Ram Kamal Mukherjee Takes Home Best Director at 11th International Indian Film Festival of Toronto for ‘Lokkhikantopur Local’

Bollywood filmmaker Ram Kamal Mukherjee has achieved a remarkable milestone in his career by winning the Best Director Award at the International Indian Film Festival of Toronto (IIFFT) for his Bengali film, Lokkhikantopur Local. This accolade places him alongside renowned filmmaker Kabir Khan, who also received the Best Director honor for his film Chandu Champion, featuring Kartik Aaryan. Mukherjee’s latest achievement follows his first National Film Award in 2023 for the Hindi short film Ek Duaa, further establishing his reputation for crafting stories that resonate with Indian realities and human emotions.

Recognition for Lokkhikantopur Local

Expressing his joy, Ram Kamal Mukherjee stated, “Every award is special, but international recognition for a story told in my mother tongue makes it even more emotional. Lokkhikantopur Local is very close to my heart. It celebrates the people, places, and stories that often remain unnoticed but are deeply woven into the fabric of our lives. To have this film recognised on an international platform is truly overwhelming.” He added, “Sharing this honour with a filmmaker of Kabir Khan’s stature makes the moment even more special. I remember interviewing Kabir when I was working with Stardust. He is a brilliant storyteller. I dedicate this award to my producer Sangita Sinha and my entire directorial team who had faith in my vision, and the jury members at IIFFT for evaluating this film in the same light as a mega-star Kartik Aaryan film like Chandu Champion; this gives me hope that good content will always find its own audience.”

Mukherjee’s journey from winning a National Film Award for Ek Duaa to receiving international acclaim for Lokkhikantopur Local reflects his dedication to meaningful storytelling that transcends geographical and linguistic barriers.

Sangita Sinha’s Pride in the Film

The film is produced by Sangita Sinha under the banner of Angel Creations. She expressed her pride in Mukherjee’s achievement, saying, “I am extremely proud of my director Ram Kamal dada for winning this prestigious award in Toronto. The competition was tough, as regional cinema comes with a lot of financial restrictions, but still, on the basis of pure content and performance, the film won hearts.” Sinha also plays a significant role in Lokkhikantopur Local, showcasing her versatility as both a producer and an actor.

The film features a talented ensemble cast, including Rituparna Sengupta, Paoli Dam, Kaushik Ganguly, Indraneil Sengupta, Chandrayee Ghosh, Sayani Ghosh, John Bhattacharya, Rajnandini Paul, and Debashish Mondal.

Praise from Co-stars

Rituparna Sengupta, a prominent figure in Bengali cinema, shared her delight over Mukherjee’s win. “I am delighted to know that Ram Kamal won the Best Director Award at IIFFT, and he is definitely deserving. His craft has been well appreciated by national and international cine-connoisseurs since his debut film, Cakewalk. This was my first association with Ram Kamal, and the way he weaved in the character of Labanya with Utpal (Kaushik Ganguly) and Kalyani (Paoli Dam) in the multilayered plot shows his credentials as a filmmaker,” she remarked.

Additionally, Lokkhikantopur Local received further recognition, winning Best Supporting Actress for Chandrayee Ghosh at the West Bengal Film Journalists Awards 2026.