After Aryan Khan, superstar couple Suriya-Jyothika’s daughter makes debut with a pathbreaking short film possibly heading for the Oscars.
Published: September 27, 2025 2:46 PM IST
In Bollywood, it’s no surprise when stories of star kids make headlines, especially when Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan recently made his directorial debut with Ba***ds of Bollywood. But in the South, someone else quietly entered the world of cinema with a touch of purpose and perspective.
Who is this person?
That person is Diya Suriya, daughter of Tamil power couple Suriya and Jyothika. Diya made her debut not as an actress, but as a filmmaker, with a short docu‑drama titled Leading Light: The Untold Stories of Women Behind the Scenes. The film puts the spotlight on women gaffers, technicians who work behind the cameras, and explores the discrimination and challenges they face in a traditionally male‑dominated film industry.
Why is Leading Light making waves?
Although it’s only about 13 minutes long, Leading Light is making strong ripples. It doesn’t just document the problem; it humanizes the stories of the women who rarely get seen. Diya interviewed female gaffers like Hetall Deddhia, Priyanka Singh, and Leena Gangurde, letting them share their lived experiences. The technical credit roll shows a young crew, a cinematographer, editor, and music composer, all working behind the scenes.
Her project won awards in student film circuits, including Best Student Short Film and Best Screenplay, marks of recognition that her storytelling struck a chord. Her parents, Suriya and Jyothika, shared messages of pride, encouraging her to keep shining light on stories that often remain unseen.
More about Leading Light
Diya Suriya’s short documentary Leading Light: The Untold Stories of Women Behind the Scenes has not only won praise at student film festivals but is also being considered for submission to international film circuits, including a possible entry into the Oscars’ short documentary category. While it hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, strong festival feedback and critical reception have led insiders to believe the film has the potential to represent India on a global platform.
Story Highlights
- Diya Suriya, daughter of Suriya and Jyothika, debuts with a short documentary Leading Light focused on women gaffers in the film industry.
- The film highlights discrimination faced by female technicians behind the scenes.
- It has won multiple student film awards for Best Short Film and Best Screenplay.
- Leading Light is now being considered for international circuits, with a possible Oscar short documentary category entry.
Diya Suriya has stepped into cinema with a purpose, shining the lens on those often overlooked. Her debut short documentary Leading Light isn’t just a student film, it’s a powerful narrative about gender disparity in the industry.
