Kanu Behl: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Indian film director and screenwriter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2016}}
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| name              = Kanu Behl
| name              = Kanu Behl
| image              =  
| image              =  
| birth_date        = 1980
| birth_date        = {{birth year and age|1980}}
| birth_place        = [[Kapurthala]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], India
| birth_place        = [[Kapurthala]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], India
| nationality        = [[India]]n
| alma_mater        = [[Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute]]
| alma_mater        = [[Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute]]
| occupation        = Director, writer
| occupation        = Director, writer
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He assisted director [[Dibakar Banerjee|Dibaker Banerjee]] on the cult hit ''[[Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!]]'' and co-wrote ''LSD: [[Love Sex aur Dhokha]]''.
He assisted director [[Dibakar Banerjee|Dibaker Banerjee]] on the cult hit ''[[Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!]]'' and co-wrote ''LSD: [[Love Sex aur Dhokha]]''.


His directorial debut, [[Titli - The Film|''Titli'']], appeared at several international film festivals, including Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, Zurich, Filmfest Hamburg, and BFI London. The script of ''Titli'' was selected by [[National Film Development Corporation of India|NFDC]] for the Screenwriters' Lab 2012, later winning the Post Production Award at Film Bazaar's Work-In-Progress Lab.
His directorial debut, [[Titli (2014 film)|''Titli'']], appeared at several international film festivals, including Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, Zurich, Filmfest Hamburg, and BFI London. The script of ''Titli'' was selected by [[National Film Development Corporation of India|NFDC]] for the Screenwriters' Lab 2012, later winning the Post Production Award at Film Bazaar's Work-In-Progress Lab.


''Titli'' was nominated for Caméra d'Or at 2014 Cannes Film Festival.
''Titli'' was nominated for Caméra d'Or at 2014 Cannes Film Festival.


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Kanu Behl spent his early years in [[Patiala]], Punjab before moving to [[Delhi]] in 1990. Both his parents, Navnindra and [[Lalit Behl]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/7K3s5rDg6v8f5fg0cGpClO/Kanu-Belh--Sharat-Katariya-We-werent-interested-in-a-top.html|title=Kanu Behl & Sharat Katariya: 'We weren't interested in a top-down gaze on the world'|last=Khan|first=Taran|date=2015-10-05|website=Mint|language=en|access-date=2019-02-12}}</ref>are writer-actor-directors and also directed telefilms for the state-run [[Doordarshan]] channel.<ref name=exp14>{{cite web | title = Ties That Bind |publisher= The Indian Express| url = http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/ties-that-bind-5/ |author= Dipti Nagpaul |date= 4 May 2014| accessdate = 2014-05-13 }}</ref>
Kanu Behl spent his early years in [[Patiala]], Punjab before moving to [[Delhi]] in 1990. Both his parents, [[Navnindra Behl]] and [[Lalit Behl]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/7K3s5rDg6v8f5fg0cGpClO/Kanu-Belh--Sharat-Katariya-We-werent-interested-in-a-top.html|title=Kanu Behl & Sharat Katariya: 'We weren't interested in a top-down gaze on the world'|last=Khan|first=Taran|date=2015-10-05|website=Mint|language=en|access-date=2019-02-12}}</ref> were writer-actor-directors and also directed telefilms for the state-run [[Doordarshan]] channel.<ref name=exp14>{{cite web | title = Ties That Bind |publisher= The Indian Express| url = http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/ties-that-bind-5/ |author= Dipti Nagpaul |date= 4 May 2014| accessdate = 2014-05-13 }}</ref>


He studied at [[Apeejay School, Noida]] and sought a bachelor's degree in Business from [[Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies]], Delhi University. In 2003, he joined the [[Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute]] and pursued a PG Diploma in Cinema.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/distressing-portrait-of-indian-family-life-in-cannes/cid/182516|title=Distressing portrait of Indian family life in Cannes|website=telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=2019-02-12}}</ref> While at the Institute, he attended the [[Berlinale Talent Campus]] 2007 and made his documentary 'An Actor Prepares', about a struggling actor, who after seven years decides to give himself 15 days to make it in the film industry or return home. The documentary entered competitively at [[Cinéma du Réel]] 2007, a documentary film festival in France.<ref name=exp14/>
He studied at [[Apeejay School, Noida]] and sought a bachelor's degree in business from [[Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies]], Delhi University. In 2003, he joined the [[Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute]] and pursued a PG Diploma in Cinema.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/distressing-portrait-of-indian-family-life-in-cannes/cid/182516|title=Distressing portrait of Indian family life in Cannes|website=telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=2019-02-12}}</ref> While at the institute, he attended the [[Berlinale Talent Campus]] 2007 and made his documentary 'An Actor Prepares', about a struggling actor, who after seven years decides to give himself 15 days to make it in the film industry or return home. The documentary entered competitively at [[Cinéma du Réel]] 2007, a documentary film festival in France.<ref name=exp14/>


