South Asian films at TIFF including India’s ‘Oscar hopeful’

The Lunchbox, Director Ritesh Batra

This film has been described as India’s “Oscar hopeful.”

A misdelivered lunchbox brings together a neglected Mumbai housewife (Nimrat Kaur) and a grumpy, solitary widower on the verge of retirement (Irrfan Khan), in this funny and touching comedy-drama from first-time writer-director Ritesh Batra.

MANAKAMANA, Directors Stephanie Spray, Pacho Velez

This film is a must see from Festival- Wavelengths section.

The makers of last year’s Festival hit Leviathan served as producers on this astounding sensorial stunner that takes us on a state-of-the-art cable car up and down one of the vast, awe-inspiring Trisuli valleys in Nepal, where the world-famous Manakamana Temple attracts pilgrims and tourists from around the world.

Qissa, Director Anup Singh

Irrfan Khan stars in this sweeping drama, set amidst the ethnic cleansing and general chaos that accompanied India’s partition in 1947, as a Sikh attempting to forge a new life for his family while keeping their true identities a secret from their community.

A Random Desi Romance, Director Maneesh Sharma

From the writer of Chak De! India and the director of Band Baaja Baaraat comes a modern desi love story.

Siddharth, Director Richie Mehta

Director Richie Mehta follows his award-winning debut feature Amal with this powerful and heart-rending tale about a poor Delhi street merchant desperately searching for his missing young son.

Faith Connections, Director Pan Nalin

A spectacular exploration of varied paths of devotion that converge at one of the world’s most extraordinary religious events—the Kumbh Mela—Pan Nalin’s thoughtful documentary is a genuinely spiritual journey.