The Toronto-based distribution arm of Studio Film Group has acquired all Canadian rights to the feature film Qissa, written and directed by Anup Singh.

The Punjabi-language feature, set in the post-Partition era, won the 2013 NETPAC Award for best Asian film at TIFF.

Thematically, the film explores physical and metaphysical partitions. Starring Irrfan Khan (Life of Pi, The Lunchbox), the film focuses on a Sikh trying to forge a new life for his family in India, and the repercussions of his traumatic experience.

Qissa, which is a copro between India, Germany, the Netherlands and France, also stars Tisca Chopra, Tillotama Shome and Rasika Duggal.

“Writer/director Anup Singh has pushed stylistic and artistic boundaries. I grew up around Punjabi film sets and I hope Qissa will inspire and encourage other Punjabi filmmakers to challenge storytelling conventions,” said SFG managing director Nadia Sandhu in a statement.

Qissa is being repped worldwide by international sales agent The Match Factory.