17 September 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : Filmmaker Richie Mehta’s Phoolan received a standing ovation at its world premiere at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where the film was screened before a packed audience at the iconic Princess of Wales Theatre.
The Hindi action drama, based on the life of Phoolan Devi, stars Sneha Kumari in the titular role and was presented in TIFF’s prestigious Special Presentations section. Reports said more than 2,000 people attended the screening.
Sneha Kumari Leads the Film
Sneha Kumari plays Phoolan Devi, with Anurag Thakur, Vikram Pratap Singh, Aakash Dahiya, Prateek Pachouri and Dev Dutt Budholiya among the supporting cast.
The film’s team, including Mehta and producers Shareen Mantri Kedia, Kanwal Kohli and Kishor Arora, attended the TIFF premiere.
Story Drawn From Phoolan Devi’s Autobiography
Phoolan is inspired by I, Phoolan Devi: The Autobiography of India’s Bandit Queen.
Rather than attempting to cover her entire life, Mehta’s film focuses on a defining 48-hour siege, during which Phoolan and a group of dacoits are surrounded by a much larger armed force.
The story explores the young Phoolan’s struggle, resilience and attempts to survive a situation in which she and her companions are vastly outnumbered.
Richie Mehta on Telling Phoolan’s Story
Mehta said he wanted to move beyond the mythology surrounding Phoolan Devi and explore the human being behind the famous figure.
He described the themes of the film as including resilience, dignity and the courage to claim one’s own voice, saying he believed those ideas could connect with audiences across cultures and generations.
Standing Ovation at TIFF
The screening at the Princess of Wales Theatre ended with a standing ovation.
Reports from the premiere described the audience as deeply moved by the film, with the reception giving the cast and filmmakers a strong welcome at its international debut.
Amazon MGM and Namah Pictures Collaboration
Phoolan is presented by Amazon MGM Studios and produced by Namah Pictures.
The production team includes Shareen Mantri Kedia, Kishor Arora, Kanwal Kohli and Richie Mehta. The film is set to have a wider release on Prime Video, although an official streaming date has not yet been announced.
Phoolan Devi’s Story Has Been Told Before
Phoolan Devi has previously been portrayed on screen, most notably in Shekhar Kapur’s 1994 film Bandit Queen, which starred Seema Biswas.
That film itself became controversial, with Phoolan Devi objecting to its depiction of her life. It also won three National Film Awards.
A Different Approach to a Familiar Figure
Mehta’s Phoolan takes a more tightly focused approach, concentrating on a specific episode rather than presenting a conventional cradle-to-grave biographical account.
The film uses the siege as a framework to examine Phoolan’s character and the circumstances that shaped her public identity.
From Delhi Crime to Phoolan
Richie Mehta is known internationally for projects including Delhi Crime and Poacher.
With Phoolan, he returns to an Indian story rooted in social conflict and individual resilience, this time bringing it to an international festival audience.
Prime Video Release Awaited
Following its TIFF premiere, Phoolan is expected to reach audiences on Prime Video.
However, the platform has not yet announced a specific public release date, making the TIFF screening the first major opportunity for audiences to see the film.