Cinema VinesOn July 21, 2026, Amazon Prime Video revealed that its original feature film "Phoolan" has earned a spot in the Special Presentation section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The festival, which runs from September 10 to 20 in Toronto, will showcase the film on September 16 at 6 p.m. Eastern Time, with the screening taking place at the Princess of Wales Theatre.
The biographical drama draws inspiration from Phoolan Devi’s memoir, "I, Phoolan – The Autobiography of India’s Bandit Queen," and follows the harrowing ordeal of a 17‑year‑old girl who becomes the target of a 2,000‑man armed siege. The story captures a brutal 48‑hour standoff that challenges conventional action‑movie tropes, offering a gritty look at a pivotal moment in Indian outlaw history.
Directed and written by the celebrated filmmaker Richie Mehta, the film is produced by Shareen Mantri Kedia, Kishor Arora, Kanwal Kohli, and Mehta himself. Sneha Kumari stars as Phoolan, supported by a strong ensemble that includes Anurag Thakur, Vikram Pratap Singh, Aakash Dahiya, Prateek Pachori, and Dev Dutt Budholiya. Each actor delivers a compelling performance that underscores the film’s tense narrative.
The selection of "Phoolan" for TIFF’s Special Presentation highlights the festival’s commitment to international cinema and its role as a platform for diverse storytelling. The film’s inclusion is expected to draw attention to both the historical figure it portrays and the contemporary relevance of her story.
With the screening set for September 16, audiences in Toronto and beyond can look forward to experiencing a powerful retelling of a legendary Indian outlaw’s life, brought to the screen by Prime Video’s cinematic team.
