Priyanka Chopra Jonas-Produced Doc ‘Born Hungry’ Gets Tribeca Films Release, Trailer Unveiled (EXCLUSIVE)

Tribeca Films has acquired “Born Hungry,” the documentary feature produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas‘ Purple Pebble Pictures and Barry Avrich‘s Melbar Entertainment Group.

The film chronicles the extraordinary life story of celebrity chef Sash Simpson. Directed and produced by Avrich, “Born Hungry” follows Simpson’s remarkable journey from abandonment as a young boy in India— where he survived by eating from garbage bins on the streets of Chennai — to his eventual adoption by a Canadian couple and rise to culinary prominence. The documentary captures Simpson’s emotional return to India as he attempts to locate his birth family armed with only fragmentary childhood memories.

The documentary, which premiered at the 2024 Palm Springs International Film Festival and screened at Toronto’s Hot Docs Film Festival, presents what the filmmakers call “a raw, true and important story with a huge heart that deals with identity and cultural heritage.”

Producing alongside Chopra Jonas and Avrich are Mark Selby and Mary Rohlich, with Jay Hennick, Selby and Avrich serving as executive producers. The distribution deal was negotiated by Avrich’s Melbar Entertainment. Avrich is represented by IAG.

Simpson’s against-all-odds story began at age five on the streets of Chennai before being adopted at eight by Canadian philanthropists Sandra and Lloyd Simpson, founders of Families for Children orphanage. Growing up with 31 siblings between Montreal and Toronto, Simpson discovered his culinary passion at fourteen and eventually rose to become executive chef at Toronto’s acclaimed North 44 restaurant.

After three decades in the industry, Simpson now operates his own establishment, Sash Restaurant and Wine Bar, in Toronto’s Summerhill neighborhood.

“We are beyond thrilled to have ‘Born Hungry’ find its home with Tribeca Films,” said director Avrich and producer Chopra Jonas in a joint statement. “Their dedication to bringing powerful independent stories to global audiences aligns perfectly with the heart and soul of this film. ‘Born Hungry’ is more than just a story about food; it’s about resilience, transformation, and the extraordinary journey of a child who defied the odds.”

After three decades in the industry, Simpson now operates his own establishment, Sash Restaurant and Wine Bar, in Toronto’s Summerhill neighborhood.

Avrich, a veteran filmmaker with over 65 documentaries to his credit, has previously directed acclaimed works including “Made You Look,” “The Last Mogul,” “Prosecuting Evil,” “David Foster: Off the Record,” and “Oscar Peterson Black + White.”

Chopra Jonas’ Purple Pebble Pictures describes itself as a production company focused on diverse storytelling that transcends cultural boundaries, positioning itself as a “fearless champion of the underdog” that gives voice to the unheard.

“Born Hungry” is set for theatrical release on April 8, and will be available to stream on Prime Video and iTunes on the same date.

Watch the trailer here: