NE ENTERTAINMENT BUREAU
Tamil feature film, titled “Kannile Irrupathenna?” written and directed by Bahinie Thevarajah also the film’s producer has won many awards at over 20 Global Film Festivals worldwide. Bahinie is a full-time science actuary who was born in Australia to Eelam Tamil parents.
Bahinie filmed the movie in Australia back in 2018. Due to Covid restrictions, the film did not premiere until it was released in October 2021 by Tamil film Producer CV Kumar.
Bahinie Thevarajah originally produced the film under the banner “Sai Baba Productions”. In respect and memory of her beloved father who passed away recently, Bahinie also named her company “Thevarajah Studios”.
The movie was shot entirely in Melbourne, Australia with Indian Origin Cast members. The film is based on mental health, parenting and unfair judgement women receive in society. The film is gaining recognition globally for its direction, screenplay, framing, acting and message.
Bahinie did not disclose the story of the movie to anyone, the entire cast and crew filmed without knowing the story or script.
The cast members are now winning many awards, and this is a huge achievement given they did not know the story.
The main cast members are Feroz Basha, Aruna, KR Ilango, Srividhya Ashok, Kisshanpyar Anand, Snive Kiruthiga Ilango, Kaushik, Satish, Smriti Maniskandan, Nitin Karthik & Harita. Bigg Boss fame Suresh Chakravarthy’s Nephew, Lakshmikanth, also makes a guest appearance in the film.
One of the most notable awards the film has won is the “Best Original Screenplay” award at the Paris International Film Awards, in a competition against 450 films. This is one of the largest global film festivals.
Moreover “Kannile Irrupathenna?” has also won “Best Indian Feature Film” at the Indo French International Film Festival, where the films’ Cast members Feroz Basha, Aruna, Srividhya Ashok and Kisshanpyar Anand have won “Best Actor”, “Best Actress”, “Best Supporting Actress” and “Best Supporting Actor”, respectively.
The film also won “Best Feature Film” at the Star Hollywood Awards, where Bahinie Thevarajah won “Best Director”. The film bagged the “Best Suspense/Thriller Film” award at the Western Canadian International Film Festival.
The entire cast won “Best Acting” at the London IMF Festival.
Child artist Smriti Maniskandan has also won the “Best Child Artist” award at the Krimson Horyzon International Film Festival.
Bahinie Thevarajah’s victory is now being celebrated worldwide by the Eelam Tamil Diaspora population and by many inspiring female communities, especially as she is one of the youngest female Tamil Directors present.
There is currently talk of selling the film’s Telugu remake rights.
Amidst all this glory at the global film festivals, Bahinie has announced that she will be visiting Chennai during May.
List of awards won by the film
Paris International Film Awards – Best Original Screenplay: Bahinie Thevarajah
London International Monthly Film Festival – Best Acting (Entire Cast): Bahinie Thevarajah
Indo French International Film Festival – Best Indian Feature Film (Bahinie Thevarajah);
Best Actor (Feroz Basha); Best Actress (Aruna); Best Supporting Actress (Srividhya Ashok); Best Supporting Actor (Kisshanpyar Anand)
Western Canadian International Film Festival – Best Suspense Thriller: Bahinie Thevarajah
Best Drama – Bahinie Thevarajah
Star Hollywood Awards – Best Feature Film: Bahinie Thevarajah;
Best Director: Bahinie Thevarajah
London Cine Week Awards – Best Director: Bahinie Thevarajah
Rameshwaram International Film Festival – Best Director: Bahinie Thevarajah
– Best Women’s Film: Bahinie Thevarajah
L’age D’or International Arthouse Film Festival – Best Feature Film: Bahinie Thevarajah
– Best Women’s Film: Bahinie Thevarajah
Tekka International Film Festival – Singapore – Best Director: Bahinie Thevarajah
– Best Feature Film: Bahinie Thevarajah
World Film Carnival- Singapore – Best Feature Film: Bahinie Thevarajah
– Best Debut Filmmaker: Bahinie Thevarajah
Madras Independent Film Festival – Best Director: Bahinie Thevarajah
Aiyan Film Awards – Best Feature Film: Bahinie Thevarajah; Best Director: Bahinie Thevarajah; Best Writer: Bahinie Thevarajah; Best Actor (Feroz Basha);
Best Actress (Aruna); Best Supporting Actor (Kisshan Pyar Anand);
Best Supporting Actress (Snive Kiruthiga Ilango);
Best Cinematographer (Vedanth Malladi)
Uruvatti International Film Festival – Best Indian Feature Film: Bahinie Tehvarajah;
Best Director: Bahinie Thevarajah; Best Actor (Feroz Basha); Best Actress (Aruna);
Best Supporting Actress (Srividhya Ashok)
Gona Film Awards – Best Director: Bahinie Thevarajah; Best Indian Feature Film: Bahinie Thevarajah; Best Actor (Feroz Basha); Best Actress (Snive Kiruthiga Ilango); Best Supporting Actress (Srividhya Ashok), according to a release.