Jitank Singh Gurjar’s powerful debut feature, Vimukt (In Search of the Sky) has been honored with the NETPAC Award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025. The award, presented by the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC), recognizes outstanding feature films from Asia and the Pacific, spotlighting fresh voices and bold visions in filmmaking.
Starring Nikhil Yadav, Meghan Agrawal, and Raghavendra Bhadoriya in pivotal roles, the film tells the story of a 26-year-old mentally unstable son of an underprivileged couple who starts feeling burdened. Together, they travel to the Maha Kumbh in order to find peace. The story was conceived by Pooja Vishal Sharma, who went on to self-fund the film alongside co-producers Madhhu Shharma (Summit Studios), Arpan Raut, Akarshi Jaiswal, and Navin Shetty. It features cinematography by Shelly Sharma who also serves as executive producer on the film alongside Tushar Tyagi, with editing by Pavan Therukar, and original score by Manish Kumar.
Speaking on the honor, 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 and to my writer and producer Pooja for believing in me. Also, my cinematographer Shelly Sharma who contributed significantly in bringing this film to life alongside Pooja and I.”
Speaking about her debut production, Producer Pooja Vishal Sharma said, “We are overjoyed with the news from TIFF. This award reaffirms my belief of backing stories that are raw, real, and transformative. Vimukt was a labor of love, and it is incredibly rewarding to see it connect with the world at such a prestigious platform.”
Co-producer Madhhu Shharma added, “We set out to create a film that would stay with people long after the credits rolled. To receive the NETPAC Award is an acknowledgment of the team’s dedication and more importantly Jitanks 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 this film but this win is a big validation on the idea as to why people should not let resources or budgets stop them from telling the stories they wish to tell, this is a sign for you to go ahead and make that film - if you stay honest to your craft, everything else will follow.”