Neela Nira Sooriyan (English: Blue Sunshine) is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language film written and directed Samyuktha Vijayan[2] who also stars in the lead role alongside Kitty Krishnamoorthy, Gajaraj, Geetha Kailasam, KVN Manimegalai, Prasanna Balachandran and others in supporting roles.[1]
| Neela Nira Sooriyan | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Samyuktha Vijayan |
| Written by | Samyuktha Vijayan |
| Produced by | Mala Manyan |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Steev Benjamin |
| Edited by | Steev Benjamin |
| Music by | Steev Benjamin |
Production company | First Copy Productions |
| Distributed by | Xforia Igene |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Neela Nira Sooriyan got released theatrically on 4 October 2024.[3]
Synopsis
editThe film revolves around a high school teacher Aravind who hails from a small town in Tamil Nadu and has to undergo a courageous journey to transition from male to female in a conservative community.[4]
Cast
edit- Samyuktha Vijayan as Bhanu a.k.a Aravind
- Kitty Krishnamoorthy
- Gajaraj
- Geetha Kailasam
- KVN Manimegalai
- Semmalar Annam
- Masanth Natarajan
- Prasanna Balachandran
- Nakkalites Vaideeshwari
- Nakkalites Aniruth
Production
editThe films marks the debut of a Seattle-based Indian transwoman entrepreneur, techie and film-maker Samyuktha Vijayan's maiden project in Tamil cinema.[2][5] The film was produced by Mala Manyan under the banner of First Copy Productions[3] and released in Tamil Nadu by Xforia Igene.[6] Steev Benjamin did the cinematography, editing, and music.[1]
Release
editTheatrical
editNeela Nira Sooriyan got released theatrically on 4 October 2024.[3]
Awards and recognitions
editThe film was selected to be screened in the Indian Panorama section at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).[7][5] and at the Glasgow Film Festival, 2024.[8] The film was one among the three Tamil titles screened at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IIFM 2024),[9] while the other two being S. U. Arun Kumar's Chithha (2023) and Ajai Vishwanath's short film, Starch.[10]
Reception
editAnusha Sundar of OTT Play gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "[...] With neat performances, strong writing, and clean execution, Neela Nira Sooriyan is just like its title- soothing and shining."[11]
Avinash Ramachandran of The Indian Express gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Neela Nira Sooriyan is less like a pamphlet that can be discarded on a whim, and more like those ‘important questions’ students want to read before the exams. It might not be enough, but it is necessary."[12]
Bhuvanesh Chandar of The Hindu wrote "Neela Nira Sooriyan is a leap forward in the right direction for Tamil queer cinema. Neat performances, deft writing choices, excellent sound design, and a subtle treatment make it an engaging film to invest in."[13]
References
edit- ^ a b c "திருநங்கை இயக்கி, நடித்துள்ள 'நீல நிறச் சூரியன்'". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). 1 October 2024. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ a b Natarajan, Malavica (30 September 2024). "Neela Nira Sooriyan: வெளியாகும் முன்னே பாராட்டு... வரவேற்பை பெறும் 'நீல நிறச் சூரியன்'". Hindustan Times (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "கவனம் ஈர்க்கும் நீல நிறச் சூரியன் டிரைலர்!". Dinamani (in Tamil). 1 October 2024. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ நா, கதிர்வேலன் (26 September 2024). "Director Samyuktha Vijayan Exclusive: ஒரு வெள்ளிக்கிழமைக்குப் பிறகு பெண்ணாக மாறிய ஆண்!". Cinema Vikatan (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ a b P, Sangeetha (24 October 2023). "Neela Nira Sooriyan at IFFI 2023: Elated I am on the same list as Vetri Maaran and Mani Ratnam, says Samyuktha Vijayan". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ RK, Spark (30 September 2024). "தமிழ் சினிமாவின் முதல் திருநங்கை இயக்குனர்! அக்-4ல் வெளியாகும் நீல நிறச் சூரியன்!". Zee News. Archived from the original on 30 September 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ "Indian Panorama 2023 Announces Official Selection for 54th IFFI, 2023". Press Information Bureau. 23 October 2023. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023 – via press release.
- ^ "Neela Nira Sooriyan teaser: A transwoman's struggle with identity". Cinema Express. 30 September 2024. Archived from the original on 30 September 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ "Siddharth's 'Chithha' amongst Tamil titles selected to be screened at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2024". The Hindu. 23 July 2024. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ "Siddharth's 'Chithha' to be screened at IFFM 2024". Times of India. 24 July 2024. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ Sundar, Anusha (3 October 2024). "Neela Nira Sooriyan review: Samyuktha Vijayan champions tale of transitioning which is rooted in realism". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ Ramachandran, Avinash (4 October 2024). "Neela Nira Sooriyan movie review: Blue is indeed the warmest colour in Samyuktha Vijayan's terrific debut". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ Chandar, Bhuvanesh (4 October 2024). "'Neela Nira Sooriyan' movie review: Samyuktha Vijayan's poignant drama is a ray of hope for Tamil queer cinema". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.