Bayaan at TIFF: A proud moment for Indian cinema in Canada

Indian cinema is once again shining on the global stage — and this time, the spotlight is right here in Canada. At the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Bayaan will make its world premiere on September 7, proudly representing India as the only Indian feature in TIFF’s prestigious Discovery section. This category is known for showcasing fresh voices and groundbreaking debuts — and Bayaan fits the bill perfectly.

For members of the Indian diaspora in Canada, the screening is more than just a film premiere — it’s a cultural milestone. TIFF has long been a platform where Indian cinema finds international acclaim, but this year, Bayaan’s selection speaks to the power of Indian storytelling in global conversations.

What Bayaan is about: A powerful story of courage

Written and directed by Bikas Ranjan Mishra, Bayaan is a tense and emotional police procedural that captures the quiet courage of ordinary people. The film follows Roohi, a rookie female detective investigating the anonymous sexual abuse allegations against a powerful cult leader in a small, conservative town.

Huma Qureshi delivers a deeply layered performance as Roohi, a woman navigating resistance, intimidation, and the personal cost of seeking the truth. “It’s a timely and powerful story about a woman caught in the crossfire of power, faith, and systemic complicity,” Qureshi said about the role, calling it one of the most meaningful projects of her career.

For director Mishra, the film is deeply personal. “It is my attempt to bear witness to a society in transition — and to the quiet courage of those who choose to speak,” he explained.

For audiences in Canada — especially those who straddle the cultural lines between tradition and progress — Bayaan will feel at once specific and universal, offering a rare opportunity to reflect on the shifting dynamics of power, gender, and justice in modern India.

The creative mind behind the film

Bikas Ranjan Mishra is no stranger to acclaim. His debut feature, Chauranga (2016), won multiple international awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. His short, Dance of Ganesha, was screened at festivals in Busan and Rotterdam.

With Bayaan, Mishra takes his storytelling to the next level, blending sharp social commentary with gripping drama. Developed with the support of the Hubert Bals Fund and Film Independent’s Global Media Makers program in Los Angeles — where he was mentored by Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin — Bayaan is as globally relevant as it is deeply rooted in the Indian context.