Konkona's directorial debut to screen at Toronto Film Festival

Actress Konkana Sensharma’s directorial debut. “A Death in the Gunj”, will be screened in the special presentation section of the coveted Toronto Film Festival, which opens on September 8.

The film is a coming-of-age story, which traces the journey of five individuals who are on a holiday.

It has an ensemble cast including Om Puri, Kalki Koechlin, Vikrant Massey, Gulshan Devaiah, Tanuja Mukherjee, Om Puri, Tillotama Shome, and Konkona’s estranged husband Ranvir Shorey.

Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair’s biographical drama “Queen of Katwe”, starring Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo, will also be showcased at the 11-day festival.

The movie, which has a screenplay by William Wheeler, depicts the life of Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan chess prodigy who becomes a Woman Candidate Master after her performances at World Chess Olympiads.

Actors Nawazuddin Siddique and Dev Patel-starrer “Lion”, directed by Garth Davis, will also be screened at the prestigious festival.

Penned by “Candy” fame writer Luke Davies, “Lion” is based on the non-fiction book “A Long Way Home” by Saroo Brierley.

The film also stars Rooney Mara, David Wenham, Nicole Kidman and Indian actress Tannishtha Chatterjee. The film will be released in the US by The Weinstein Company on November 25, 2016.

It is a drama about a young man (Patel), who reunites with his long-lost parents using Google Earth. “Queen of Katwe” and “Lion” are part of the Galas section of the festival.