International acclaim

Run Kalyani, which has secured international acclaim and awards, will be screened at Tyneside Cinema on Friday 6th March as part of the celebrations for International Women’s Day 2026.

Written and directed by award-winning South Asian filmmaker and Newcastle University film lecturer Dr Geetha Jayaraman - known as Geetha J, the film follows the story of young cook Kalyani who lives with her ailing aunt and works in two households in Trivandrum in Kerala, India. 

As Kalyani carries on with her daily life, she is ignited by the romance of poetry and a desire to explore worlds beyond her own, with the poetic realist film taking audiences on an emotional journey of grief and grit, sorrow and strength.

Presented by Newcastle University and GemArts, the special Newcastle screening event will feature an exclusive post-film Q&A session with Geetha where she will share her unique insights on being an Indian female filmmaker and the social issues addressed in the film.

Geetha J, who has worked in film and television in India and the UK since the mid 1990s, commented: “As a South Asian woman based in the North East, it’s brilliant to be able to bring Run Kalyani to Tyneside cinema for this very special event, as part of  International Women’s Day celebrations.

“The film is rooted in Kerala but explores themes that I hope will strike a chord with not only South Asian communities, but also  women and other marginalised groups. I can’t wait for people to experience it for themselves and express their response.”

For more information or to book a ticket, go to https://tynesidecinema.co.uk/event/run-kalyani/.