In January 2019 Behl married music composer [[Sneha Khanwalkar]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/kanu-behl-and-sneha-khanwalkar-tie-the-knot/articleshow/67662813.cms|title=Kanu Behl and Sneha Khanwalkar tie the knot|last=Coutinho|first=Natasha CoutinhoNatasha|last2=Jan 24|first2=Mumbai Mirror {{!}} Updated|website=Mumbai Mirror|language=en|access-date=2019-02-12|last3=2019|last4=Ist|first4=06:00}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/music-composer-sneha-khanwalkar-ties-the-knot-with-director-kanu-bahl-1438269-2019-01-24|title=Music composer Sneha Khanwalkar ties the knot with director Kanu Bahl|newspaper=India Today|language=en|access-date=2019-02-12|agency=Ist}}</ref>
In January 2019 Behl married music composer [[Sneha Khanwalkar]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/kanu-behl-and-sneha-khanwalkar-tie-the-knot/articleshow/67662813.cms|title=Kanu Behl and Sneha Khanwalkar tie the knot|last=Coutinho|first=Natasha |date=January 24, 2019|website=Mumbai Mirror|language=en|access-date=2019-02-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/music-composer-sneha-khanwalkar-ties-the-knot-with-director-kanu-bahl-1438269-2019-01-24|title=Music composer Sneha Khanwalkar ties the knot with director Kanu Bahl|newspaper=India Today|language=en|access-date=2019-02-12|agency=Ist}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
After graduating from SRFTI, he produced and directed documentaries for the international channels [[NHK]], Japan and [[ZDF]]/[[Arte]]. He worked with [[Dibakar Banerjee]] on the feature film ''[[Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!]]'' as an [[Assistant director]]. In 2010, he co-wrote the critically acclaimed ''[[Love Sex aur Dhokha]]'' with Banerjee and was chief assistant director on the project.<ref>{{cite web|last=Frater|first=Patrick|date=2014-05-20|title=India's Kanu Behl and Dibakar Banerjee Explain 'Titli' Challenges|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/cannes-indias-kanu-behl-and-dibakar-banerjee-explain-titli-challenges-1201186974/|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|accessdate=2015-01-15|website=Variety|publisher=}}</ref>
After graduating from SRFTI, he produced and directed documentaries for the international channels [[NHK]], Japan and [[ZDF]]/[[Arte]]. He worked with [[Dibakar Banerjee]] on the feature film ''[[Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!]]'' as an [[Assistant director]]. In 2010, he co-wrote the critically acclaimed ''[[Love Sex aur Dhokha]]'' with Banerjee and was chief assistant director on the project.<ref>{{cite web|last=Frater|first=Patrick|date=2014-05-20|title=India's Kanu Behl and Dibakar Banerjee Explain 'Titli' Challenges|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/cannes-indias-kanu-behl-and-dibakar-banerjee-explain-titli-challenges-1201186974/|accessdate=2015-01-15|website=Variety|publisher=}}</ref>


