Cinema VinesIndian filmmaker Richie Mehta’s biopic “Phoolan” will debut at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 16, screening in the Special Presentations section at the Princess of Wales Theatre. The Hindi‑language film, produced under the banner of Namah Pictures, is based on the 1997 book I, Phoolan – The Autobiography of India’s Bandit Queen and follows the life of Phoolan Devi, the infamous Chambal dacoit who later became a Member of Parliament.
Mehta, who wrote and directed the film, is joined by producers Shareen Mantri Kedia, Kishor Arora, Kanwal Kohli and himself. The story centers on a brutal 48‑hour siege in which more than 2,000 armed men surrounded a village in an attempt to kill a 17‑year‑old Phoolan, who would go on to become one of India’s most notorious outlaws. Sneha Kumari portrays the title character, while Anurag Thakur, Vikram Pratap Singh, Aakash Dahiya, Prateek Pachori and Dev Dutt Budholiya play pivotal roles.
After its festival run, “Phoolan” will be released on Prime Video as a Prime Original, although a specific release date has not yet been announced. The film follows in the footsteps of the 1994 feature “Bandit Queen,” directed by Shekhar Kapur and starring Seema Biswas, which won three National Film Awards but sparked controversy when Phoolan herself threatened self‑immolation over its release.
TIFF, which runs from September 10 to 20, is one of the world’s leading film festivals and provides a major platform for international cinema. “Phoolan” promises to offer a new look at the life of India’s Bandit Queen, highlighting her transition from outlaw to parliamentarian and the violence that shaped her early years.
