The debut feature Vimukt (In Search of the Sky), directed by Jitank Singh Gurjar, has been honoured with the prestigious NETPAC Award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Presented by the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC), the award recognises outstanding feature films from Asia and the Pacific, spotlighting fresh voices and bold visions in filmmaking.
The story was conceived by Pooja Vishal Sharma, who also self-funded the film alongside co-producers Madhhu Sharma (Summit Studios), Arpan Raut, Akarshi Jaiswal, and Navin Shetty.
Vimukt features cinematography by Shelly Sharma, who also serves as executive producer alongside Tushar Tyagi. The film is edited by Pavan Therukar, with an original score composed by Manish Kumar. The moving narrative is anchored by standout performances from Nikhil Yadav, Meghan Agrawal, and Raghavendra Bhadoriya.
Director Jitank Singh Gurjar said, “Winning the NETPAC Award at TIFF is not just a personal milestone, but a recognition of the countless unheard voices that inspired this film. I am humbled and grateful to the jury for believing in our story, to my writer and producer Pooja for trusting me, and to my cinematographer Shelly Sharma, who brought this vision to life alongside Pooja and me.”
Producer Pooja Vishal Sharma shared, “We are overjoyed with the news from TIFF. This award reaffirms my belief in backing stories that are raw, real, and transformative. Vimukt was a labour of love, and it is incredibly rewarding to see it resonate on such a prestigious platform.”
Co-producer Madhhu Sharma added, “We set out to create a film that would stay with people long after the credits rolled. Receiving the NETPAC Award is an acknowledgment of the team’s dedication and, more importantly, of Jitank’s craft as a filmmaker. We couldn’t be happier.”
Cinematographer and executive producer Shelly Sharma said, “We set out with a small team and limited resources to make this film. There were a hundred reasons why we couldn’t or shouldn’t have made it, but this win validates our belief that resources or budgets should never stop storytellers. If you stay honest to your craft, everything else will follow.”
With this win, Vimukt (In Search of the Sky) takes its place among the most exciting new works in Asian cinema today.
