'Phoolan' world premiere at TIFF draws standing ovation from 2,000-plus audience

Richie Mehta’s Phoolan, based on the life of bandit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi, received a standing ovation at its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Wednesday evening.

The Amazon original was screened in the festival’s Special Presentation section at the Princess of Wales Theatre. The screening drew an audience of more than 2,000, with the film receiving a strong response at the end.

Actor Sneha Kumari, who plays the titular role, led the film’s team at the festival. Cast members Anurag Thakur, Aakash Dahiya and Vikram Pratap Singh were also present, along with writer-director-producer Richie Mehta and producers Shareen Mantri Kedia, Kanwal Kohli and Kishor Arora.

Richie Mehta on telling Phoolan Devi’s story

Speaking about the premiere, Mehta said the film was an attempt to look beyond the mythology surrounding Phoolan Devi and focus on her personal journey.

“Phoolan Devi's story is one that demands to be told with honesty, and without compromise. I was drawn to a very specific chapter of Phoolan's life, the formative years before the world knew her name, contrasted with the period where she was a misunderstood legend. It felt essential to me to strip away the mythology and reveal the human underneath. The themes at the heart of her story — resilience in the face of adversity, the search for dignity, and the courage to claim one's own voice —are timeless. They resonate just as strongly today as they did then, across cultures and geographies. That is why this felt like the right moment to bring her story to the screen. From Poacher to Phoolan, Amazon MGM Studios has been a true creative collaborator, one that backs a filmmaker's vision and gives stories like these the global canvas they deserve. To witness the audience at TIFF rise to their feet, visibly moved, tells me that Phoolan's story has connected in exactly the way we hoped it would. I hope I have done justice to her voice and her story, the way she wanted the world to know.”

Film draws from Phoolan Devi’s autobiography

Phoolan is based on Phoolan Devi’s autobiography, I, Phoolan Devi: The Autobiography of India's Bandit Queen, published by Editions Robert Laffont.

The Hindi action drama focuses on a defining period in her life, built around a brutal 48-hour siege involving an armed group of 2,000 men.

Produced by Shareen Mantri Kedia, Kishor Arora, Kanwal Kohli and Mehta, the film is a Namah Pictures production. Following its TIFF premiere, Phoolan will stream on Prime Video, though its release date has not yet been announced.

Phoolan Devi’s story has been told before

Phoolan Devi’s life also inspired Shekhar Kapur’s 1994 film Bandit Queen, which starred Seema Biswas in the lead role.

The film won three National Film Awards, including Best Actress for Biswas and Best Hindi Feature Film. Its release, however, was controversial, with Phoolan Devi herself opposing the film and threatening self-immolation if it was released.