Nayanthara's Co-Production Pebbles Wins Tiger Award At Rotterdam Film Festival

Nayanthara- Vignesh Shivan's co-production Pebbles wins Tiger Award: Actor Nayanthara and her filmmaker boyfriend Vignesh Shivan's upcoming Tamil film Koozhangal (Pebbles in English) has won the top prize, the Tiger Award for best film, at the 50th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR).

The production house is all proud😇 Winning moments #TigerAward 2021 @IFFR @Rowdy_Pictures @VigneshShivN pic.twitter.com/LX7j8k2AzU

— Nayanthara✨ (@NayantharaU) February 7, 2021

Directed by Vinothraj PS, Pebbles is the first Tamil film to win this prestigious honour: Pebbles Wins Tiger Award.

In the middle of this dreary pandemic, a proud moment for Indian cinema at large and Tamil cinema in particular. Congratulations on the Rotterdam win to @PsVinothraj #Nayanthara @VigneshShivN and @thecutsmaker for #Koozhangal #Pebbles https://t.co/iR0Vs7ehZe

— Anna MM Vetticad (@annavetticad) February 7, 2021

"Feeling emotional!!! Pebbles won the Tiger Award 2021. Our Hardwork, patience & Dream finally came true.Thank you all for your love and support," an elated Vinothraj tweeted.

Feeling emotional!!!Pebbles won the Tiger Award 2021. Our Hardwork, patience & Dream finally came true.Thank you all for your love and support.@IFFR @IFFRPRO @filmbazaarindia @VigneshShivN #Nayanthara @Rowdy_Pictures @AmudhavanKar @thecutsmaker @ParthiBDOP https://t.co/KSlvp44QtY

— Vinothraj PS (@PsVinothraj) February 7, 2021

Pebbles premiered at the festival on Thursday. "The jury was blown away by a seemingly simple and humble film we fell in love with instantly," the Rotterdam jury said in a statement about the film which is set in the southern Tamil Nadu region and follows the lives of an alcoholic abusive husband, a survivor wife and their son.

The jury further described the film as “a lesson in pure cinema.”

In a celebratory video, Vignesh Shivan talked about why he and Nayanthara had chosen to present this film. “The film’s premise is as simple as the title but created an exquisitely lovable impact within. Koozhangal didn’t steal our attention for a spellbinding performance of new actors and technical crew but stirred our souls with the adorable background score by Yuvan Shankar Raja. "

Shivan further added, "Such an experience instantly instilled in us the excitement to not just present the film theatrically, but also take it to international film festivals and take over the entire production as well. We are proud to present this film for you in the hope that it will make an impact on you as well."

This is the second production venture of Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan, and is also the second Indian film to win this award. The couple had recently produced Tamil thriller Netrikann under their banner, Rowdy Pictures. The film stars Nayanthara as a blind woman, who tries to catch a serial killer.

Feature Image Credit: Deccan Chronicle