Theatrical Premiere of Tabu-Starring ‘Khufiya’ to Open Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (EXCLUSIVE)

The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA), taking place from October 11 to 15, is set to kick off with the opening film “Khufiya,” a spy thriller starring Tabu. This Netflix-backed production will make its worldwide theatrical debut at IFFLA.

Concluding the festival will be the North American premiere of the dramedy “All India Rank,” directed by Varun Grover, which originally premiered at the Rotterdam festival in January.

In addition to these featured films, the festival will showcase four more narrative features, two documentary features, and 16 short films from a diverse range of countries.

“Khufiya,” directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, is an adaptation of the novel “Escape to Nowhere” written by former chief of counter espionage, Amar Bhushan. The film features the acclaimed actress Tabu in a multifaceted role as an operative tasked with navigating the complex worlds of espionage and romance. The cast also includes Ali Fazal, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Azmeri Haque Badhon.

Vishal Bhardwaj, renowned for his brilliant adaptations of Shakespeare’s works in films like “Maqbool,” “Omkara,” and “Haider,” as well as his recent Agatha Christie-inspired film “Charlie Chopra,” will share his filmmaking journey and multifaceted creative process in a masterclass at the festival. This masterclass will delve into screenwriting, directing, and music in his filmmaking approach.

The festival’s lineup also features several noteworthy selections, including:

• The world premiere of Atul Sabharwal’s “Berlin.”
• Dominic Sangma’s supernatural tale in the Garo language, “Rapture.”
• The Malayalam film “Aattam” (also known as “The Play”), directed by Anand Ekarshi.
• “Joram,” directed by Devashish Makhija, starring Manoj Bajpayee and Tannishtha Chatterjee. This adventure thriller follows a young couple’s escape from a tribal battleground to Mumbai, where they are pursued by a relentless shadow from their past.

Among the U.S. premieres are two documentary features:

• “The World is Family” by legendary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan, which pays tribute to his parents whose lives were intricately linked with India’s independence movement.
• “The Golden Thread” by Nishtha Jain, a poetic tribute to one of the last remaining jute mills in West Bengal.

The festival promises a diverse and engaging lineup of films, offering audiences a rich cinematic experience.

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Christina Marouda, the Executive Director of IFFLA, expressed her excitement about the festival’s third decade and its vital role as a platform for emerging South Asian storytellers. She emphasized the festival’s commitment to delivering a thoughtfully curated program to the audience in Los Angeles. Marouda highlighted how Los Angeles has become a vibrant hub for artists with connections to South Asia and its diasporas, and IFFLA has played a crucial role in providing a platform for their work to reach the heart of the American film industry. Additionally, she acknowledged the invaluable support and networking opportunities that IFFLA has provided to directors, actors, and other talented individuals within the film industry.