06/08/2025
Debut feature ‘In Search Of The Sky’ to have its World Premiere at the prestigious 50th Toronto International Film Festival 2025 as the only Indian film selected in the Centrepiece
~The Braj language film explores the journey of a mentally unstable son of a poverty-stricken elderly couple to Maha Kumbh~
~The indie film is born out of a creative collaboration of Jitank Singh Gurjar (Director/ screenplay writer), Pooja Vishal Sharma (writer/ producer) and Shelly Sharma (Cinematographer, Creative Director & Executive Producer)~
TIFF Trailer out: https://youtu.be/yG_XqC-0ulM?si=VgCcZSl6S4l9bwJw
Mumbai, August 6, 2025: Jitank Singh Gurjar’s debut feature ‘ In Search Of The Sky’ produced by Pooja Vishal Sharma to have its World Premiere at the prestigious 50th Toronto International Film Festival, taking place from September 4–14, 2025.
In Search Of The Sky is the sole Indian film selected for the Centrepiece program, which honours and celebrates global cinematic achievements, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in a dynamic array of contemporary films.
The Braj language film shot in Prayagraj during Mahakumbh and Barai and Patwa villages of Madhya Pradesh, earlier this year explores the journey of a mentally unstable son of a poverty-stricken elderly couple to Maha Kumbh.
The film features compelling performances by local theatre actors Nikhil Yadav as Naraan, Raghvendra Bhadoriya as Jasrath, and Meghna Agarwal as Vidya in the leading roles.
Produced by Canvas Creations in association with Summit Studios and Rihla Films, the indie film is born out of a strong creative collaboration of Pooja Vishal Sharma (writer/ producer), Jitank Singh Gurjar (Director/ screenplay writer) and Shelly Sharma (Cinematographer, Creative Director & Executive Producer).
Sharing his excitement about TIFF Premiere the debutant director, and co-writer Jitank Singh Gurjar says, “In Search of the Sky (Vimukt) is a truly independent film, deeply rooted in the rural sentiments of India and we are ecstatic to learn that our film is getting its world premiere at such a prestigious film festival like the Toronto International Film Festival at their 50th anniversary.
This is a big push in the right direction for our film and it motivated me to tell more of such stories and to stay true to them.”
The Producer and writer Pooja Vishal Sharma adds, “We're Grateful beyond words to the Toronto International Film Festival for embracing our beloved creation, 'In Search of the Sky' in the prestigious 'centerpiece' category. This humble, fiercely indie film was born out of a strong vision which got stitched together with sweat, tears and endless devotion of a small and tireless team. To see it soar is a quiet, beautiful miracle. Placing films like these alongside industry giants is deeply moving and motivating for all of us and I hope it inspires other such indie filmmakers too.”
Shelly Sharma - Cinematographer, Creative Director & Executive Producer says, “7 months ago, when we were dealing with thousands of people in each frame who didn't even know they were our featured extras (during the Mahakumbh schedule), if anyone would have told us that we will have our World Premiere at the magnificent Toronto International Film Festival neither of us would have believed it. Ours is a simple story told with utmost honesty without any backing from an established production house or a starcast. This is a truly empowering moment for all of the independent filmmaking community in India and we are excited to see where this journey will take us.”
The film is produced by Pooja Vishal Sharma, Arpan Raut, Akarsh*t Rahul, Bhanushali Navin Shetty, shot by Shelly Sharma, edited by Pavan Theurkar and music by Manish Kumar and Executive Produced by Shelly Sharma and Tushar Tyagi.
Here is the Trailer: https://youtu.be/yG_XqC-0ulM?si=VgCcZSl6S4l9bwJw
Logline
When a 26-year-old mentally unstable son of a poverty-stricken elderly couple begins to feel like a burden and the reason for constant mockery in a village they have lived their entire life. The couple decides to travel to the Maha Kumbh, once in a 144-year pilgrimage, the largest human gathering on the planet. Will this journey bring them the healing they hoped for? Or will their lives be changed forever?
Synopsis
A slice of life tale from an Indian village; a family where an old underprivileged couple is trying hard to make their ends meet while their mentally unstable son of 26 years starts to feel like a burden onto the father's shoulders, as the father struggles with his own old age and the family's daily bread, things take a twist when convinced by the idea that her son will heal if he takes a dip in the sacred Ganges at the MahaKumbh, the mother manages to convince the father and all three of them head to MahaKumbh, the biggest religious gathering in the world that’s happening after 144 years, on a picturesque journey which unfolds an spiritual experience for the son.
Director Statement
In SEARCH of the SKY/ VIMUKT is a poignant film that emerges from strong collaborations between the storywriter Pooja Sharma, my cinematographer Shelly Sharma and myself; our quiet observations of the overlooked lives of rural and underprivileged people. I’ve always been drawn towards the layered narratives of hope and despair; that make us wonder where love becomes complicated, where poverty and helplessness push people to the edge, and where prayers become the only language of hope.
