Bikas Mishra’s powerful thriller Bayaan, Testimony, is one of the record 17 films and series selected at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF, from India, South Asia and Diaspora. The film had its world premiere in the Discovery section of the festival, that runs from September 4-14.

The Indian films and series in official selection at TIFF are Anurag Kashyap’s Monkey In A Cage (Bandar, with Bobby Deol, in the Special Presentations section), Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound (Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, Janhvi Kapoor, Gala Presentations); Bikas Mishra’s Bayaan (Huma Qureshi, Discovery), and Jitank Singh Gurjar’s In Search Of The Sky (Vimukt, Centrepiece).

Also selected officially are Gandhi, the series co-created by Hansal Mehta and Sameer Nair (Primetime), Satyajit Ray’s Aranyer Din Ratri (Days And Nights In The Forest, 1970, TIFF Classics), Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay (1975, restored by the Film Heritage Foundation and Sippy Films, Gala Presentations); and Sohrab Hura’s Disappeared (India/Nepal), short, in the Wavelengths: Map of Traces section.

Bayaan is Mishra’s second feature after Chauranga, that won the Grand Jury Prize at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles in 2015. Set in small town Rajasthan, Bayaan is a police procedural about a rookie police officer detective Roohi Kartar (Huma Qureshi) investigating the case of a ‘Maharaj,’ the head of a cult, who has raped countless girls in the ashram he heads. He has also given shelter and an education to these destitute women and orphans, who might otherwise never get the opportunity. He changes all the girls’ names, and gets inconvenient girls married to men of his choice, to cover up his tracks. He is an all-powerful figure, with influence over the police, judicial and political system, and is not seen until the last quarter of the film. Indeed, the entire system—through silence, patriarchy and misogyny--empowers the Maharaj.

Roohi finds it near impossible to get a bayaan, a testimony from the survivors that would enable her to nail the criminal. The locals are terrorised – her first witness is shot dead – and police and judiciary block her at every turn. But she refuses to give up, not even when it sets her on a collision course with her own father, also a senior police investigating officer. The film is inspired by real life events.

First of all, kudos to Mishra and producer Shiladitya Bora (Platoon One Films, along with Summit Studios and Guidant Films) for making a film on bringing a criminal cult figure to justice, in today’s India. Second, kudos for redeeming much of mainstream Bollywood with a strong woman-led film, and a competent woman police officer--without a hero. Mishra’s direction makes for a compelling thriller, and a technically accomplished one.

Huma Qureshi is in command of her role: playing the tough guy in a suit, or an empathetic listener, when required. There is an unforgettable scene in which all the ashram devotees bang thalis with spoons (oho!) to protest a summons being served on their Maharaj, described as Holy Father.

The ensemble cast, including Sachin Khedekar, Chandrachur Singh, Vibhore Mayank, Swati Das and Sampa Mandal, is very good. Mishra’s screenplay is excellent and layered, and rich with contradictions and dramatic twists at every turn, investing issues with personal stakes. Udit Khurana’s cinematography is a stand-out, creating atmospheric, delicately lit, dark and melancholic spaces, while Sreekar Prasad’s superb editing keeps the film taut. Ajay Jayanthi’s music and Pragyan Gogoi’s sound are an asset. The women crew include producer Madhu Sharma and Costume Designer Shilpi Agarwal Bora. Bollywood is in good hands with this team.

Bravo for making this powerful film - a must-see.

Actor Vibhore Mayank’s second feature film, Bayaan, has been making waves at the international film festival circuit. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) as well as the Busan Film Festival.

The actor portrays a local cop with a secret agenda, assisting actor Huma Qureshi’s character in a case: “Despite being a very rooted story, the film’s narrative has a global relevance. It explores how people follow a cult in a small place; on a larger scale, it’s about blind following.”

The actor, who moved to Mumbai from Lucknow in 2011, says that it wasn’t possible for a newcomer like him to “strategise” such a career move. “I have waited for 14 years for a film to travel to prestigious festivals and do houseful shows. The results are showing now,” shares the actor who made his lead debut in Himanshu Malik directorial Chitrakut (2022).

Mayank adds, “I debuted as a lead, but it was a small independent film that wasn’t seen widely. I realized it’s crucial to be part of a project that has established actors and an audience. After a two-year wait, I got this film, and it’s gaining acclaim even before its release... I am already working with Himanshu for his second film, and two more offers are at the discussion level. I finally have the confidence that I will get more work.”

This journey wasn’t easy and Mayank faced his fair share of challenges. “From small roles to working as a dubbing artiste, in casting, and assisting on projects, I kept moving forward until I got my break,” he recounts, adding, “Many times, I thought it was taking too long and wondered when my moment would come, but the thought of quitting never once crossed my mind. Practicing art is a luxury, and you have to earn it. So, I kept working, learning, and earning to sustain myself for the right chance. All of this is the culmination of everything, but it is just the start of a new journey.”