National Award-winning actor and producer Anjali Patil has described the Korean reception of her Tamil film 'Selvi' as 'incredible', after the film claimed two prizes at the 31st Busan International Film Festival. The film, directed by debutant Sailesh Rathnakumar, won the Taipei Film Commission Award and the Hylife Vision Award, marking a rare double for a first feature.

A Debut That Defied Expectations

'Selvi' had its world premiere at Busan on 9 October 2026. For Sailesh Rathnakumar, the festival was a milestone on every count — a world premiere followed by two awards for a maiden feature. Feedback from the Taipei Film Commission, according to Patil, was that the debut displayed uncommon finesse. Anjali Patil quoted the Commission's response: 'It doesn't come as a surprise to see a debut with so much finesse and style. It's hard to believe that this is a debut.'

Rathnakumar himself acknowledged the weight of the moment: 'Having my first feature film premiere at Busan was a big moment for me, and winning these two awards makes it even more special.'

What Anjali Patil Said About the Win

Speaking after the win, Anjali Patil was effusive about her director: 'Sailesh has worked the hardest to bring this story to reality, and he deserves these wins.' She added that the recognition affirmed the team's long-held belief in the project: 'We have always had that kind of confidence in him, and that makes us feel even prouder and more confident about whatever we are going through or will be going through or working on.'

As a producer, Patil said the response in Korea had given her creative conviction: 'As a producer, it gives you enough strength to keep working and keep making things that matter, with utmost honesty, attention, and love. The honor and love that we have received from Korea, its audiences, cinephiles, and the young generation of cinephiles is incredible. So, we kind of received this on behalf of all the people.'

What 'Selvi' Is About

'Selvi' centres on a migrant home-care nurse who works in the homes of affluent families. Her shifts can stretch from 12 to as long as 72 hours, leaving her with little control over her own life. When an incident from her past resurfaces, she is forced to confront a difficult situation. The film explores migration, friendship, caregiving, and the choices people make to survive — themes that resonated strongly with Korean audiences and festival programmers alike.

The film stars Anjali Patil alongside Swathy Krishnan, Vinoth Kishan, Archana Padmini, Semmalar Annam, and Mekha Rajan.

What Comes Next for the Film

Following its Busan success, 'Selvi' is set to screen at the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival, extending its international run to South America. The festival trajectory — Busan to São Paulo — signals the team's intent to position the film on the global circuit before a domestic release. Director Rathnakumar said he hopes 'it continues to reach more people as we take it to other festivals.'