Breaking Barriers: Anjana (Kai), First Woman Colourist in Malayalam Movie Industry
In a groundbreaking achievement, 20-year-old Anjana, popularly known as Kai, has made history as the first female Digital Intermediate (DI) colorist in the Malayalam movie industry. Kai, a graduate in BA English Literature and Communication Studies, has been announced as the colorist for the movie "Vishesham," which premiered on July 19, 2024.
Kai's journey into the world of color grading started during her undergraduate studies when she worked part-time as a colorist at Team Media Production. Her talent shone through as she contributed to several of Sooraj Tom's advertisements. Currently, she is also working on a feature-length ad film for Sidhil Subrahmanian, marking another significant milestone in her burgeoning career. There is a possibility that Kai might be the first female colorist in the entire South Indian film industry.
In an exclusive interview, Kai shared insights into her unique journey. "Since my father is a cinematographer, I got an opportunity to familiarize myself with the DI color grading machines. Just out of curiosity, I started working on the system, and experienced colorists like Sajay helped me get a hang of it."
Kai's initial work included color grading for nearly eight advertisement films and a couple of short films. However, the opportunity to work on "Vishesham" as an independent colorist brought both excitement and nerves. "I was a bit nervous about working for the movie Vishesham as an independent colorist. The entire team supported me, and I took up the project gradually. Initially, I worked on the movie trailer and then the songs. Finally, I completed the entire movie," she recounted.
Reflecting on her pioneering role, Kai observed, "I think there are not many women in the role of colorists in the Indian film industry. There may be only one or two." Her success story is an inspiring testament to breaking gender barriers in a predominantly male-dominated field.
As Kai continues to make waves in the industry, her journey serves as a beacon of inspiration for young women aspiring to venture into the technical aspects of filmmaking. With her passion, dedication, and trailblazing achievements, Anjana (Kai) is undoubtedly a name to watch in the future of Indian cinema.
