Anjali Patil invites Walter Salles to watch 'Selvi' at São Paulo Film Festival
Synopsis
National Award winner Anjali Patil has written personally to Walter Salles, citing his films as a lifelong influence, ahead of 'Selvi's' slot at the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival — the film's second international selection after its Busan world premiere. With no team member available to attend, she's also hoping SS Rajamouli, reportedly present at the festival, will watch the film.
Key Takeaways
'Selvi' , produced by Anjali Patil , has been selected for the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival in Brazil.
The film will compete in the New Filmmakers Competition — its second international festival selection after a world premiere at Busan .
Anjali has personally written to Brazilian filmmaker Walter Salles , citing The Motorcycle Diaries and I'm Still Here as major influences since her National School of Drama days.
Filmmaker SS Rajamouli is reportedly attending the São Paulo festival; Anjali hopes he will watch 'Selvi' in the team's absence.
The São Paulo festival is celebrating its Golden Jubilee (50th edition) this year, adding significance to the selection.
National Award-winning actor and producer Anjali Patil has personally written to acclaimed Brazilian filmmaker Walter Salles, urging him to watch her production 'Selvi' when it screens at the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival in Brazil. The film, which had its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival, will compete in the festival's New Filmmakers Competition — marking its second international festival selection.
A Personal Connection to Brazil
Anjali described her outreach to Salles as deeply personal, rooted in years of cinematic influence. 'Brazil also has a very personal connection for me because of Walter Salles. His films, especially The Motorcycle Diaries and I'm Still Here, have had a tremendous impact on me since my days at the National School of Drama. I've written to him to tell him that our film is coming to São Paulo and that his films have been a big part of my life. It would be such an honour if he gets to watch Selvi there,' she said.
Golden Jubilee Selection
The São Paulo International Film Festival is celebrating its 50th edition this year, making the selection particularly significant for the team behind 'Selvi'. 'São Paulo completing 50 years makes this selection really special. It's a Golden Jubilee year for one of the most celebrated and largest film festivals in South America, so to be part of this edition makes us very proud,' Anjali said. The festival is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious film platforms in the Latin American region.
SS Rajamouli Connection and Team Absence
With no member of the 'Selvi' team able to attend the São Paulo festival due to an overlap with Busan commitments, Anjali has also reached out to filmmaker SS Rajamouli, who is reportedly scheduled to attend the festival. 'SS Rajamouli sir is also going to be at the festival this year, and I hope to reach out to him as well. Since no one from our team will be able to represent the film in São Paulo because of the overlap with Busan, it would be wonderful if he could watch Selvi. For all of us, having the film travel from Busan to São Paulo is very special,' she added.
From Busan to São Paulo
'Selvi's journey from its world premiere in Busan to a competition slot in São Paulo underscores the film's growing international footprint. The New Filmmakers Competition at São Paulo serves as a platform for emerging voices in world cinema, and the selection signals international recognition for both the film and Anjali's efforts as a producer. The film's next chapter will unfold at one of South America's most storied cinematic institutions.
Point of View
And Anjali Patil's producer-actor dual role adds an unusual dimension to its story. The outreach to Walter Salles is a genuine cultural gesture, not mere publicity; the National School of Drama has historically shaped its alumni's cinematic sensibilities in ways that transcend borders. The absence of the team at São Paulo is a logistical reality that Indian indie films frequently face — and hoping that a filmmaker of Rajamouli's stature steps in as an informal ambassador reflects both the ambition and the resource constraints that define this space.
NationPress
4 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the film 'Selvi' and who produced it?
'Selvi' is a film produced by National Award-winning actor Anjali Patil. It had its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival and has since been selected for the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival's New Filmmakers Competition.
Why did Anjali Patil write to Walter Salles?
Anjali Patil wrote to Brazilian filmmaker Walter Salles to inform him that 'Selvi' would be screening at the São Paulo International Film Festival and to share that his films, particularly 'The Motorcycle Diaries' and 'I'm Still Here', had been a major influence on her since her time at the National School of Drama.
Why is the São Paulo selection especially significant this year?
The São Paulo International Film Festival is celebrating its 50th edition — a Golden Jubilee year — making it one of the most landmark editions in the festival's history. Being selected for competition in this edition holds added prestige for the 'Selvi' team.
Will any member of the 'Selvi' team attend the São Paulo festival?
No member of the 'Selvi' team will be able to attend the São Paulo festival due to a scheduling overlap with the Busan International Film Festival. Anjali Patil has expressed hope that filmmaker SS Rajamouli, who is reportedly attending, might watch the film there.
What is the New Filmmakers Competition at the São Paulo International Film Festival?
The New Filmmakers Competition is a dedicated section of the São Paulo International Film Festival that spotlights emerging directorial voices in world cinema. 'Selvi's' selection for this category marks its second international festival appearance after Busan.
