National Film Award-winning actress Anjali Patil’s film ‘Selvi’ will have its world premiere in the Vision Asia section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival. The debut feature by Tamil writer-director Sailesh Ratnakumar will be screened at the prestigious festival, scheduled to be held from October 6 to 15, 2026.

Patil stars in the lead role and has also produced the film under her banner, Anahat Films.

‘Selvi’ centres on the lives of home-care workers whose struggles often remain invisible to society. The film offers an intimate portrayal of care, migration, friendship, guilt, exhaustion and the relentless struggle to move forward despite numerous hardships.

Sailesh has co-written the film with cinematographer Bhargav Sridhar. The story was inspired by the home-care nurses who looked after Sridhar’s mother for several months during her serious illness. The film has been edited by nine-time National Film Award winner A. Sreekar Prasad, while Anand Krishnamurthy has handled the sound design.

Anjali Patil said that, as both an actor and producer, ‘Selvi’ represents her effort to bring stories to the forefront that require patience and sensitivity to be told. She described the film’s premiere at Busan as a significant milestone and a matter of great pride for the entire team.

‘Selvi’ has been co-produced by the Red Sea Fund and has also received support from Hong Kong–Asia Film Financing. Through the Vision Asia section, the film will get an important opportunity to reach global audiences and connect with emerging filmmakers from across Asia.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar