Compass Productions is proud to announce Calorie, starring Anupam Kher and written and directed by Indo-Canadian filmmaker Eisha Marjara, is set to make its International Premiere in the Cinema of the World section at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, which will be held from 20th to 28th November 2025.
Calorie will release in theatres across Canada on November 28, 2025
After earning praise at its world premiere in Calgary International Film Festival, and 3 awards at IFFSA Toronto, the film, inspired by true events, follows a Sikh-Canadian family as they confront loss and generational wounds, rediscovering love, identity, and healing along the way.
The ensemble cast features Ellora Patnaik in the lead role, known for Sort Of, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Kim’s Convenience, and Ginny & Georgia, along with films such as My Own Country, Tapish, and One Small Visit.
The film also stars Dolly Ahluwalia, Shanaya Dhillon-Birmhan (debut), Ashley Ganger, Sana Syed, Puja Uppal and Tia Bhatia. The film is produced by Joe Balass.
A deeply moving, female-driven family drama, Calorie traces three generations of women as they confront their shared past and buried secrets during a transformative summer in India. The story follows Monika, a stressed single mother who sends her two teenage daughters to visit their relatives in India, hoping the trip reconnects them with their Punjabi roots. What begins as a reluctant visit soon unravels into a powerful journey of identity, healing, and rediscovery across continents and generations.
Written & directed by Eisha Marjara and produced by Joe Balass, Calorie beautifully captures the intersection of culture and belonging, blending the universal themes of family, love, and loss.
Calorie marks another strong performance by Anupam Kher, who brings emotional depth and nuance to a film that bridges two worlds — Canada and India. Known for his versatile global career, Kher’s participation reinforces the film’s cross-cultural resonance and storytelling power.
Eisha Marjara, writer-director of the film said, “Calorie is a story of mothers and daughters, of the complicated bonds that shape who we are. It’s also a film born from personal grief, my own family’s loss in the 1985 Air India tragedy. Through this story, I wanted to explore how we heal and find strength across generations and borders.
Anupam Kher, lead actor of the film said, “Calorie is a deeply human story that goes beyond borders. It’s about family, memory, and healing—themes that every audience can relate to. I was drawn to the honesty and emotional truth of Eisha’s storytelling.”
Joe Balass, producer of the film, said, “Calorie is a powerful story about hidden secrets and divisions cutting across generations. Anchored by the legendary Anupam Kher and the incredibly funny Dolly Ahluwalia, the film’s heart beats through its actresses—including Ellora Patnaik, Ashley Ganger, and Shanaya Dhillon-Birmhan, our youngest star, who brings unforgettable depth to Alia.”
Director’s Statement
At the core of Calorie lies a tragedy many Canadians scarcely know: the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182, which claimed 329 lives. That loss profoundly shaped my questions of identity and the mother-daughter bond. This film centers a family to illuminate that legacy, leaning toward connection and healing as a Sikh-Canadian family navigates silence, misunderstanding, and buried hurt—and emerges more whole.
Production & Support
Produced by Compass Productions. Supported by Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund, CBC Films, Hollywood Suite, and ATN.
International Sales/Distribution: Compass Productions Inc.
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