In 2012, the script of his first independent feature film ''[[Titli - The Film|Titli]]'', was selected by [[National Film Development Corporation of India|NFDC]] for the Screenwriters' Lab 2012, which later won the 'Post-Production Award' at Film Bazaar's ''Work-In-Progress Lab'' in 2013.<ref>{{cite web | title = YRF's Titli to compete at Cannes Film Festival|publisher=India Today | url = http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/titli-cannes-film-festival-ranveer-shorey-yash-raj-films-guneet-monga/1/356371.html|date= 18 April 2014|accessdate = 2014-04-25 }}</ref> ''Titli'', appeared at several international film festivals, including the [[2014 Cannes Film Festival]],<ref>{{cite web | title = India's Indie Film 'Titli' Shines at Cannes | publisher = The Wall Street Journal | url = https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2014/06/21/indias-indie-film-titli-shines-at-cannes/|date= 2014-06-21|accessdate = 2015-01-15 }}</ref> [[Melbourne International Film Festival]],<ref>{{cite web | title = 11 Indian films at Melbourne International Film Festival | publisher = DearCinema | url = http://dearcinema.com/news/11-indian-films-melbourne-international-film-festival/0059/|date= 2014-08-04|accessdate = 2015-01-15 }}</ref> Rio de Janeiro International, [[Zurich Film Festival]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Indian new-age cinema a hit at Zurich fest | publisher = The Indian Express | url = http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/indian-new-age-cinema-a-hit-at-zurich-fest/|date= 2014-10-31|accessdate = 2015-01-15 }}</ref> [[Filmfest Hamburg]],<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Titli|url=http://www.filmfesthamburg.de/en/programm/Film/21789/titli|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|accessdate=2015-01-15|website=Filmfest Hamburg|publisher=}}</ref> [[BFI London Film Festival]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Heskins|first=Andrew|date=2014-09-03|title=Picks from the upcoming 58th London Film Festival 2014|url=http://www.easternkicks.com/news/films-coming-to-the-58th-london-film-festival-2014|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|accessdate=2015-01-15|website=Eastern Kicks|publisher=}}</ref> and the [[Chicago International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Kanu Behl's TITLI at 50th Chicago International Film Festival by Chicago International Film Festival in Chicago | publisher = Chicago Indian | url = http://www.chicagoindian.com/desi/eventDisplay.asp?id=69908|date= 2014-10-15|accessdate = 2015-01-15 }}</ref>  Written and directed by Behl and co-produced by ''Dibakar Banerjee Productions'' and [[Yash Raj Films]], ''Titli'' was selected to take part in the [[Un Certain Regard]] section of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web| title = After 'Titli', 'True Love Story' at Cannes film fest |publisher=Livemint| url = http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/PS4hLdTiq4cMnOwZBvRB3O/After-Titli-True-Love-Story-at-Cannes-film-fest.html |date=22 April 2014| accessdate = 2014-04-25 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 2014 Official Selection |publisher=Festival de Cannes 2014 (International Film Festival) | url = http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/article/60533.html| accessdate = 2014-05-13 }}</ref>  
In 2012, the script of his first independent feature film ''[[Titli - The Film|Titli]]'', was selected by [[National Film Development Corporation of India|NFDC]] for the Screenwriters' Lab 2012, which later won the 'Post-Production Award' at Film Bazaar's ''Work-In-Progress Lab'' in 2013.<ref>{{cite web | title = YRF's Titli to compete at Cannes Film Festival|publisher=India Today | url = https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/titli-cannes-film-festival-ranveer-shorey-yash-raj-films-guneet-monga-189509-2014-04-18|date= 18 April 2014|access-date = 2014-04-25 }}</ref> ''Titli'', appeared at several international film festivals, including the [[2014 Cannes Film Festival]],<ref>{{cite web | title = India's Indie Film 'Titli' Shines at Cannes | publisher = The Wall Street Journal | url = https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2014/06/21/indias-indie-film-titli-shines-at-cannes/|date= 2014-06-21|accessdate = 2015-01-15 }}</ref> [[Melbourne International Film Festival]],<ref>{{cite web | title = 11 Indian films at Melbourne International Film Festival | publisher = DearCinema | url = http://dearcinema.com/news/11-indian-films-melbourne-international-film-festival/0059/|date= 2014-08-04|accessdate = 2015-01-15 }}</ref> Rio de Janeiro International, [[Zurich Film Festival]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Indian new-age cinema a hit at Zurich fest | publisher = The Indian Express | url = http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/indian-new-age-cinema-a-hit-at-zurich-fest/|date= 2014-10-31|accessdate = 2015-01-15 }}</ref> [[Filmfest Hamburg]],<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Titli|url=http://www.filmfesthamburg.de/en/programm/Film/21789/titli|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227113132/http://www.filmfesthamburg.de/en/programm/Film/21789/titli|archive-date=27 February 2015|accessdate=2015-01-15|website=Filmfest Hamburg|publisher=|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[BFI London Film Festival]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Heskins|first=Andrew|date=2014-09-03|title=Picks from the upcoming 58th London Film Festival 2014|url=http://www.easternkicks.com/news/films-coming-to-the-58th-london-film-festival-2014|accessdate=2015-01-15|website=[[EasternKicks]]|publisher=}}</ref> and