Kerala Film ‘Victoria’ Lands role at Shanghai International Film Festival

Updated June ⁣16, 2025
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Sivaranjini J.’s debut film,​ “Victoria,” is heading⁢ to the Shanghai International Film Festival‍ as the sole ‍Indian‌ entry ⁣in the Asian​ New Talent competition. The film’s journey began wiht​ an​ unusual ⁤image: a ​sacrificial⁣ rooster inside a ⁤beauty parlor ‌in a small village near⁢ Kochi, Kerala.

“Victoria,” which premiered at the International Film ‍Festival of Kerala, tells the⁤ story of a young beautician ‌named Victoria. she grapples with family expectations⁢ and her own desires as she ⁢plans to elope with her Hindu boyfriend, defying ‍her ‌Catholic parents. The film unfolds primarily within a beauty ⁢parlor, where⁢ Victoria must also care for a neighbor’s rooster intended for a church offering.

Sivaranjini expressed feeling honored by⁤ the selection. She called it‌ a significant ⁤milestone, acknowledging the team’s collective effort and risks taken during production.

The director said the inspiration struck five years​ ago. ⁤She⁤ saw a rooster with tied ⁤legs near⁢ the toilet of​ a local beauty parlor. Upon inquiry,she learned ​it was a sacrificial rooster destined for St. George church.⁢ “A rooster inside⁣ an all ladies​ beauty parlor was the image that inspired ⁤me ⁢to write the script,”⁤ Sivaranjini said.

The Kerala State Film Development ⁢Corporation’s Women’s Empowerment⁤ scheme ⁢supported the project. Sivaranjini,⁣ a National ​Institute of Design graduate and former freelance ‌editor with a PhD from IIT Bombay, credits the state government grant with⁢ reviving her ⁤filmmaking aspirations.

“By then, I had almost ‌given up on my dream of becoming a filmmaker, aware of the ‍immense struggles independent filmmakers frequently enough‍ face,” she said. “The state government grant was a⁤ huge turning point for me.”

Sivaranjini noted that the⁤ grant​ allowed her to pursue her vision without commercial pressures and provided access to Chitranjali Studio facilities.

She cites G.⁣ Aravindan, a ⁣Malayalam ‍cinema director, as an influence. ⁤She also emphasized that creating “Victoria” was a personal journey to find her own voice.

The late Shaji N.‍ Karun,who ⁤served as KSFDC ​chair during production,also​ supported the project.Sivaranjini ‍said ​it⁢ was an honor to‌ make “Victoria” with ⁣KSFDC while Karun was chair. His encouragement ​at the IFFK premiere⁤ was deeply humbling, she said.

The cast includes‍ Meenakshi Jayan, Sreeshma Chandran, and Jolly Chirayath. The technical team features ‍Anand Ravi, Abdul khader A.K., and Abhaydev Praful.

What’s next

Following‍ the film’s international recognition, Sivaranjini plans to continue exploring stories centered‌ on female characters and ‍experiment with form and ⁣narrative‍ structures.