Eminent Indian actress Konkona Sen Sharma, who is best known for her powerhouse performance in the reel, is all set to appear under the garb of a filmmaker at Toronto International Film Festival 2016 in September. Her directorial debut, A Death in the Gunj, will premiere in a special section of Toronto Film Festival, a 10-day extravaganza from September 8 to 18.
Konkona’s first directorial feature film, A Death in the Gunj, is an intriguing story of five individuals on a family vacation. It traces the journey of their interpersonal relationships which fall apart in the event of a sudden death after some moments of harmony and joy. The trailer which has already stirred curiosity about the film in India and abroad gives the impression that the narrative is a distinct departure from usual storytelling techniques.
Konkona Sen Sharma won the ‘Best Actress’ title for her titular role in Kadambari, a biopic on Rabindranath Tagore’s relationship with his sister-in-law, at the Washington DC South Asian Film Festival 2015.
The upcoming premiere of A Death in the Gunj at TIFF 2016 is a most awaited event for the Indians in Toronto because of its impressive cast that includes Tilottama Shome, Kalki Koechlin, Ranvir Shorey, Tanuja, Jim Sarbh and Vikrant Massey. The film seems to be a standout watch also for Jim Sarbh who earned kudos from film critics for playing a merciless terrorist in Neerja.
The script of Konkona’s A Death in the Gunj was developed at the National Film Development Corporation of India’s (NFDC) Script Lab in 2014. It was selected out of 80 entries. However, the National Award-winning actress was initiated into filmmaking with a short film Naamkoron (Naming Ceremony).
Toronto International Film Festival 2016 will also screen Lion starring Dev Patel, Nawazuddin Sddique, Tannishtha Chatterjee and Nicole Kidman. Directed by Garth Davis, the film is adapted from a non-fiction book titled ‘A Long Way Home.’ Lion depicts the story of a young man who finds his long-lost parents and reunites with them using Google Earth.
Indian American filmmaker Mira Nair’s Queen of Katwe, a biopic on Ugandan chess champion Phiona Mutesi, is another attraction of TIFF 2016.
Konkona is back to Toronto Film Festival where Meghna Gulzar’s Talvar starring her in a lead role premiered in 2015 and not only unnerved the audience but also earned rave reviews from critics for its documentary-style narrative, intriguing story and overwhelming climax.
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