Actress Geetanjali Kulkarni has spoken candidly about her experience on the award-winning short film 'Razaa', calling it one of the most creatively satisfying projects of her career. The film, written and directed by Pooja Tolani and produced by Radhika Sawhney and Suresh Triveni, centres on the emotional complexities of an unexpected pregnancy and the agency of women.

What Made Razaa Special for Geetanjali

Kulkarni, who portrays Sabeen's mother in the film, credited the meticulous rehearsal process and attention to every beat of the story for giving her a rare sense of creative ownership. 'Working on Razaa was very satisfying. A short film is an opportunity to create something with freedom. And Pooja used this opportunity well,' she said.

'For me when things are rehearsed well and we work on every beat of the story, it empowers me as an actor. And that's why Razaa is special because as actors we rarely feel satisfied with the process. Razaa gave me that opportunity to create a process to portray Razaa's mother Sabeen,' Kulkarni added.

Awards and Festival Recognition

The film has earned significant recognition on the international festival circuit. Pooja Tolani won the Best Debut Director Award at India's premier documentary and short film festival, and also claimed the Best First Time Director honour in Greece. The double win marks a notable debut for the filmmaker.

Reacting to the recognition, Tolani said, 'Razaa explores the complicated relationship women have with their own agency and the incredible value of female solidarity and sisterhood. And this sisterhood was a blessing during the making of the film too — with a majority of the team being women.'

What the Producers Said

Co-producer Suresh Triveni praised Tolani's clarity of vision from the outset. 'What stood out to me from the very first reading was Pooja's clarity of voice and compassion for her characters. Razaa deals with a sensitive subject with remarkable maturity and grace. The awards are a wonderful recognition of a filmmaker who has announced herself with confidence and originality,' he said.

Triveni added that the team is currently in talks to find the right buyer or platform to bring Razaa to audiences beyond the festival circuit.

Producer Radhika Sawhney said she had no hesitation backing the project after hearing the script. 'Women taking agency of their lives is a topic I feel very strongly about. Pooja is a very fine writer and it was great to support her to bring her story to life. Having Geetanjali Kulkarni was an icing on the cake,' she said, describing the film's ethos as fully aligned with the kind of stories she wants to champion.

About the Film

Razaa is written and directed by Pooja Tolani and produced by Radhika Sawhney and Suresh Triveni. The film navigates the difficult decision surrounding an unexpected pregnancy, weaving together themes of moral burden, female solidarity, and personal agency. With a predominantly women-led crew, it reflects both its subject matter and its making. The team is actively seeking a distribution or streaming partner to widen its reach.