YRF’s ‘Titli’ to compete at Cannes film fest

Indian filmmaker Kanu Behl’s “Titli” has been chosen for screening in Un Certain Regard section of the 67th Cannes International Film Festival, to be held May 14-25.

Backed by Yash Raj Films (YRF) and produced by Dibakar Banerjee, “Titli” revolves around the volatile relationship between two brothers – one of whom runs away from home to escape his oppressive family, but turns to a life of crime. The film stars Ranvir Shorey, Amit Sial and newcomer Shashank Arora.

An excited Ranvir took to Twitter to share his excitement: “Finally Cannes will see something I’m in! So happy and excited! ‘Titli’ (at) Cannes2014 UnCertainRegard.”

In development for over two years, the script for “Titli” was selected for Film Bazaar’s Screenwriter’s Lab in 2012 and won the Post-Production Award at Film Bazaar’s Work-In-Progress Lab in 2013.

Earlier this year, YRF had announced that it had roped in “The Lunchbox” fame producer Guneet Monga to help in the international sales, promotion and festival strategies for “Titli”.

The news has given her much reason to cheer.

” ‘Titli’ flies to Cannes. Very, very happy and proud of the director Kanu Behl and producers Dibaker Banerjee Productions and Yash Raj Films. Congratulations,” Monga posted on her Facebook page as soon as the news was made official at a press conference in Paris Thursday.

The Un Certain Regard was introduced as a competitive section at the Cannes gala in 1978.

In 1989, Shaji N. Karun’s “Piravi”, which was in Un Certain Regard, won a Camera d’Or Special Mention. Ten years later, in 1999, Murali Nair’s “Marana Simhasanam” won another Caméra d’or.

Inputs by IANS