‘Phoolan’: Richie Mehta’s film gets standing ovation at TIFF world premiere
Richie Mehta’s biographical film 'Phoolan' received a standing ovation at the Toronto International Film Festival. The movie, based on the life of Phoolan Devi, aims to humanize the historical figure and highlight themes of resilience and dignity.
Why it matters
It highlights the global reach of Indian cinema and the continued interest in biographical storytelling regarding historical figures of social significance.
Richie Mehta’s biographical action-drama, Phoolan , received standing ovation at the Toronto International Film Festival 2026 after it was showcased at the iconic Princess of Wales Theatre as part of Special Presentation section on September 17, 2026.
Based on the life of Based on Phoolan Devi’s autobiography, I, Phoolan Devi: The Autobiography of India’s Bandit Queen (published by Editions Robert Laffont), the film tells the story of a defining chapter in her life, where thousands of men trap her in a village in an attempt to kill her.
The film stars Sneha Kumari as Phoolan Devi, alongside Anurag Thakur, Vikram Pratap Singh, Aakash Dahiya, Prateek Pachouri, and Dev Dutt Budholiya in pivotal roles.
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