a showcase that curates contemporary films from around the world.
Kill
Helmed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat and produced by Karan Johar, Guneet Monga, Achin Jain, and Apoorva Mehta, Kill is a fast-paced action thriller starring Lakshya Lalwani, Tanya Maniktala, and Raghav Juyal in pivotal parts. The story primarily takes place on a train en route to New Delhi where a duo of commandos engages in a fierce confrontation against a marauding horde of bandits. The film is a part of the Midnight Madness showcase, a section that features a lineup of quirky and twisted films.
Dear Jassi
Presented in both Punjabi and English languages, Dear Jassi tells the true-life story of a young couple who fight against all the odds to be together. The film is directed by Tarseem Singh, an Indian-American filmmaker who has worked on several international films, music videos, and TV shows. Dear Jassi will premiere under TIFF's Platform section.
Sthal/A Match
Debut Marathi film by Jatant Digambar Somalkar is set to premiere at TIFF 2023. It has been chosen for Discovery Program, showcasing emerging filmmakers' works from around the world.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam/The World Is Family
Anand Patwardhan's documentary in TIFF’s lineup traces his parents' journey intertwined with India's independence. It will be premiering in the TIFF Documentary section.
Stay tuned to this space for more updates!
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.