The celebrated Indian auteur, Anurag Kashyap, is embarking on a journey back to the world of children's cinema with his latest masterpiece, "Little Thomas." This heartwarming comedy-drama, marking the feature directorial debut of Kaushal Oza, is set to make its global debut at the prestigious Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM).
Starring the talented Gulshan Devaiah and Rasika Duggal, alongside the charming child actor Hridansh Parekh, "Little Thomas" marks Kashyap's return to the realm of children's films since his animated directorial venture "Return of Hanuman" in 2007. Set in the vibrant backdrop of Goa in the 1990s, the film follows the heartfelt journey of a seven-year-old boy who strives to reunite his feuding parents in the hope of having a baby brother.
Known for his hard-hitting films like "Gangs of Wasseypur" and "Ugly," Kashyap was captivated by Oza's vision of creating an authentic children's film from a kid's unique perspective. "Crafting a genuine children's film is indeed a challenging genre," Kashyap mused. "One must ensure the script is compelling before embarking on such a journey."
Devaiah, who has collaborated with Kashyap in films like "That Girl in Yellow Boots" and "Shaitan," described "Little Thomas" as a "sweet and charming film that touches the heart." Duggal praised the script for its "intriguing humor and captivating narrative, devoid of unnecessary embellishments."
Oza, a graduate of the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), revealed that over 700 children underwent rigorous auditions to play the role of Thomas and his friends. Produced by Luminoso Pictures, Civic Studios, Flip Films, and Kashyap's Good Bad Films, "Little Thomas" promises to be a visual treat for audiences of all ages.
Anushka Shah, a producer at Civic Studios, spoke of "Little Thomas" as a "refreshing and enchanting tale." She added, "Thomas' boundless imagination, unwavering curiosity, and resilience have the potential to shape the mindsets of children during their formative years. This is a significant reason why Civic Studios is proud to support this film."
Ranjan Singh, the esteemed producer from Flip Films, who had previously collaborated on Oza's captivating short "The Miniaturist of Junagadh," revealed that it was the profound script of "Little Thomas" that drew him in during its reading in 2018. He found it to be a film that authentically captured the essence of childhood. Starring the talented Hridyansh Gokani, Ninad Pandith, and Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal, "Little Thomas" is poised to make its theatrical debut in India after a successful festival run. The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) kicks off on August 15 with the anthology film "My Melbourne," a collaboration between renowned directors Rima Das, Onir, Imtiaz Ali, and Kabir Khan, and concludes on August 25 with Shuchi Talati's Sundance-winning film "Girls Will Be Girls," leaving a lasting impression on its audience.