the [[Chicago International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Kanu Behl's TITLI at 50th Chicago International Film Festival by Chicago International Film Festival in Chicago | publisher = Chicago Indian | url = http://www.chicagoindian.com/desi/eventDisplay.asp?id=69908|date= 2014-10-15|accessdate = 2015-01-15 }}</ref>  Written and directed by Behl and co-produced by ''Dibakar Banerjee Productions'' and [[Yash Raj Films]], ''Titli'' was selected to take part in the [[Un Certain Regard]] section of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web| title = After 'Titli', 'True Love Story' at Cannes film fest |publisher=Livemint| url = http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/PS4hLdTiq4cMnOwZBvRB3O/After-Titli-True-Love-Story-at-Cannes-film-fest.html |date=22 April 2014| accessdate = 2014-04-25 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 2014 Official Selection |publisher=Festival de Cannes 2014 (International Film Festival) | url = http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/article/60533.html| accessdate = 2014-05-13 }}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
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![[Film director|Director]]
![[Film director|Director]]
![[Screenwriter|Writer]]
![[Screenwriter|Writer]]
![[lyricist]]
![[Lyricist]]
!Other
!Other
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| rowspan="3" |2008
| rowspan="3" |2008
|''[[Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!]]''
|''[[Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!]]''
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|{{yes|Assistant director}}
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|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/kanu-bahl-sneha-khanwalkar-to-get-married-on-january-22-23-in-indore/articleshow/67427026.cms|title=Kanu Bahl, Sneha Khanwalkar to get married on January 22–23 in Indore|last=Lohana|first=Avinash|date=January 8, 2019|website=Ahmedabad Mirror|language=en|access-date=2019-02-12}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/kanu-bahl-sneha-khanwalkar-to-get-married-on-january-22-23-in-indore/articleshow/67427026.cms|title=Kanu Bahl, Sneha Khanwalkar to get married on January 22–23 in Indore|last=Lohana|first=Avinash LohanaAvinash|last2=Jan 8|first2=Mumbai Mirror {{!}} Updated|website=Ahmedabad Mirror|language=en|access-date=2019-02-12|last3=2019|last4=Ist|first4=06:00}}</ref>
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|''Dahleez Paar''
|''Dahleez Paar''
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|{{Yes|Editor}}
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|TV documentary
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|''Three Blind Men''
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|<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kanu-behl-talks-about-his-new-projects/article26223188.ece|title=I am in no hurry|last=Kumar|first=P. K. Ajith|date=2019-02-09|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-02-12|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
|<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kanu-behl-talks-about-his-new-projects/article26223188.ece|title=I am in no hurry|last=Kumar|first=P. K. Ajith|date=2019-02-09|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-02-12|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
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|Short Film
|Short film
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kanu-behl-takes-his-short-film-to-the-clermont-ferrand-international-short-film-festival/article26088757.ece|title=Kanu Behl takes his short film to the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival|last=Venkatesa|first=Nikhil|date=2019-01-25|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-02-12|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kanu-behl-takes-his-short-film-to-the-clermont-ferrand-international-short-film-festival/article26088757.ece|title=Kanu Behl takes his short film to the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival|last=Venkatesa|first=Nikhil|date=2019-01-25|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-02-12|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
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| 2023
|''Despatch''
| ''[[Agra (2023 film)|Agra]]''
| {{yes}}
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| {{yes|Producer}}
| Premiered in the Directors' Fortnight section of the [[2023 Cannes Film Festival|Cannes]] and screened at the [[28th Busan International Film Festival|BIFF]] in October 2023.
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kanu-behls-agra-to-have-world-premiere-at-directors-fortnight-of-cannes-film-festival-8562919/lite/|title=Kanu Behl's Agra to have world premiere at Directors' Fortnight of Cannes Film Festival|work=The Indian Express|date=18 April 2023|accessdate=21 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biff.kr/eng/html/program/prog_all_list.asp?allYear=2023 |title= The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Selection List |website=Busan International Film Festival|date=September 5, 2023|access-date=September 9, 2023|language=en}}</ref>
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|2024
|''[[Despatch (film)|Despatch]]''
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|Premiered at the [[MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024]] under the Gala Premieres section.
