Writer-director Ian Bawa (pictured centre) is in production on his feature debut Strong Son in Winnipeg.

Principal photography began Feb. 1 and will continue until Feb. 19, a spokesperson for the film told Playback Daily. The film is independently produced by Bawa, L.A. and Winnipeg-based Fritzi Adelman and Markus Henkel, Farpoint Films’ head of post-production, who also serves as cinematographer.

Strong Son is based on Bawa’s short of the same name, which premiered at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival in the Short Cuts program. It follows a South Asian bodybuilder that moves back into his elderly father’s house to become his primary caregiver while maintaining his own physical and mental health.

Strong Son received funding from Telefilm Canada’s Talent to Watch program and Manitoba Film & Music.

Farpoint Distribution has global rights to the film. The company plans to have a Canadian theatrical release before launching sales in L.A. at the American Film Market in November, said the spokesperson.

The film stars Mandeep Sodhi (pictured right), reprising his role from the short and from Bawa’s 2024 short film The Best. It also stars Amrit Parbhakar, Calgary-born professional wrestler Yuvraj Singh Dhesi (pictured left) and Michaela Kurimsky.

“This is the most personal film that I’ve ever taken on and I feel immense joy and a responsibility to honour my father and family with it,” said Bawa in a statement.

With files from Kelly Townsend

Image courtesy of Strong Son