Tamil film Selvi has its world premiere with packed theatre at Busan International Film Festival, sells out subsequent screenings

Tamil film Selvi made a notable start at the Busan International Film Festival, where its world premiere played to a packed theatre. The film’s subsequent screenings also sold out, giving the production a strong reception during its festival run.

A story centred on migrant care work

The film follows Selvi, played by Anjali Patil, a migrant home-care nurse employed inside the homes of wealthy families. Her workdays can last between 12 and 72 hours, leaving her with limited time and little control over her own life.

That demanding routine forms the foundation of a story about migration, friendship and caregiving. As the narrative develops, an incident from Selvi’s past returns to the centre of the film, shifting its focus toward survival and the difficult decisions people make to protect themselves.

Strong festival response

The packed premiere and sold-out follow-up screenings underline the audience interest surrounding Selvi at Busan. The response places the film’s portrayal of migrant labour, personal vulnerability and caregiving at the centre of its festival presentation.

Beyond its festival reception, the film’s central character gives the story a focused human perspective: Selvi must navigate exhausting work, a constrained personal life and the consequences of her past.

Why the film stands out

By combining a workplace story with a survival narrative, Selvi moves beyond a straightforward account of migration. Its Busan screenings have brought attention to a film shaped by caregiving, inequality and self-protection.