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/manoj-bajpayee-begins-filming-despatch-7178001/|title=Manoj Bajpayee begins filming Despatch|work=The Indian Express|date=7 February 2021|accessdate=19 February 2021}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/manoj-bajpayee-begins-filming-despatch-7178001/|title=Manoj Bajpayee begins filming Despatch|work=The Indian Express|date=7 February 2021|accessdate=19 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Deb |first=Deepshikha |date=2024-09-30 |title=MAMI Mumbai Film Festival Unveils 2024 Official Lineup |url=https://www.highonfilms.com/mami-mumbai-film-festival-unveils-2024-official-lineup/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=High On Films |language=en-US}}</ref>
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==Awards and nominations==
==Awards and nominations==
* Nominated for [[56th Filmfare Awards]] in [[Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] Category for film ''Love, Sex Aur Dhoka''.
* Nominated for [[56th Filmfare Awards]] in [[Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] Category for film ''Love, Sex Aur Dhoka''.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
* Nominated for [[Apsara Awards]] in Best Screenplay Category for film ''Love, Sex Aur Dhoka''.
* Nominated for [[Apsara Awards]] in Best Screenplay Category for film ''Love, Sex Aur Dhoka''.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
* Nominated for [[Caméra d'Or]] at [[2014 Cannes Film Festival]]<ref>{{cite web | title = First-time director from India in the running for Camera d'Or at Cannes |publisher=The National | url = http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/film/first-time-director-from-india-in-the-running-for-camera-dor-at-cannes| accessdate = 2015-01-15 }}</ref>  
* Nominated for [[Caméra d'Or]] at [[2014 Cannes Film Festival]]<ref>{{cite web | title = First-time director from India in the running for Camera d'Or at Cannes |date=21 May 2014 |publisher=The National | url = https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/first-time-director-from-india-in-the-running-for-camera-d-or-at-cannes-1.243682/| access-date = 2015-01-15 }}</ref>  
* ''Critics Prize'' at FIFIB, Bordeaux
* Critics Prize at [[Fifib]], Bordeaux{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
* ''Best Film'' at Seattle South Asian Film Festival<ref>{{cite web | title = Titli, Teenkahon winners at SSAFF 2014 |publisher=Dear Cinema | url = http://dearcinema.com/news/titli-killa-winners-saiff-2014/5304| accessdate = 2015-01-15 }}</ref>  
* Best Film at Seattle South Asian Film Festival<ref>{{cite web | title = Titli, Teenkahon winners at SSAFF 2014 |publisher=Dear Cinema | url = http://dearcinema.com/news/titli-killa-winners-saiff-2014/5304| accessdate = 2015-01-15 }}</ref>  
* ''NETPAC Award'' at [[Hawaii International Film Festival]]
* NETPAC Award at [[Hawaii International Film Festival]]{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
* ''Best Film'' at SAIFF, New York<ref>{{cite web | title = Titli, Killa winners at SAIFF 2014 |publisher=Dear Cinema | url = http://dearcinema.com/news/kanu-behls-titli-buddhayan-mukherjis-teenkahon-winners-ssaff-2014/4509| accessdate = 2015-01-15 }}</ref>  
* Best Film at SAIFF, New York<ref>{{cite web | title = Titli, Killa winners at SAIFF 2014 |publisher=Dear Cinema | url = http://dearcinema.com/news/kanu-behls-titli-buddhayan-mukherjis-teenkahon-winners-ssaff-2014/4509| accessdate = 2015-01-15 }}</ref>  
* ''Best International Film'' at Malatya International, Turkey<ref>{{cite web | title = Turkish film festival awards Indian 'Titli' |publisher= wn.com | url = http://article.wn.com/view/2014/11/29/Turkish_film_festival_awards_Indian_Titli/| accessdate = 2015-01-15 }}</ref>  
* Best International Film at Malatya International, Turkey<ref>{{cite web | title = Turkish film festival awards Indian 'Titli' |publisher= wn.com | url = http://article.wn.com/view/2014/11/29/Turkish_film_festival_awards_Indian_Titli/| accessdate = 2015-01-15 }}</ref>  
* ''Best Actress'' and ''Best Film'', [[Gijón International Film Festival]], Spain<ref>{{cite web | title = Titli takes top prize at Gijón |publisher= wn.com | url = http://article.wn.com/view/2014/12/01/titli_takes_top_prize_at_gij_xf3n_by_amber_wilkinson_2014120/| accessdate = 2015-01-15 }}</ref>
* Best Actress and Best Film, [[Gijón International Film Festival]], Spain<ref>{{cite web | title = Titli takes top prize at Gijón |publisher= wn.com | url = http://article.wn.com/view/2014/12/01/titli_takes_top_prize_at_gij_xf3n_by_amber_wilkinson_2014120/| accessdate = 2015-01-15 }}</ref>
*''Best Foreign First Film'' (Critics Award) at [[French Syndicate of Cinema Critics]] 2016
*Best Foreign First Film (Critics Award) at [[French Syndicate of Cinema Critics]] 2016{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
*Special Jury Prize at [[Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2023]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shackleton |first=Liz |date=2023-11-04 |title='Against The Tide', 'Bahadur' & 'Agra' Take Top Awards At Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/mumbai-film-festival-winners-against-the-tide-bahadur-agra-1235593072/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute alumni]]
[[Category:Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute alumni]]
[[Category:Indian male screenwriters]]
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[[Category:University of Delhi alumni]]
[[Category:Delhi University alumni]]
[[Category:People from Delhi]]
[[Category:Film directors from Delhi]]
[[Category:Writers from Delhi]]
[[Category:Hindi-language film directors]]
[[Category:Hindi-language film directors]]
[[Category:Apeejay School alumni]]
[[Category:Apeejay School alumni]]

