At the dazzling 2026 Busan International Film Festival, two remarkable Indian films took center stage in the Vision-Asia section, capturing the hearts of audiences and critics alike. The Punjabi feature Birds in the Dark and the Tamil gem Selvi emerged as shining stars, each earning prestigious accolades amidst fierce competition.
Shashank Walia’s black-and-white masterpiece, Birds in the Dark, made a resounding impact by clinching the coveted Songwon Vision Audience Award (Asia), which comes with a generous prize of 10 million Korean won. In a heartfelt gesture, Walia dedicated this triumph to the residents of five Punjab villages whose support was instrumental in bringing this cinematic vision to life, as reported by Outlook.
Meanwhile, Sailesh Rathnakumar’s debut Tamil feature Selvi captivated audiences with its poignant storytelling, anchored by the mesmerizing performance of Anjali Patil. This spellbinding film walked away with not one but two prestigious awards: the Hylife Vision Award and the Taipei Film Commission Award, as highlighted by Hollywood Reporter India. Selvi had its grand premiere at the festival on October 9, marking a significant milestone for Rathnakumar’s burgeoning career.