Avani Films, a production company based in the UK and India, is making waves with its diverse and exciting lineup. Led by Anu Vaidyanathan, a filmmaker, comedian, and former Indian long-course triathlete, Avani Films is venturing into feature films and limited drama series, building on its successful collection of shorts.
An Engaging Comedy: “Mis(s)chief”
Carlos Bardem, known for his roles in Prime Video’s “El Cid” and Netflix’s “The Chosen One,” will star in the English-language comedy feature, “Mis(s)chief.” Bardem describes the film as a delightful journey through the life of a female filmmaker, exploring the multitude of roles women take on and all the fun they have while doing it. The movie, written and directed by Anu Vaidyanathan, follows a mother of two trying to make her mark in the film industry while navigating a failing marriage, unexpected encounters with gangsters, and an endless stream of homework from her children. According to Vaidyanathan, the story represents a modern take on Jules Verne’s “Around the World in 80 Days” from the perspective of a Tamilian woman.
A Stellar Team
Peter Webber, the British filmmaker behind “Girl With a Pearl Earring,” joins “Mis(s)chief” as the executive producer. Emmy-nominated casting director Nancy Bishop will assemble an international cast for the film. Webber, in an interview with Variety, praised Anu Vaidyanathan’s comedic sensibility and the script’s sharp subversion, which inspired him to help bring her debut feature to life. Bishop expressed her excitement about bringing together a diverse cast for a comedy about the timeless struggles faced by female creatives.
Exciting Projects on the Horizon
Avani Films has more exciting projects in the works. “Candy,” a Tamil-language thriller with elements of English, is a finalist at Rotterdam’s Hubert Bals script development fund. It tells the story of an immigrant anti-heroine haunted by her past. Another project, “Modern Times,” is a six-part English-language limited drama series that revolves around a fractured Indian family and their recurring neuroses across different generations. The story unfolds in two timelines: the present and pre-independent India.
A Journey of Endurance
Anu Vaidyanathan’s sports memoir, “Anywhere But Home: Adventures in Endurance,” is also in the process of being adapted into a film. The memoir chronicles her remarkable journey of becoming the first Asian woman to complete Ultraman Canada, a grueling triathlon consisting of a 10-kilometer swim, a 420-kilometer bike ride, and an 84.4-kilometer run.
Anu Vaidyanathan: A Multitalented Creative Force
Anu Vaidyanathan brings a wealth of experience to Avani Films. Her debut comedy hour at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival toured internationally, including stops in London, Paris, Berlin, Prague, and multiple cities in India. She has honed her craft at renowned institutions such as the National Film and Television School, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and Ecole Philippe Gaulier. With Avani Films, she aims to create work that is hyperlocal, authentic, and unafraid to amplify voices that are yet to be heard or acknowledged.
Avani Films is an exciting venture, and with projects like “Mis(s)chief” and the upcoming adaptations, they are forming a strong foundation. Stay tuned for more updates from Avani Films as they continue to push boundaries and bring innovative storytelling to the screen.