Producer Sunitha Tati, director Philip John’s Arrangements Of Love picked for TIFF's International Financing Forum

Telugu film producer Sunitha Tati’s next film, the English-language international project Arrangements Of Love, which will be directed by Philip John, has been selected for the International Financing Forum (IFF) by ‘Ontario Creates’ at the upcoming 46th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Arrangements of Love is the only Asian film out of 41 global works picked for the forum which will be held virtually from 13-14 September. The feature is an adaptation of acclaimed novelist Timeri N Murari’s bestselling novel The Arrangements of Love.

The story, co-written by John and actress-writer Nimmi Harasgama, who had starred in Deepa Mehta's Funny Boy (2020), is about a Welsh-Indian man out to reconnect with his estranged father with an out-of-the-blue visit to India. It will follow “the tranquillity of love and the journey of an unencumbered man in search for the warmth of family”.

The film will be shot in India and Wales.

Tati, the founder of Guru Films, has produced the Samantha Akkineni film Oh! Baby (2019) and has the upcoming Shakini Dhakini, starring Regina Cassandra and Nivetha Thomas, in the pipeline.

In a statement, she said, “Having travelled with this book for over 15 years and seeing this dream project come to life has been a remarkable journey. It has been an enriching experience to kick off this journey with the expressive and all-knowing Timeri, the writer of the book. As we went along, working with the multitalented director and writer Phil and perceptive writer Nimmi who have added so much to the project for it to take the next leap in storytelling.”

Telugu star Rana Daggubati said of the Indian international production, “It’s new-age global cinema at its best from us. With top-notch technicians, two-time BAFTA [nominee] writer and director Phil John, this project looks promising! Congratulations to the whole team for this step that puts the South Indian film industry on the global map.”

John, known for directing award-winning shows like Outlander and Downton Abbey, added that he was excited for the upcoming co-production between India and Wales.

He said, “Both Nimmi and I are thrilled that our project, into which we have poured the most vital of our internal organs, has been chosen to attend this distinguished TIFF forum. My very first short film was a father-son story, and I am beyond excited that my second feature-length movie will return to this arena.”

Author Murari said of his work, “The Arrangements of Love is an intricate and subtle exploration of love; it tells of the characters all looking for something – and hidden under their stories is the search for love, in its many guises. Love, after all, is the raft we all cling to in this very lonely sea in which we exist. Without it, everything else is meaningless.”