Jitanik Singh Gurjar’s Debut ‘In Search of The Sky’ Wins at TIFF 2025

The day began with a grim reminder of the harsh realities faced by families grappling with disability and mental health. News broke of a mother in Greater Noida who, in a tragic attempt to save her mentally ill son from falling off their apartment balcony, lost her own life alongside his.

This heartrending incident casts a long shadow over the broader societal neglect of those living with disabilities — a neglect rarely captured with nuance in Indian cinema.

However, cinema has occasionally risen to the challenge with films like Taare Zameen Par (2007), which sensitively portrayed a child with dyslexia, more recently Sitaare Zameen Par (2025), which focused on Down syndrome, filmmakers like Aamir Khan have begun carving out space for stories often relegated to the margins. Yet, such portrayals remain the exception rather than the norm.

Many who grew up in the '00s remember childhood shaped by films including Anjali, Shwaas, Black, Paa, and Sadma — stories of families navigating life with a differently-abled loved one. We didn't realise then, through tears and wide-eyed wonder, how these narratives were quietly expanding our emotional vocabulary. The power of storytelling lies precisely here: it allows us to see — really see — those who are so often rendered invisible.

In Search of a Sky, by debut filmmaker Jitanik Singh Gurjar, which has just won the prestigious NETPAC Award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025, seems poised to carry this vital representation of differently-abled individuals forward in Indian cinema.

The film also titled Vimukt meaning liberated follows a young boy with Down syndrome as he sets out on a quiet, determined journey to find his place in a world that refuses to accommodate his dreams. Through an intimate and unflinching look at the impossible choices faced by families caring for mentally challenged children in rural India, the Braj-language drama follows a couple who embark on a pilgrimage to the Maha Kumbh — a massive Hindu festival held once every twelve years, drawing over 100 million devotees — hoping to find a cure for their son Naraan, who has intellectual disabilities.

Rooted in real experiences encountered by producer and co-writer Pooja Vishal Sharma at an NGO for children with intellectual disabilities, the film explores the fragile balance between love, hope, and societal ruthlessness. As the parents grapple with their son’s future amidst the overwhelming crowds and rituals of the Kumbh Mela, the narrative delves into themes of faith, desperation, and resilience without resorting to melodrama.

Sharma acknowledged the formidable challenges faced during filming, particularly the chaotic first schedule at the Maha Kumbh, describing it as “a war zone" in an interview with Variety. She emphasised that despite limited resources, the team’s dedication never wavered, and expressed hope that the film’s emotional impact might “touch some hearts” and perhaps even “change a life,” which they would consider a victory in itself.

The film’s lead, Nikhil Yadav, prepared for the role by spending time at a shelter home for people with disabilities, drawing on their innocence and hope to bring authenticity to his performance. Cinematographer Shelly Sharma faced the daunting task of capturing the intimate emotional journey of the family against the vast, chaotic backdrop of the Kumbh, employing careful visual strategies to maintain narrative focus.

A largely self-funded project, In Search of the Sky that is a poignant search for freedom and hope amid life’s harsh realities and is a testament to the creative team's dedication and resourcefulness, culminating in its selection for Toronto International Film Festival’s 50th-anniversary Centrepiece program and its win of the prestigious NETPAC Award.