Al Vijay's Diya, titled Kanam in Telugu, is all set to release on Friday. Produced by Lyca, the film stars Sai Pallavi and Naga Shourya in lead roles.
The film centers around the complex issue of abortion. While cinema, and particularly horror films, have demonised this important reproductive right, it will be interesting to see how Diya deals with it.
From the promos, it appears that the character played Sai Pallavi is forced to undergo an abortion. However, she develops a connection with the child that the fetus would have grown into. The makers released a promo video on Thursday, which stars child actor Veronika and Sai Pallavi. The video opens with Veronika setting the premise of the film, telling the audience that people who did not want her had destroyed her but that her mother named her Diya. This is followed by Sai Pallavi making an appearance and saying, "I hope that the Diya I like will be liked by you as well."
The poster of the film as well as the promo video gives more than a hint that mother and daughter will team up in some way to fight those who are oppressing them. While abortion has always been associated with guilt for the woman, the film could turn it around. The character played by Sai Pallavi appears to be quite layered and assertive. A fantastic performer who hasn't disappointed in any film she has starred in, Diya will mark her Tamil debut. The actor has already established herself in Malayalam and Telugu, with back to back hits.
The creepy background score by Sam CS adds to the chills.
Watch:
A special promo from Team #Diya directed by #Vijay @Sai_Pallavi92 @RJ_Balaji @SPremChandra1 #DiyaIn2Days #DiyaFromApril27th pic.twitter.com/ffywXsjlz4
— Lyca Productions (@LycaProductions) April 25, 2018