Kamali says she wants to achieve something big in skateboarding.
A short film on the life of a single mother in India who sells fish and raises her 9-year-old daughter as a skateboarder has won top honours at the Atlanta Film Festival, raising hopes for an Academy Award for a yet another Indian story.
"Kamali", shot in the historic coastal town of Mahabalipuram outside Chennai, tells the story of Suganthi's fight against all odds to raise her daughter so she would become a skateboarder. It also focuses on Kamali's transformation after she takes up skateboarding and the hope it brings to her life.
After her marriage broke, 34-year-old Suganthi decided to educate and empower her daughter through skateboarding. It was her surfer brother's friend, a skateboarder himself, who gifted Kamali a skateboard that ushered a phase of gender equality at home.
After her marriage broke, 34-year-old Suganthi decided to educate and empower her daughter through skateboarding.
Sasha Rainbow, a New Zealand-born filmmaker now settled in London, had first traveled to India to feature Kamali and other skateboarding girls for the video of a song "Alpha Female" by a UK-based band Wild Beasts.
But it was the determination, grit and vision of Kamali's mother that fascinated Ms Rainbow, who returned to make this documentary and tell her story to the world.
"Kamali's story represents an incredible moment in India and shows how massive change can start with just one person. I believe Kamali's mother Suganthi and others like her are heroes who should be celebrated for her bravery. I believe skateboarding is a symbol of going against the grain, standing boldly in front of society and taking ownership of one's life," Ms Rainbow, the director of "Kamali", said.
Suganthi earns her living by selling ready-to-eat masala fish along the beach and is determined to transform Kamali's life through this sport on wheels.
Excited about the critical acclaim the film has received, Suganthi told NDTV, "My parents and the local community did not approve. They used to ask her life would be spoiled if she breaks her limbs. I want her to reach greater heights. She should not be like me with limited exposure."
Kamali is already an internet sensation. Aine Edwards, a Chennai-based Irish entrepreneur had connected her to Jamie Thomas, a celebrated international skateboarder. A picture of the training that he posted was shared by Tony Hawk, another professional skateboarder, that went viral on social media.
A picture of the training that he posted was shared by Tony Hawk, another professional skateboarder, that went viral on social media.
Aine Edwards said, "Sasha wants to build a larger skateboarding park in Mahabalipuram. If built, this would be a community place for all children and Kamali sure will inspire more girls to take up the sport".
Kamali, who's gearing up for class fifth now, said, "I am happy. I want to achieve something big in skateboarding".
The film had won the 'Best Director Award' at the Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival last year.
The film also qualifies for the 2020 Oscar shortlist. Many people at Mahabalipuram are hopeful the movie would win at the Oscar shortlist as well, just like Slumdog Millionaire.