Cinematographer-director Chezhiyan’s directorial venture ‘Kagitha Malar’ was officially selected and screened at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival. The feature was showcased as part of the festival’s prestigious Asian Future competitive section, highlighting emerging cinematic voices across Asia.
Both scheduled festival screenings in Tokyo saw full houses, with Japanese cinephiles, international critics, and festival delegates attending in large numbers. Following the conclusion of the screenings, the auditorium resounded with sustained standing ovations, with attendees praising the film’s visual composition and layered narrative storytelling.
The production was represented at the festival by producer Prema Chezhiyan alongside her daughter Adhitha Chezhiyan, who is currently pursuing her education in Singapore. Chezhiyan, renowned for his acclaimed visual work in Indian parallel and mainstream cinema, has directed and shot the project, reinforcing the international footprint of independent Tamil cinema.