Berlinale EFM 2026: FilmKaravan, Eastern Eagle, and Blue Monday Team Up for Award-Winning ‘Kurinji’

By Pickle February 14, 2026

Inspired by the rare Kurinji flower, ‘Kurinji’ tells the poignant story of a Kerala woman navigating life and self-discovery after her migrant husband vanishes — a project propelled by international collaboration and acclaimed for its authentic depiction of families shaped by migration.

When the elusive Kurinji flower carpets the Nilgiris in blue—a phenomenon that occurs just once every twelve years—it signals a time of extraordinary transformation. Now, this rare bloom becomes the metaphor at the heart of ‘Kurinji’, an evocative new film project from India’s FilmKaravan, Eastern Eagle Production, and France’s Blue Monday Productions. Already turning heads internationally, ‘Kurinji’ has secured both the Berlinale Talents Kompagnon Fellowship and the top prize at the 2024 NFDC Film Bazaar Co-Production Market in Goa.

A Story Rooted in Waiting and Change

At the center of ‘Kurinji’ is Laly, a wife and mother from Kerala whose husband, like so many others, has migrated to the Gulf for work. For twelve years, he sends home money and calls—until, suddenly, he disappears. Laly’s quest to find him, aided by a local TV show that traces missing migrants, unearths secrets and compels her to imagine a new life.

Director Payal Sethi was moved to tell the story from a perspective often neglected in discussions of migration. “I was aware of stories of men who migrate, but I noticed almost nothing was said about the women left behind—women living in a kind of emotional exile, holding their homes together in their husbands’ absence,” she explains. “‘Kurinji’ grew from a desire to tell this story from the woman’s perspective.”

As Payal describes, “The film captures Laly as she evolves through the repetitions of daily life. Her awakening is quiet, but it changes everything around her. Through her journey, I also question the belief that the economic benefits of migration outweigh its personal cost.”

A Bloom of International Collaboration

The film’s authenticity and emotional resonance have drawn collaborators from across the globe. French producer Nathalie Mesuret of Blue Monday Productions discovered ‘Kurinji’ at the Goa Film Bazaar and was captivated by its honesty and originality. The project has also attracted interest from Germany’s 70 Steps, further expanding its international reach.

For Sonali Bawa, Producer at FilmKaravan, the project is perfectly aligned with the company’s mission. “After producing the International Emmy-winning ‘Delhi Crime,’ which explored the contemporary reality of women in India, ‘Kurinji’ felt like a natural fit for us,” Bawa shares. “Though rooted in Kerala, the film speaks across borders through its authentic and moving portrayal of families shaped by migration as an emotional experience. Supporting Payal and her story felt like a natural move, allowing us to champion her strong artistic voice and bring meaningful narratives to the screen since we produced her short films ‘Grant St. Shaving Co.’ (2010) and ‘Leeches’ (2016), both of which enjoyed successful festival runs.”

Amplifying Regional Voices

‘Kurinji’ also marks a significant step for Eastern Eagle Production, a new company dedicated to spotlighting India’s rich regional stories. In partnership with FilmKaravan and Blue Monday, they are helping bring powerful, underrepresented perspectives to international audiences.

As the Kurinji flower’s rare bloom signals a time of change, so too does this film promise to open new conversations about migration, endurance, and the quiet revolutions within women’s lives—making ‘Kurinji’ a project to watch on the world stage.