Young talents in the Malaysian Tamil entertainment industry are making remarkable strides, bringing pride to Malaysia on the global stage. Recently, Divagaran Sockalingam’s short film Rodent won the prestigious ‘Best Asian Film’ award at the World Film Festival in Cannes – Remember the Future. Impressively, the short film was written, directed, and produced by Divagaran himself.
Divagaran is an independent filmmaker who is currently working as an engineer while pursuing his passion for filmmaking through self-learning via online platforms and modules. He also gains experience by freelancing and assisting other aspiring filmmakers. Divagaran began his filmmaking journey during the pandemic, during which he wrote several short stories and scripts for feature films. In a conversation with him, Divagaran shared that Rodent — the English title for the original Tikus — was largely inspired by Aalavandhan directed by Suresh Krissna and Joker directed by Todd Phillips. Notably, Rodent marks Divagaran’s directorial debut.
The short film tells the story of a young girl working as a food court helper, struggling through the hardships of daily life while yearning to escape her harsh reality. Her world is filled with the relentless symphony of a Chinese wok, chopping boards, spatulas, clattering dishes, angry customers, and the persistent coughing of her ailing grandfather. As time passes, the fragile line between her reality and dreams begins to blur, and she finds herself navigating the chaos, determined to find her own rhythm amidst the loud, squeaking orchestra of her life.
The World Film Festival in Cannes – Remember the Future is renowned for highlighting emerging talents and innovative narratives that shape the future of cinema. The festival’s jury, consisting of seven esteemed members from the film, music, and broader artistic communities, conducts private screenings to evaluate the entries. Selected films are then showcased during monthly “Best of Future” screenings at the iconic Cinéum Cannes, where audiences vote for their favorites. These votes culminate in the annual “Best of Future – Audience Award,” which honors films that resonate deeply with viewers. Rodent emerged as the winner of the Best Asian Film category at the March 2025 edition of the festival.
The short film features a talented cast including Dishaaleny Jack, Mogan Chandra Dass, Dhivein Raaj, Fong Jian Key, Benedict Chin Phak Lam, and Sasitharan. The crew includes:
Assistant Director/Art Direction by Harrish Guna
Co-written by Vickneswaary
Cinematography by TS Mathan, Nimalan Munusamy, Sarah Lingam
Sound Design by Sharvein Thangaraju
Background Score by Hari Mahendran
Colorist Rineshwaran
Edited by Kabinaesh KV Sudhan
The short film showcases a talented cast and a dedicated technical crew who brought Divagaran’s vision to life. It is the compelling storyline and exceptional quality that have garnered this well-deserved recognition. The film is expected to be officially released later this year.
Divagaran Sockalingam’s Rodent has undoubtedly made a remarkable impact, not only by winning the Best Asian Film award at the prestigious World Film Festival in Cannes but also by marking the impressive debut of a self-taught filmmaker. With a deeply engaging storyline and a talented cast and crew, the film stands as a testament to Divagaran’s creativity and dedication to his craft. The recognition at such a prominent festival showcases the growing talent within the Malaysian Tamil entertainment industry. As the film prepares for an official release later this year, audiences can look forward to experiencing a poignant and captivating cinematic journey that promises to leave a lasting impression.
All the information and images are provided by Divagaran.
Source: World Film Festival in Cannes Website
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