Sthal (A Match) to have World Premiere at 48th Toronto International Film Festival

  Mumbai: Writer-director Jayant Digambar Somalkar’s debut Marathi feature film ‘Sthal (A Match) will have its World Premiere at the prestigious 48th Toronto International Film Festival 2023 held from September 7 to 17, 2023.   It's the only Indian film to be selected in the Discovery Programme, which showcases the first and second features of emerging filmmakers from around the world.  Sthal (A Match) explores the tradition of arranged marriages in rural India, where the relentless pursuit of a girl’s marriage overshadows the very sustenance of life. It is narrated from the perspective of a young girl, Savita, highlighting patriarchy, colorism and social evil deeply rooted in society.   The film shot in Jayant’s native village, Dongargaon in the Chandrapur District of Maharashtra, features an ensemble cast of first-time actors from the village starring Nandini Chikte as the protagonist Savita alongwith Taranath Khiratkar, Sangita Sonekar, Suyog Dhawas, Sandip Somalkar, Sandip Parkhi, Swati Ulmale, Gauri Badki & Mansi Pawar.  The film is produced by Dhun,  a Production Company run by  Karan Grover, Shefali Bhushan,  Jayant Digambar Somalkar & Riga Malhotra.   Jayant, who wrote-directed an award-winning short Iyatta:  Class (2016) and also co-wrote and co-directed the Amazon Prime Original Series Guilty  Minds (2022), said, “I can say that my protagonist Savita found her first ‘match’ and that too from a foreign land! I am overwhelmed and proud that I will be able to showcase my village and my people on a global platform. People who never dreamt of facing a film camera are going to be part of one the best and most prestigious film festivals of the world, TIFF.”   The producer Shefali Bhushan, who wrote and directed Jugni and Guilty Minds,said, “To be premiering ‘Sthal’ at TIFF is very exciting for me, especially since it is my first experience as a ‘Producer’ actually supervising production from the sets, in this case the village where it was shot. Being a director myself, trying to successfully keep a watch on the production and the budget of an independent film, while still enabling the director to get what he wanted was very challenging. But when the film shapes up so well and gets such appreciation, it all becomes very rewarding.” The producer Karan Grover said, “Sthal is an ambitious journey to deliver a story which may be the true story of several young women across the country. Its realism and authenticity should drive the change that we drive. Hope it resonates and everybody can get to watch the film.”