Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 20 (NationPress) For the filmmaking duo Sanjeev Sivan and Deepti Sivan, the forthcoming Navy Day festivities on December 4 are set to be particularly significant, as the Indian Navy unveils its original documentary Jalkanya -- a project that holds profound personal value for them.

The Indian Navy will honor Navy Day 2025 in Thiruvananthapuram, located along the Arabian Sea.

Adding to the excitement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other esteemed guests are anticipated to be present at the event.

In a conversation with IANS, Sanjeev expressed that Jalkanya draws inspiration from the Prime Minister’s prominent Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative, highlighting the creativity, bravery, and resilience of young girls throughout the nation.

“The aim of the project is to amplify the voices of youth through the cinematic medium, while reinforcing a national message of empowerment and inclusivity,” stated Sanjeev.

As part of this initiative, 25 students from Naval schools across the country were selected for an intensive five-day filmmaking workshop in Mumbai.

The sessions were led by celebrated film and music icons, including Aamir Khan, Anurag Kashyap, Shankar Mahadevan, Javed Jaffrey, and A. Sreekar Prasad.

The students were encouraged to develop and produce their own short films, reflecting personal stories, community challenges, and aspirations.

These creations lie at the core of Jalkanya, providing a unique insight into how youth view empowerment, equality, and social change.

The initiative that inspired the film, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter), was launched on January 22, 2015, in Panipat, Haryana. It focuses on preventing gender-biased sex selection, ensuring the survival and protection of the girl child, and promoting her education and participation in all aspects of life.

Over the years, it has transformed into a nationwide movement promoting respect and empowerment for daughters. “Jalkanya serves as both a tribute to this mission and a platform to cultivate the next generation of storytellers,” Sanjeev added.

Interestingly, Sanjeev’s late father was a national film award winner. His brothers include the renowned cinematographer Santosh Sivan, while another brother, who has passed away, Sangeeth Sivan, is known for directing the beloved Malayalam film Yodha, featuring Mohanlal.

The couple’s son, Sidhanshu, aged 14, an actor, recently led the Children’s Jury at the 55th Giffoni International Film Festival in Italy.