The film is established on the curiosity of how the mentally challenged are perceived and how they live perpetually on the brink of societal dejection, it was an honest effort to understand the pain and voices of the labeled strange people and their families.
The story of ‘In SEARCH of the SKY/ VIMUKT' is not one of dramatic miracles; it is one of vulnerability and perseverance. The family’s journey to the Maha Kumbh is driven not by religious intrigue, but by a last thread of hope. Through their journey, we wanted to explore what “healing” truly means and whether liberation (Vimukti) always looks the way we imagine. Through this film, we wanted the audience to feel the weight of misfortune, the strength in belief, and the quiet suffering of people who love deeply, but don’t know how to save their loved ones.
In SEARCH of the SKY is not just another story of poverty or suffering rather; it’s a mirror reflecting how society deals with difference, and how faith becomes the last es**rt for the helpless, how liberation can be felt as both a prison and release. We made this film to ask: what is the cost of being set free?
Writer-Producer’s statement
In SEARCH of the SKY/ VIMUKT is the story of a soul’s awakening, a rebirth into liberation. After living many years in France, I came to a quiet realization: that while the Western world celebrates art, intellect, and beauty, it often stands distant from the spirit. Amidst the grandeur of the cities, something vital was missing, an invisible emptiness that even the finest lights could not fill.
Drawn by an inner longing, I returned to my roots. I traveled deep into rural India - the real India, where the soul of the land still breathes in the dust, the rivers, the struggles, and the silent prayers of ordinary lives.
It was there that I encountered an NGO sheltering mentally challenged children, little ones abandoned not necessarily out of cruelty, but by families crushed under the weight of relentless poverty. I saw the pain etched into both sides: families torn between love and survival, and children unaware of their own helplessness, living on the margins of a world they could not fully understand. In that deep sorrow, I witnessed a harsh truth - that sometimes, circumstances triumph over love and emotions, and we surrender it all to 'Hari Iccha' - the will of Divine.
It was in that moment of silent understanding that 'Vimukt' was born. Moved beyond words, I began to write — and chose to produce the film myself, gathering a team of brilliant artists and professionals who shared my vision.
Today, I stand proud to share Vimukt - a story not just crafted with hands & mind but with heart, spirit, and a deep reverence for the silent battles. In SEARCH of the SKY/ VIMUKT was born from these sacred encounters, a film that seeks not just to tell a story, but to awaken the spirit, and to offer a glimpse of liberation to every soul willing to listen.
Jitank Singh Gurjar
Director, Screenplay & Dialogues writer
Jitank Gurjar is an independent filmmaker and theatre artist with over 11 years of experience, spanning theatre, ad films, music videos, and documentaries. A self-taught storyteller, he made his directorial debut with BAASAN, a regional art film rooted in rural folklore, officially screened at IFFI 54 and was part of 2024 Cannes Marché du Film.
Pooja Vishal Sharma
Producer & Storywriter
Pooja is a first-time feature film producer who has also written the story for the project and co-written the screenplay. Inspired by a real newspaper headline about abandoned individuals at the Kumbh Mela. After returning from France, she set out to transform her emotional response into a powerful cinematic journey rooted in empathy and purpose.
Shelly Sharma
Cinematographer, Creative Director & Executive Producer
Shelly is a Cinematographer, Filmmaker & Producer. Shelly finds it easy to adapt across varied formats; both fiction and documentaries, and she thrives on blending the aesthetics and techniques of each to elevate the other. Whether she’s on a high-budget commercial set or deep in the heart of an indie production, She brings the same level of commitment, curiosity, and creative rigor to the table.
Her experience across formats enables her to craft visuals that are both cinematically rich and emotionally grounded, bringing authenticity to fiction and a dramatic eye to real life and she sees every project as a collaborative journey, where ideas sharpen through exchange and ex*****on thrives on shared passion.
About Maha Kumbh
The Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the largest and most sacred religious gatherings in the world, held once every 12 years in India at the confluence of 3 holy rivers; The sacred Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati river. Deeply rooted in Hindu tradition, it is believed that during the Maha Kumbh, the rivers are charged with divine energy, and bathing in them washes away sins, liberates the soul from the cycle of rebirth, and grants niravana. Pilgrims, ascetics, monks, and ordinary people from across India and beyond come together to participate in this centuries-old ritual. The festival draws over 100 million people from around the world over its course, making it the largest peaceful gathering of humanity. This year it was The atmosphere is a unique blend of devotion, vibrant traditions, ancient chants, and community spirit — offering not just a religious experience, but also a profound cultural and spiritual glimpse into India’s timeless faith in renewal and salvation.
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