Second film's IFFI screening a 'surreal' win

Filmmaker Akhil Sathyan's latest film, a ₹150-crore success that also revitalized Nivin Pauly's career, is set for a screening at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Sathyan expressed surprise at the selection, noting that his team encouraged submitting a commercial film, which was successfully chosen. The screening holds particular significance as the movie was filmed entirely in Goa, a location Sathyan had hoped to see represented at the Goa Film Festival.

This IFFI selection is a 'surreal' moment for Sathyan, marking a promising step in his directorial journey. He aspires to create cinema that resonates with audiences while also achieving critical acclaim, drawing inspiration from films like 'The Lunchbox' and the works of Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi. Sathyan's commitment to exploring cinema beyond purely commercial boundaries is evident in his filmmaking philosophy.

The screening will be attended by Sathyan and composer Justin Prabhakaran on November 23, with Prabhakaran's music being lauded as a vital element of the film's success. The selection also holds a unique family significance, as Sathyan's father, Sathyan Anthikad, and twin brother, Anoop Sathyan, have previously had their films screened in the Indian Panorama section at IFFI.

Currently, Sathyan is in the writing stages of his next project, a romantic comedy also starring Nivin Pauly, which explores relationships in mid-thirties.