You’re correct! Anurag Kashyap’s film **’Bandar’ (Monkey in a Cage)** is indeed set to have its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2025. This means it will be skipping Cannes for its debut in Toronto.
Here’s what we know about the film:
* **Cast:** The film stars **Bobby Deol** in the lead role, alongside **Sanya Malhotra, Saba Azad, and Sapna Pabbi**. Bobby Deol even shared an intense first-look poster of the film on his Instagram.
* **Director:** **Anurag Kashyap**, known for his gritty and raw storytelling in films like *Gangs of Wasseypur*, *Black Friday*, and *Ugly*.
* **Producer:** The film is produced by **Nikhil Dwivedi**.
* **Plot/Theme:** While specific plot details are kept under wraps, it’s confirmed that ‘Bandar’ is **inspired by true events** and will delve into the kind of dark, intense, and psychologically complex themes that are characteristic of Kashyap’s work. The tag line on the poster, “The story that should not have been told…”, further hints at a controversial or difficult subject matter.
* **Festival Selection:** ‘Bandar’ has been selected for TIFF’s prestigious **Special Presentations** category, which showcases high-profile premieres and celebrated auteur cinema from around the world. The 50th anniversary of TIFF makes its selection even more significant.
* **Festival Dates:** The Toronto International Film Festival 2025 will take place from **September 4 to September 14, 2025**.
Anurag Kashyap’s previous directorial, *Kennedy*, premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, so the decision to premiere ‘Bandar’ at TIFF marks a notable shift in his festival strategy. This move is being seen by some as part of an ongoing “Festival Wars,” where major international festivals compete to secure premiere rights for anticipated films.