Latest revision as of 09:09, 17 March 2026


Kanu Behl
Born1980 (age 45–46)
Kapurthala, Punjab, India
Alma materSatyajit Ray Film and Television Institute
OccupationDirector, writer
Years active2005–present
Spouse(s)
(
m. 2019)
Parent(s)Lalit Behl
Navnindra Behl

Kanu Behl (born 1980)[1] is an Indian film director and screenwriter. He is known for his work in Hindi cinema.

He assisted director Dibaker Banerjee on the cult hit Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! and co-wrote LSD: Love Sex aur Dhokha.

His directorial debut, Titli, appeared at several international film festivals, including Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, Zurich, Filmfest Hamburg, and BFI London. The script of Titli was selected by NFDC for the Screenwriters' Lab 2012, later winning the Post Production Award at Film Bazaar's Work-In-Progress Lab.

Titli was nominated for Caméra d'Or at 2014 Cannes Film Festival.

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Kanu Behl spent his early years in Patiala, Punjab before moving to Delhi in 1990. Both his parents, Navnindra Behl and Lalit Behl[2] were writer-actor-directors and also directed telefilms for the state-run Doordarshan channel.[1]

He studied at Apeejay School, Noida and sought a bachelor's degree in business from Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, Delhi University. In 2003, he joined the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute and pursued a PG Diploma in Cinema.[3] While at the institute, he attended the Berlinale Talent Campus 2007 and made his documentary 'An Actor Prepares', about a struggling actor, who after seven years decides to give himself 15 days to make it in the film industry or return home. The documentary entered competitively at Cinéma du Réel 2007, a documentary film festival in France.[1]

In January 2019 Behl married music composer Sneha Khanwalkar.[4][5]

Career[edit | edit source]

After graduating from SRFTI, he produced and directed documentaries for the international channels NHK, Japan and ZDF/Arte. He worked with Dibakar Banerjee on the feature film Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! as an Assistant director. In 2010, he co-wrote the critically acclaimed Love Sex aur Dhokha with Banerjee and was chief assistant director on the project.[6]

In 2012, the script of his first independent feature film Titli, was selected by NFDC for the Screenwriters' Lab 2012, which later won the 'Post-Production Award' at Film Bazaar's Work-In-Progress Lab in 2013.[7] Titli, appeared at several international film festivals, including the 2014 Cannes Film Festival,[8] Melbourne International Film Festival,[9] Rio de Janeiro International, Zurich Film Festival,[10] Filmfest Hamburg,[11] BFI London Film Festival[12] and the Chicago International Film Festival.[13] Written and directed by Behl and co-produced by Dibakar Banerjee Productions and Yash Raj Films, Titli was selected to take part in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.[14][15]

