TIFF 2022: Rima Das’s Assamese film Tora’s Husband to be premiered in Platform section

National award-winning filmmaker Rima Das's latest, Tora's Husband, is due to have its world premiere at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this month.

The Assamese film will compete with nine other features in the Platform section that celebrates exciting and distinct voices emerging in cinema today. It is the first Indian feature to be showcased in this category.

Starring Abhijit Das and Tarali Kalita Das, the drama will look at the struggles of a man trying  "to keep his small-town business afloat while his relationships deteriorate amidst personal loss and lockdowns during the pandemic".

Das's previous features, Village Rockstar (2018) and Bulbul Can Sing (2019), also made their world premiere at the Canadian festival. Like her previous films, the writer-director-producer made Tora's Husband independently, with a small crew.

Sharing her journey about the making of the film, Das said, “The story of my protagonist reflects my personal journey living and working amidst the pandemic. In the midst of loss, lockdowns and life, we shot the film for over two years in real locations and natural conditions. Shooting this film was more challenging than shooting my previous films because the pandemic restricts you in many ways. There was this constant feeling of fear and restlessness, which my characters also depict. But I knew I just had to shoot this film, as this time will become history one day.”

Rima also paid tribute to her father, Bharat Chandra Das in the film whom she lost during the pandemic. “I lost my father during the early days of shooting the film. I dedicate this film to my father and all those who have lost their loved ones during the pandemic," Rima shared.

This is the second Indian feature to screen at the festival. Shubham Yogi’s Kacchey Limbu, starring Radhika Madan and Rajat Barmecha, is also making its world premiere this month.

Frances O’Connor’s directorial debut Emily will open the section. The festival will take place from 8-18 September.