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Anjali Patil on Sailesh Rathnakumar’s ‘Selvi’: ‘Women Characters Have More Space in Regional Cinema’
At the 31st Busan International Film Festival, actress and producer Anjali Patil made a striking return, recalling her previous success with the Sri Lankan film With You, Without You (2012). This time, she showcased her independent Tamil film Selvi, which explores the often-overlooked lives of migrant home-care nurses. The film, directed by debutant Sailesh Rathnakumar and produced under Patil’s Anahat Films, premiered in the Vision-Asia section, receiving critical acclaim and winning two prestigious awards: the Hylife Vision Award and the Taipei Film Commission Award.
A Complex Narrative
In her role as Selvi, Patil embodies a character burdened with responsibilities that extend beyond herself to her family and roommates. The character’s struggle resonates deeply with many viewers. “Selvi is a really complex character, unseen, average, and mundane—something I get pulled towards. I wanted to play her,” Patil expressed, drawing attention to the emotional weight carried by her character. Patil is no stranger to navigating the intricacies of layered roles, having played significant characters in films such as Newton (2017), Mere Pyare Prime Minister (2018), and Kaun Pravin Tambe? (2022).
Bridging Art House and Commercial Cinema
Rathnakumar, who also served as the film’s writer-producer, describes Selvi as a bridge between arthouse and commercial cinema. The film is noted for its strong audio design, led by Anand Krishnamoorthi, known for his work in the renowned Ponniyin Selvan series. Rathnakumar explained that the project also benefited from international recognition, having received the Red Sea Fund for post-production and being showcased at the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum as a Work-in-Progress project. “The film aims to explore the depth of emotion that home-care nurses experience, a story that is rarely told,” he stated, linking its inception to his personal experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic when his mother became ill.
The Weight of Untold Stories
Through his cinematographer, Bargav Sridhar, Rathnakumar was introduced to the challenging world of home-care services. He noted, “A lot of home-care nurses come from small towns like Nagercoil and Tirunelveli. When they enter the homes, all they bring is care. We don’t see the weight of their emotional burden, and we felt compelled to tell this story.” Rathnakumar, who trained at the Prague Film School and previously assisted veteran editor B. Lenin, recognizes the need for meaningful stories that resonate with audiences while highlighting the challenges faced by these often invisible workers.
Insights from the Creators
In an insightful conversation, Patil and Rathnakumar reflected on the thematic parallels between Selvi and Payal Kapadia’s acclaimed film All We Imagine as Light, which won the Grand Prix at Cannes. Rathnakumar emphasized that their narrative predates Kapadia’s film, stating, “We didn’t have the intention of capitalizing on what was happening in cinema at the time. The emotional response we aimed to convey through Selvi is distinctly different.”
The shift towards more content-driven cinema in Tamil filmmaking has opened doors for independent projects, according to Rathnakumar. He acknowledged the challenges of making independent cinema sustainable in a landscape still heavily influenced by commercial imperatives. “While Tamil cinema is evolving, creating independent films remains difficult,” he remarked, emphasizing the courage required to balance artistic integrity with market demands.
Patil also shared her personal journey, highlighting her unique position as a producer, actress, and now director. She expressed how her background influenced her portrayal of Tamil characters, stating, “When portraying a character from a different culture, understanding the nuances of that society is crucial. Although learning Tamil was a challenge, it was a vital part of the authenticity I aimed to achieve in Selvi.”
The Future of Women in Cinema
On the topic of women-centric storytelling, Patil asserted that regional cinema often offers more opportunities for nuanced female characters than mainstream Hindi films. “Women’s roles are often richer in regional cinema due to a focus on cultural literature rather than the financial pressures that come with big-budget Bollywood productions,” she explained. She noted that many independent Hindi films are struggling, as the focus shifts towards OTT platforms, which often limits the space for diverse storytelling.
Her upcoming projects reflect her commitment to exploring women’s voices in cinema. Patil mentioned her keen interest in magical realism and sci-fi, revealing details about her forthcoming film Average Girl, as well as a Netflix series titled Akka featuring Keerthy Suresh, which promises a strong representation of female characters.
A Closing Reflection
Through the lens of Selvi, Anjali Patil and Sailesh Rathnakumar aim to unveil the complexities of women’s lives, emphasizing the importance of inclusive storytelling in cinema. As regional films continue to carve out space for women’s narratives, both creators remain hopeful and motivated to tell stories that resonate with authenticity and depth, allowing women to reclaim their space both on-screen and in society.
For further developments from both Patil and Rathnakumar as they continue their filmmaking journey, audiences can look forward to the ongoing evolution of regional cinema and its impact on broader cultural conversations.
