Three Indian films to premiere at Toronto festival

Three Indian films, including Anurag Kashyap's Mukkabaaz (The Brawler) and Hansal Mehta's Omerta, will represent the country at the 42nd edition of the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival where works from the US, Britain, France, Germany and Spain will also be shown from September 7-17.

Mukkabaaz (The Brawler) and The Hungry by Bornila Chatterjee will both have their World Premieres as part of the Special Presentations 2017 category of the festival. Anurag Kashyap confirmed the news via Facebook, saying, "And Team 'Mukkabaaz' is going to TIFF 2017." 

National Award winning filmmaker Mehta's Omerta, starring Rajkummar Rao (also a National Award winner), will have its World Premiere in the Special Presentations Opening Film category.

In a statement, Mehta said, "Omerta is my most provocative film so far. It is a chilling political thriller - a reminder of the volatile times we live in. I'm delighted for the entire team that has patiently and diligently worked on this very difficult film." Excited about the world premiere at TIFF, Rajkummar said, "I'm extremely happy that it's been selected for TIFF. After Shahid, it's my second film to be selected for this prestigious film festival. Omerta has a very universal connect. It talks about issues that everyone in the world can relate to, especially in the times that we are living in, and I think it's our (Mehta and his) most explosive film together till date."

Producer Shailesh Singh, who has teamed up with Mehta and Rajkummar again after Shahid and Aligarh, said, "It is a wonderful feeling." The film's other producer, Nahid Khan, is making her debut at TIFF with Omerta.

Also, as part of the Special Presentations Closing Film, Victoria and Abdul by Stephen Frears will have its North American Premiere. It is Indian actor Ali Fazal's debut as the lead in Hollywood.