In a momentous first for Indian streaming, Hansal Mehta’s web series Gandhi is set to have its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), marking it as the first-ever Indian series to be included in TIFF’s prestigious Primetime slate. The festival is scheduled from September 4 to 14, 2025.
A Proud Milestone for Indian Content
Director and showrunner Hansal Mehta took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his enthusiasm:
“An audacious dream, born of belief and perseverance, now steps onto the world stage. Gandhi will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival 2025 as part of its… Primetime slate. The first Indian series ever to be featured at TIFF… A moment of pride. A moment of memory. A quiet revolution begins”.
Similarly, acclaimed composer A. R. Rahman, who scored the series, announced excitedly:
“Glad to announce the world premiere of Gandhi at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival 2025, the first Indian series to be selected in TIFF’s prestigious Primetime slate! This series is Produced by Applause Entertainment and Directed by Hansal Mehta”.
Production & Background
Source Material and Format
Gandhi is a multi-season biographical historical drama created and directed by Hansal Mehta, produced under the banner of Applause Entertainment. The series draws inspiration from historian Ramachandra Guha’s acclaimed biographies: Gandhi Before India and Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World.
Cast Highlights
- Pratik Gandhi embodies Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
- Bhamini Oza, Pratik’s wife, portrays Kasturba Gandhi.
- The ensemble cast features Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy of Harry Potter fame) as Josiah Oldfield, along with international actors like James Murray, Libby Mai, Molly Wright, Ralph Adeniyi, Jonno Davies, Simon Lennon, and Jaival Pathak as a young Harilal Gandhi.
Production Timeline
Filming commenced in January 2024 with locations spanning India, the UK, and South Africa, and wrapped by August 2024. The first season comprises eight hour-long episodes, covering Gandhi’s early years, his time as a law student in London and his activism in South Africa.
Global Aspirations Through Storytelling
The inclusion of Gandhi in TIFF’s Primetime slate underscores a transformative shift for Indian content. As noted by Cinema Express, the drama “allows us the opportunity to humanise Gandhi, presenting him not as a god-like figure, but as someone deeply personal”. This vision aligns with larger global aspirations, giving resonance not only for its subject, but for storytelling that bridges Indian history with universal themes.
Looking Forward
With its world premiere confirmed for early September in Toronto, Gandhi is primed for major buzz on the global stage. Though no official streaming release date has been announced yet, the series is expected to be made available to audiences sometime in late 2025.
For Hansal Mehta, Pratik Gandhi, and the entire Applause Entertainment team, this marks more than just a debut, it is a declaration: Indian stories, told with ambition and authenticity, can stand shoulder to shoulder with global giants.
By – Sonali