Diya Suriya, daughter of Tamil Cinema stars Suriya and Jyothika, is making her directorial debut in the age of 17, with the docu-drama ‘Leading Light’, which will have it’s Oscar-qualifying run at the Regency Theatre in Los Angeles from 26th September to 2nd October 2025.
The 13-minute docu-drama shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked contributions of women gaffers in Bollywood, who work closely with the Director of Photography to shape the lighting of a film frame, Learning Light features interviews with Hetall Deddhia, Priyanka Singh,and Leena Gangude, as they share their experiences navigating male-dominated spaces within the Indian film industry.
Industry insiders suggest that Leading Light is likely to be considered for the Best Documentary Short category at the Oscars 2026, joining the ranks of previous Indian nominees and winners, including Kartiki Gonsalves, and Guneet Monga, who won in 2022 for ‘The Elephant Whisperers’, a Netflix documentary about a couple’s bond with an elephant in Mudumalai National Park.
Diya Suriya’s foray into filmmaking comes on the heels of her family’s continued cinematic presence. Her father Suriya recently starred in Karthik Subburaj’s Retro, released on 1st May, alongside Pooja Hegde. The film explored the love story of Pari and Rukmini amidst the challenges of gangsters, cults, and unpredictable family ties.
With Leading Light, Diya Suriya joins a growing cohort of Indian filmmakers gaining recognition on the international stage, using short film formal to highlight untold stories within the film industry.
Sources: Cinema Express
