IFFI 2021: Amazon Prime Video announces world premiere of Chhorii, masterclass with The Family Man creators

Amazon Prime Video has announced the world premiere of its upcoming horror film Chhorii (2021), directed by Vishal Furia, at the 52nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on 25 November.

The film is set to be released on the OTT platform on 26 November.

The move comes in recognition of the festival's initiative to invite streaming platforms this year.

Amazon Prime Video’s association with IFFI will include two masterclasses by the creators of the acclaimed web-series The Family Man and the film Sardar Udham (2021).

The streaming platform will also curate a showcase of Satyajit Ray films between 20 and 28 November, the duration of the festival, to commemorate the renowned filmmaker’s birth centenary year.

The films in the line-up are Pather Panchali (1955), Aparajito (1956), Jalsaghar(1958). Abhijaan (1962), Charulata (1964), Chiriakhana (1967), Seemabaddha (1971), Ashani Sanket (1973), Sonar Kella (1974), Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977) and Hirak Rajar Deshe (1980).

The festival will present the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement award to celebrated filmmakers Martin Scorsese and István Szabó.

Furia's Chhorii is the second major film to find its way to the festival. Another streaming giant, Netflix, has announced the screening of the upcoming Kartik Aaryan newsroom drama Dhamaka (2021) at the festival.

On 21 November, Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, creators of the Amazon Original web-series The Family Man, will join artistes Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Manoj Bajpayee on a virtual hourlong masterclass on storytelling through real incidents. This session will offer insights and conceptual frameworks that budding talent can use as reference points to develop their own shows.

On 23 November, Sardar Udham (2021) director Shoojit Sircar and producer Ronnie Lahiri will hold a masterclass on the secret to creating a cinematic success through their own journey of making the film.

Gaurav Gandhi, country head, Amazon Prime Video, said, "Over the past five years, at Amazon Prime Video, we have actively worked to take local stories from different corners of India to viewers across the country and the world. We are honoured to be a part of IFFI, an event that celebrates the diversity and rich cinematic heritage of India, and brings the entertainment community, content creators and talent together. We will continue to contribute to India's entertainment ecosystem by promoting local narratives rooted in Indian culture while delivering an immersive entertainment experience to viewers."

IFFI 2021 will be a hybrid festival with virtual and physical events being held between 20 and 28 November.