Jitank Singh Gurjar’s debut feature In Search Of The Sky will have its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025, scheduled from 4 to 14 September. The film is the only Indian entry in the festival’s Centrepiece programme, a section celebrating diverse contemporary cinema from around the world.
Set in rural India, the Braj-language drama follows the journey of a mentally unstable young man and his elderly parents as they travel to the Maha Kumbh, a once-in-144-years religious gathering. Shot earlier this year in Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh and in villages of Madhya Pradesh, the film explores themes of poverty, stigma, faith, and emotional resilience.
Local theatre actors Nikhil Yadav, Raghvendra Bhadoriya, and Meghna Agarwal lead the cast. The project is produced by Canvas Creations in association with Summit Studios and Rihla Films.
The creative team includes writer-producer Pooja Vishal Sharma, director-screenwriter Jitank Singh Gurjar, and cinematographer Shelly Sharma, who also served as creative director and executive producer. Music is by Manish Kumar, and editing is by Pavan Theurkar.
Speaking about the selection, Gurjar described the film as “deeply rooted in rural sentiments” and called the TIFF premiere “a big push in the right direction.” Sharma noted that the story was inspired by her experiences in rural India and by meeting families who had abandoned mentally challenged children due to extreme poverty.
For the filmmakers, the selection marks a milestone for independent Indian cinema, placing their grassroots-made project alongside major global productions.
