India @ Toronto – A Distinct Strand  

By Pickle  September 1, 2025

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Stalwarts and pathbreakers whose unique cinematic sensibilities resonated at TIFF and represented the diversity and depth of non-mainstream Indian cinema

Satyajit Ray (4 films): Shatranj Ke Khilari (1978), the first-ever Indian film at TIFF; Kanchenjunga (1987), screened as part of section called “Buried Treasures”; Charulata (1998), part of Dialogues: Talking with Pictures; Aranyer Din Ratri (TIFF Classics 2025)

Mrinal Sen (3 films): Akaler Sandhane (1981); Cannes Jury Prize winner Kharij (1983); Khandhar (1984)

Murali Nair (3 films): Tragedy of an Indian Farmer (short film); Cannes Camera d’Or winner Marana Simhasanam (Throne of Death, Malayalam, 1999); Pattiyude Divasam (A Dog’s Day, Malayalam, 2001)

Aribam Syam Sharma (2 films): Imagi Ningthem (My Son, My Precious, Manipuri, 1983); Ishanou (The Chosen One, Manipuri, 1991)

Ketan Mehta (2 films): Mirch Masala (1987); Maya Memsaab (1993)

Rituparno Ghosh (2 films): Chokher Bali (Bengali, 2003); The Last Lear (English, 2007)

Sudhir Mishra: Dharavi (1994)

G. Aravindan: Marattam (Masquerade, Malayalam, 1994)

K.P. Sasi: Ilayum Mullum (Leaves and Thorns, Malayalam, 1994)

M.T. Vasudevan Nair: Kadavu (The Ferry, Malayalam, 1994)

Nabyendu Chatterjee: Shilpi (The Dreamer, Bengali, 1994)

Raja Mitra: Ekti Jiban (Portrait of a Life, Bengali, 1994)

Jahnu Barua: Hkhagoroloi Bohu Door (It’s a Long Way to the Sea, Assamese, 1995)

Amol Palekar: Daayra (The Square Circle, 1996)

Kumar Shahani: Bhavantarana (1994), documentary on Odissi dance maestro Kelucharan Mohapatra

Girish Kasaravalli: Kurmavatara (The Tortoise, An Incarnation, Kannada, 2012)

Ritwik Ghatak: Meghe Dhaka Tara (The Cloud-Capped Star, Bengali, 2012) – TIFF Cinematheque

Anup Singh: Qissa – The Tale of a Lonely Ghost (Punjabi, 2013)

Ritesh Batra: The Lunchbox (2013)