Filmography[edit | edit source]

Year Film Credited as Notes Ref(s)
Director Writer Lyricist Other
2008 Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! Yes Assistant director [16]
Dahleez Paar Yes Editor TV movie
Three Blind Men Yes Yes Short film [17]
2010 Love Sex Aur Dhokha Yes Yes First assistant director [18]
2014 Titli Yes Yes Directorial debut [19]
2019 Binnu Ka Sapna Yes Yes Short film [20]
2023 Agra Yes Yes Producer Premiered in the Directors' Fortnight section of the Cannes and screened at the BIFF in October 2023. [21][22]
2024 Despatch Yes Yes Premiered at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024 under the Gala Premieres section. [23][24]

Awards and nominations[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Dipti Nagpaul (4 May 2014). "Ties That Bind". The Indian Express. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  2. ↑ Khan, Taran (5 October 2015). "Kanu Behl & Sharat Katariya: 'We weren't interested in a top-down gaze on the world'". Mint. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  3. ↑ "Distressing portrait of Indian family life in Cannes". telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  4. ↑ Coutinho, Natasha (24 January 2019). "Kanu Behl and Sneha Khanwalkar tie the knot". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  5. ↑ "Music composer Sneha Khanwalkar ties the knot with director Kanu Bahl". India Today. Ist. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  6. ↑ Frater, Patrick (20 May 2014). "India's Kanu Behl and Dibakar Banerjee Explain 'Titli' Challenges". Variety. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  7. ↑ "YRF's Titli to compete at Cannes Film Festival". India Today. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "India's Indie Film 'Titli' Shines at Cannes". The Wall Street Journal. 21 June 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  9. ↑ "11 Indian films at Melbourne International Film Festival". DearCinema. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  10. ↑ "Indian new-age cinema a hit at Zurich fest". The Indian Express. 31 October 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  11. ↑ "Titli". Filmfest Hamburg. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  12. ↑ Heskins, Andrew (3 September 2014). "Picks from the upcoming 58th London Film Festival 2014". EasternKicks. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  13. ↑ "Kanu Behl's TITLI at 50th Chicago International Film Festival by Chicago International Film Festival in Chicago". Chicago Indian. 15 October 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  14. ↑ "After 'Titli', 'True Love Story' at Cannes film fest". Livemint. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  15. ↑ "2014 Official Selection". Festival de Cannes 2014 (International Film Festival). Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  16. ↑ Lohana, Avinash (8 January 2019). "Kanu Bahl, Sneha Khanwalkar to get married on January 22–23 in Indore". Ahmedabad Mirror. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  17. ↑ "Kanu Behl". IFFR. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  18. ↑ Kumar, P. K. Ajith (9 February 2019). "I am in no hurry". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  19. ↑ "'Titli' about patriarchy and violence in family: Kanu Behl". The Indian Express. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  20. ↑ Venkatesa, Nikhil (25 January 2019). "Kanu Behl takes his short film to the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  21. ↑ "Kanu Behl's Agra to have world premiere at Directors' Fortnight of Cannes Film Festival". The Indian Express. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  22. ↑ "The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Selection List". Busan International Film Festival. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  23. ↑ "Manoj Bajpayee begins filming Despatch". The Indian Express. 7 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  24. ↑ Deb, Deepshikha (30 September 2024). "MAMI Mumbai Film Festival Unveils 2024 Official Lineup". High On Films. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  25. ↑ "First-time director from India in the running for Camera d'Or at Cannes". The National. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  26. ↑ "Titli, Teenkahon winners at SSAFF 2014". Dear Cinema. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  27. ↑ "Titli, Killa winners at SAIFF 2014". Dear Cinema. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  28. ↑ "Turkish film festival awards Indian 'Titli'". wn.com. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  29. ↑ "Titli takes top prize at Gijón". wn.com. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  30. ↑ Shackleton, Liz (4 November 2023). "'Against The Tide', 'Bahadur' & 'Agra' Take Top Awards At Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival". Deadline. Retrieved 12 October 2024.

External links[edit | edit source]

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