Indian auteur Anurag Kashyap is making a return to the children’s film genre with his latest production, “Little Thomas.” This comedy-drama, directed by debutant Kaushal Oza, is set for its world premiere at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM).

“Little Thomas” stars Gulshan Devaiah and Rasika Duggal, alongside child actor Hridansh Parekh. This marks Kashyap’s first children’s film since his 2007 animated directorial venture “Return of Hanuman.” Set in 1990s Goa, the story follows a seven-year-old boy’s attempts to reunite his quarreling parents in hopes of getting a baby brother. Kashyap, known for hard-hitting films like “Gangs of Wasseypur” and “Ugly,” was drawn to Oza’s vision of creating a genuine children’s film from a kid’s perspective. “It’s a difficult genre actually, to make an authentic children’s film,” Kashyap said. “So one has to ensure that it’s a good script before making it.”

Devaiah, who previously worked with Kashyap on “That Girl in Yellow Boots” and “Shaitan,” described “Little Thomas” as a “sweet, cute film.” Duggal praised the script for its “interesting sense of humor” and commitment to narrative without unnecessary frills.

Oza, an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), revealed that over 700 children were auditioned to cast Thomas and his friends. The film is produced by Luminoso Pictures, Civic Studios, Flip Films, and Kashyap’s Good Bad Films. Anushka Shah, producer at Civic Studios, called “Little Thomas” a “refreshingly delightful story.” She added, “Thomas’ boundless imagination, curiosity, and resilience could positively shape children’s mindsets in formative years – an important reason for Civic Studios to back this film.” Producer Ranjan Singh of Flip Films, who previously co-produced Oza’s short “The Miniaturist of Junagadh,” said he decided to produce “Little Thomas” after reading the script in 2018, finding it to be an “authentic children’s film.”

“Little Thomas” also stars Hridyansh Gokani, Ninad Pandith, and Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal. Following its festival run, the film is expected to have a theatrical release in India.

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) opens on August 15 with the anthology film “My Melbourne” from directors Rima Das, Onir, Imtiaz Ali, and Kabir Khan, and closes on August 25 with Shuchi Talati’s Sundance winner “Girls Will Be Girls.”