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Survival action-drama ‘Gevi’ enters Oscars race
The film is inspired by real events and its visual approach draws on the terrain of the Western Ghats.
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Pranavi Sharma - Fri, 16, Jan 2026
- 01:22 EST
- 13
'Gevi' poster and executive producer Sumathy Ram. / Courtesy Photo
'Gevi' has entered the race for the 98th Academy Awards, with voting for nominations underway this week.
The independent Tamil-language feature from India is among 317 films eligible for general entry consideration across all categories. The film is directed by first-time filmmaker Tamil Dhayalan and produced by cinematographer Jagan Jaya Surya. It stars Sheela, Jacquline Lydia and Aadhavan M, and is released by Artuptriangles Film Kampany.
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Set in the mountains near Kodaikanal in southern India, ‘Gevi’ unfolds over a single night. It follows villagers who unite to save a pregnant woman while her husband undertakes a dangerous journey to reach her. The story centers on a remote community confronting bureaucratic indifference and escalating police retaliation after a natural disaster.
The film is inspired by real events. Its visual approach draws on the terrain of the Western Ghats, with cinematography by Surya. The score is by Bala Subramanian, with lyrics by Vairamuthu.
“This isn't just a movie; it's a call for justice from a community whose only crime is living on the edge of nowhere without any roads,” Dhayalan said. “This film is a tribute to the unyielding spirit of ordinary people who, when pushed to the edge by both nature and the state, choose to stand together.”
“As the producer of ‘Gevi,’ I believe the film possesses the scale, craft, and emotional resonance that align strongly with the Academy's Best Picture sensibilities,” Surya said. “The response so far has reinforced our confidence that ‘Gevi’ can compete meaningfully at the highest level, and we are now engaging in a focused, well-structured awards campaign.”
To support its promotion and distribution in the United States and internationally, Sumathy Ramakrishnan, known professionally as Sumathy Ram, has joined the project as executive producer and head of global promotion.
“‘Gevi’ is a deeply moving and urgent film that speaks to the power of community and compassion,” Ram said. “Its honesty and its rooted, local storytelling carry a universal human experience.”
Voting for nominations runs from Jan. 12, through Jan. 16. The nominations will be announced Jan. 22.
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