'Delhi Crime' Producer's 'Kurinji' Sets France Co-Production Deal

Variety

by Naman Ramachandran

February 14, 2026

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"Delhi Crime" producer FilmKaravan has secured a significant co-production deal for its upcoming film "Kurinji" with French production company Blue Monday Productions. The partnership was announced at Berlin’s European Film Market and marks a major step forward for the Kerala-set drama, which previously won awards at the NFDC Film Bazaar in Goa and received recognition from Berlinale Talents. Directed by Payal Sethi, "Kurinji" tells the story of Laly, a woman whose husband has been working abroad in the Gulf. After 12 years of silence and financial support from her husband suddenly ceasing, Laly turns to a local television program aimed at tracing missing migrant workers. Her journey reveals her husband’s new life overseas and forces her to confront an uncertain future while envisioning a different path for herself. The film’s title reflects its themes of waiting, endurance, and change, drawing inspiration from the kurinji flower, which blooms once every 12 years in the Nilgiris mountain range. Blue Monday Productions’ involvement was driven by producer Nathalie Mesuret, who discovered the project at Film Bazaar and recognized its unique perspective on migration’s impact on women. The film also caught the attention of Daniel Tenné from German production company 70 Steps, which is in discussions to join the project as a co-producer. These collaborations highlight the growing international interest in authentic stories about migration and its emotional toll. FilmKaravan producer Sonali Bawa noted that "Kurinji" aligns thematically with their previous work on the award-winning series "Delhi Crime," which explores contemporary issues faced by women in India. The company’s support for Sethi, who previously worked with

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Originally published on Variety on 2/14/2026