Synopsis
Director Varsha Bharath's Tamil film 'Bad Girl' has won the NETPAC Award at the Rotterdam International Film Festival 2025. The film sparked controversy over its portrayal of a Brahmin girl, causing divided opinions within the film community. Despite this, it has been praised for its bold narrative and strong performances.Key Takeaways
- ‘Bad Girl’ wins prestigious NETPAC Award.
- Controversial portrayal of a Brahmin girl.
- Directed by Varsha Bharath.
- Strong performances by Anjali Sivaraman and others.
- Produced by Vetrimaran and Anurag Kashyap.
Chennai, Feb 8 (NationPress) Director Varsha Bharath’s much-anticipated Tamil film ‘Bad Girl’, which ignited a significant debate among the film community—some labeling it “bold and refreshing” while others criticized its portrayal of a Brahmin girl—has clinched the NETPAC Award at the Rotterdam International Film Festival (IFFR) 2025.
The NETPAC award is granted annually to a feature film hailing from the Asia and Pacific regions, selected by a jury from the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema.
According to the festival organizers, NETPAC aims to showcase emerging talents. To qualify for this award, a film must originate from one of the 71 eligible countries within Asia or the Pacific Nations and Islands.
It is worth noting that the teaser for the film, released a few days prior, sparked considerable controversy.
Director Pa Ranjith expressed his admiration for the film on his X timeline, stating, “I watched #BadGirl, and it’s undeniably a bold and refreshing film! Director #VetriMaaran deserves immense credit for supporting such a daring narrative. The film depicts women’s struggles and societal expectations through a fresh new wave cinema style. Kudos to #varsha. Anjali Sivaraman delivers an outstanding performance—make sure you catch this one!”
However, shortly after Pa Ranjith’s tweet, director Mohan G Kshatriyan responded critically, quoting him and stating, “Portraying a Brahmin girl’s personal life is considered a bold and refreshing film for this clan. What else can we expect from Vetrimaran, Anurag Kashyap & Co.? Criticizing Brahmin parents is outdated and untrendy. Focus on showcasing your own caste girls and present it to your family first.”
This quickly escalated into a significant controversy, with one faction condemning the teaser and film while another supported it.
The film, directed by Varsha Bharath, features a talented cast including Anjali Sivaraman, Shanthi Priya, Saranya Ravichandran, Hridhu Haroon, TeeJay Arunasalam, and Sashank Bommireddipalli, among others.
Cinematography is handled by Preetha Jayaraman (ISC), Jagadeesh Ravi, and Prince Anderson. The musical score is composed by Amit Trivedi, while editing is managed by Radha Sridhar.
The film is produced by renowned director Vetrimaran, in collaboration with Anurag Kashyap.
