Priyanka Chopra Jonas-produced documentary ‘born hungry’ to release on THIS date

At the heart of the documentary lies Simpson’s poignant return to India, where he sets out on an emotional quest to rediscover his roots and reconnect with the family he lost.

Tribeca Films has officially acquired Born Hungry, a compelling documentary feature backed by global star Priyanka Chopra Jonas through her production house Purple Pebble Pictures, in collaboration with Barry Avrich’s Melbar Entertainment Group.

The film tells the extraordinary true story of renowned chef Sash Simpson, who overcame unimaginable odds after being abandoned as a child in India. Directed and produced by Barry Avrich, Born Hungry traces Simpson’s powerful journey from surviving on the streets of Chennai—scavenging from garbage bins—to becoming a celebrated figure in Canada’s culinary scene.

At the heart of the documentary lies Simpson’s poignant return to India, where he sets out on an emotional quest to rediscover his roots and reconnect with the family he lost. Now a successful chef, he is driven by fragmented childhood memories and the hope of uncovering his past.

The film also highlights the compassion of Canadian philanthropists Sandra and Lloyd Simpson, founders of the Families for Children orphanage, who adopted him at the age of eight and forever changed the course of his life.

Born Hungry, directed and produced by Barry Avrich, brings to the screen the powerful and emotional life story of celebrity chef Sash Simpson. The documentary portrays Simpson’s early years of unimaginable hardship, surviving on the streets of Chennai, India, and eating from garbage bins to stay alive. At the age of eight, his life took a transformative turn when he was adopted by Canadian philanthropists Sandra and Lloyd Simpson, founders of the Families for Children orphanage, who brought him to Canada and gave him a second chance at life.

The film follows Sash Simpson’s poignant return to India, where he embarks on a deeply personal journey to uncover his origins and find his biological family, relying solely on vague and fragmented childhood memories. Born Hungry made its world premiere at the 2024 Palm Springs International Film Festival and was also showcased at Toronto’s Hot Docs Film Festival.

Described by the filmmakers as “a raw, true and important story with a huge heart,” the documentary dives into powerful themes of identity, belonging, and cultural heritage, making it both emotionally resonant and universally relevant.

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Joining Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Barry Avrich in producing Born Hungry are Mark Selby and Mary Rohlich, with executive producer credits going to Jay Hennick, Selby, and Avrich. The film’s distribution deal was finalized by Melbar Entertainment, while Avrich is represented by IAG.

Born Hungry is set to release in theatres on April 8 and will also be available for streaming on Prime Video and for purchase on iTunes the same day, offering audiences multiple platforms to experience the powerful documentary.