Archive · 5 Oct 2026
‘Selvi’ Heads From Busan to São Paulo Film Festival
Selvi is the first film made by Tamil writer-director Sailesh Rathnakumar.
It will be shown at film festivals in Busan and São Paulo.
In São Paulo, it will compete with films by new filmmakers.
The story looks at home-care workers and their lives.
It explores care, migration, friendship, guilt, tiredness and determination.
Anjali Patil stars in the film and is also one of its producers.
The script was inspired by nurses who cared for cinematographer Bargav Sridhar’s mother.
Patil said the film’s trip from Busan to São Paulo is special for the team.
Tamil writer-director Sailesh Rathnakumar’s debut film Selvi will screen at the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival.
After its selection for Busan’s Vision – Asia section, the film will premiere in Brazil and compete in the New Filmmakers Competition.
Starring and produced by Anjali Patil, Selvi explores the lives of home-care workers and themes including migration, friendship and exhaustion.
Rathnakumar and cinematographer Bargav Sridhar developed the script from observations of migrant nurses caring for Sridhar’s seriously ill mother.
The film is produced by Red Sea Fund and supported by Hong Kong Asia Film Financing; its production team also includes Reema Kaur, Hansal Mehta and Sahil Saigal under True Story Films.
- Who
- Tamil writer-director Sailesh Rathnakumar; the film stars and is produced by Anjali Patil.
- What
- Selvi will screen at the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival and compete in its New Filmmakers Competition.
- When
- At the festival’s 50th edition; the supplied article does not give the São Paulo screening dates.
- Where
- São Paulo, Brazil, following a planned screening at the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea.
- Why
- The film was selected for the festival; it depicts home-care workers and explores care, migration and related themes.
Festival selection as an opportunity
The film’s personal and creative significance
Meaning of the São Paulo selection
Festival selection as an opportunity
Anjali Patil said the selection is especially meaningful because the festival is marking its 50th anniversary.
The film’s personal and creative significance
Patil also emphasized her personal connection to Brazil through the films of Walter Salles and said the team valued the film’s journey from Busan to São Paulo.
- Film
- Selvi
- Director
- Sailesh Rathnakumar
- São Paulo festival selection
- New Filmmakers Competition
- Other festival
- Busan International Film Festival, Vision – Asia section, 31st edition
- Subject
- The largely unseen world of home-care workers
- Star and producer
- Anjali Patil
- Production support
- Red Sea Fund and Hong Kong Asia Film Financing