On August 7, 2025, director Hansal Mehta shared exciting news on X: his historical drama Gandhi will have its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2025, as part of TIFF’s PrimeTime slate. It’s the first Indian series ever picked for this famous festival. Mehta wrote, “An audacious dream, born of belief and perseverance, now steps onto the world stage. A moment of pride. A quiet revolution begins.
An Indian series at TIFF? That’s a huge deal!
About the Series
Gandhi, backed by Applause Entertainment, is based on two books by Ramachandra Guha: Gandhi Before India and Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World. The series will show Mahatma Gandhi’s life, from his early days fighting for rights in South Africa to leading India’s freedom movement as the Father of the Nation. Planned for three seasons, the first season finished shooting in August 2024 and is expected to release in 2025. Pratik Gandhi stars as Mahatma Gandhi, with Bhamini Oza as Kasturba Gandhi, Tom Felton as Josiah Oldfield, and others like Jaival Pathak and Simon Lennon in key roles.
A show about Gandhi’s whole life? That’s gonna be epic!
Star Cast and Music
The series has a big cast, including British actor Tom Felton (known from Harry Potter) and a mix of Indian and international actors like Amar Upadhyay, Libby Mai, and Simon Lennon. Music is by the legendary A. R. Rahman, whose tunes will make the story even more powerful. Mehta’s vision and this talented team aim to tell Gandhi’s story in a fresh, emotional way, showing both his personal struggles and his fight for India’s freedom.
A. R. Rahman’s music and Tom Felton? This is next-level!
Why It’s Special
Being the first Indian series at TIFF’s 50th year is a proud moment for India. Mehta called it “deeply personal and profoundly universal,” connecting Gandhi’s story to everyone. The series dives into Gandhi’s journey—his time as a lawyer in South Africa, his simple life, and his leadership in India’s independence. Like Madharaasi’s hype or India’s cricket win, this shows Indian storytelling going global. Fans on X, like @CinemaLover_IN, posted, “Gandhi at TIFF? Pratik Gandhi and Hansal Mehta are making history!”
First Indian series at TIFF? India’s shining bright!