Diya Suriya, the daughter of well-known actors Suriya and Jyothika, has made a remarkable entry into directing with her 13-minute docu-drama titled ‘Leading Light’. The project, produced by her parents under their 2D Entertainment banner, focuses on the overlooked narratives of women gaffers in Bollywood, emphasizing the experiences of those who work behind the scenes as light-women in the film industry. This docu-drama combines elements of both documentary and drama, featuring personal interviews with three trailblazing women: Hetall Deddhia, Priyanka Singh, and Leena Gangurde, as well as Diya herself.
According to Regency Theatre in Los Angeles, where the film is included in the Oscar Qualifying Run, ‘Leading Light’ will be shown from September 26 to October 2, with screenings each day at 12:00 PM. The film seeks to honor the hard work, talent, and commitment of women who are often invisible on set, providing viewers with a unique insight into their career paths. Meanwhile, Diya’s father, Suriya, is preparing for his upcoming projects, including RJ Balaji’s ‘Karuppu’, which is anticipated to be released soon. The teaser suggests a high-energy commercial film featuring Suriya as a lawyer named Saravanan, also known as Karuppu, with Trisha as the lead actress and a cast of Malayalam and Tamil actors.
The film boasts music by Sai Abhyankkar, cinematography by GK Vishnu, editing by R Kalaivanan, stunts by Vikram Mor, and art direction by Arun Venjaramoodu. With ‘Leading Light’, Diya Suriya has established herself as a promising young director while continuing her family’s tradition of impactful cinema.