Short film seeks to make a high profile case a talking point again

Runway is a short film, directed by Lee Ali, based on the real life events around the death of two young models and their co-passenger in a car crash in Kochi in late 2021, and looks at the fashion industry and the drugs issue in Kerala.Speaking about making a film on the high-profile case, Lee says, “The idea is to tell society that we need to do better in the fight for justice. The film starts with an activist going live on social media and urging people to seek the truth behind the case. We want to tell people to continue asking questions of the powers that be, till justice is served,” says Lee.The 49-minute film has Ansha Mohan in the lead role of a young girl, who hails from an orthodox family, trying to make it in the fashion industry. The poignant narrative shows the support that she receives from her family, particularly her father, in the face of severe criticism from the community. “As filmmakers, we were drawn to the story, because it was as if people were oblivious to the pain that the family was undergoing. We hope to make this a talking point again,” says Lee.The film also has actors Zinhz Khan, who plays Ansha’s father, and Srinish Aravind in prominent roles, and has been shared by celebs on social media. “The film speaks to the voiceless, giving them a platform to be heard, and carries a message that challenges viewers to question societal norms and prejudices. The film’s success is a testament to Lee’s fearless filmmaking to tackle a woman-centric subject,” says Ebin Sunny, who bankrolled the project.