In his most recent movie, “The World is Family,” which had its world debut this week at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Anand Patwardhan, a renowned filmmaker, constructs his family picture in his most recent movie, “The World is Family,” which had its world premiere at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) here this week.
Patwardhan documents his family’s connections to the freedom movement and how they developed strong relationships with Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, and other key figures of the independence movement. He does this with the help of rare archive film, family photos, and interviews he has conducted over the years with various family members.
The loss of the lofty ideals and intergroup harmony that the leaders of the independence movement stood for, however, is the central issue of Patwardhan’s most intimate documentary.
His lament, “The World is Family,” also honours forgotten heroes like the Sindhi leader Allah Baksh Soomro and the lost ideals of India’s freedom movement.
“Today’s India is not what Mahatma Gandhi, Ambedkar, and Nehru envisioned and fought for,” he declared. “Today, that past is being erased. India has changed since the past. I have said this for years,” the director continued.
But I’m also not arguing that what we’ve lost can’t be found again. It is possible, but you must begin,” he added.
In addition, on Tuesday, Patwardhan became the second Indian speaker at the TIFF Visionaries panel after “Baahubali” director S.S. Rajamouli did so last year.
“For decades, Anand Patwardhan has been a singular figure of independent documentary in India, inspiring a flourishing of new directors today,” reads the TIFF introduction to his film.
The renowned Indian director’s fourth movie, “The World is Family,” will be shown at the Toronto International Film Festival.