Rani Sitaram’s 'Greytown Girl': a journey from inspiration to Cannes nomination

Rani Sitaram, who has been writing and producing documentaries and working within the film, television and media sector since 2000, is finally reaping the rewards of her hard work. Her movie, Greytown Girl, which she wrote and produced, has been nominated in the Indie Feature Film category at the 2025 Cannes Film Awards in France in June. Greytown Girl was directed by Oscar-nominated Darrell Roodt and made under the banner East Coast Media, a South African-based production company. In this Q & A, Sitaram spoke to Candice Soobramoney about the movie, the nomination and her work behind the scenes. 

Q: Tell me about the real-life story of the couple who form the basis of Greytown Girl and why were you inspired by their story?

A: Greytown Girl is a true story about the lives of Meena Rani Gerus and Edward Gerus. In the film, Meena (played by Sanam Sitaram) is a small town South African girl, who is born disabled through forceps delivery. She is abandoned and bravely creates a life for herself at an orphanage. When she is able to walk independently, she returns to her parental home. A new family, a language and culture that is foreign to her, she courageously finds her new normal. 

Meena’s father Veer (Jack Devnarain) teaches her to read from glossy magazines, where she discovers pen pals. She then excitedly writes to friends all over the world. Just one writes back, her American pen pal Eddie Gibson (Emmanuel Castis)

He is so deeply-impacted by her letters, that he changes his previously superficial view of the world. Eddie is so enamoured by this strong woman from another continent, whom he has never seen, that he chooses Meena over all else. Through the romance of letter writing, daringly, Meena and Eddie fall in love, even when it seems they will never be destined to be together. Eventually Meena is teased by the choice of a new life with the man she loves, only to realise that her choices have consequences. This is an empowering cinematic story of love and resilience.

Q: Having been inspired by Meena Rani Gerus's real life story, at what stage did you realise you wanted to adapt her story for the big screen? 

A: Greytown Girl, the movie, was born from a promise I made and had to keep. On the day of my wedding, a dear friend of my mother’s dressed me. Looking at myself, I couldn’t believe how beautiful this young woman in the reflection was. I asked my aunt how I could say thank you. She responded with “Don’t worry, one day you will do something for me”. She kept her word.

She called me a few years later after my husband, Vikash Sitaram, and I had started our film and media company, East Coast Media. She asked me to meet with her niece Meena and that I should tell her story. I was sceptical at first until I met Meena. Meena and her story changed me at a soul level, and I made her a promise that I had to keep. I made the movie, Greytown Girl.

Q: How did Greytown Girl do at the box office since its global premiere at SunCoast Cinecentre in September last year? 

A: It went on to do 12 successful weeks on the national cinema circuit.

Greytown Girl has since received the following laurels and awards from around the globe: Winner for Best Feature Film (Los Angeles Movie and Music Awards); it received official mention at the Around International Film Festival in  Barcelona; and it received official selection at the  New York Film and Cinematography Awards. 

Q: How does a nomination for the 2025 Cannes Film Awards work?

A: Producers submit films to various festivals around the globe that are appropriate to the film's genre. Once the films are assessed and selected by festival management, the film receives a nomination. After a voting process, the film stands a chance to win. Greytown Girl was nominated for Best Indie Feature. 

Q: When and where were you when you received the news?

A: I was working on my laptop when I received the email. The first thing that went through my mind was that Meena’s life and her gentle soul has been acknowledged and loved throughout the world. That gave me a deep sense of peace and achievement. 

Q: When will the winner be announced?

A: Winners will be announced at the awards at the Variétés Movie Theatre in France on June 14. 

Q: Are you working on any other projects? 

A: I am currently in development on feature films and series in popular genres. Watch this space. 

Q: Tell me more about Rani Sitaram. 

A: I was born in Durban and raised in a beautiful coastal enclave on Tongaat Beach. I matriculated from Gandhi Desai High School and went on to study at UKZN, but completed my Master's in business strategy at the Business School Netherlands and I am a NUFFIC Fellow. 

I accumulated other professional qualifications in marketing and film along my journey. My passion is writing. The words on the page come through me and not from me. Scripts are almost channelled from a higher source. I also love the art of business and therefore the business of film in producing appeals to my left brain. 

I believe in the oneness of the universe and it was my dream to create content with global appeal that inspires, entertains and impacts audiences on a level of the soul. I am grateful to have achieved my dream with Greytown Girl, but the best is yet to come.

Q: Are you involved with any projects that take movie making to communities?

A: At East Coast Media we prioritise upskilling and empowering South African talent and aspiring South African filmmakers. All our learners, both able-bodied and those living with disabilities from various communities of the country, gain invaluable experience on our productions. We prioritise our communities being part of our productions. South Africans have a unique voice with so many stories yet untold to the world. These pearls of beauty come only from our communities, who will continue to be an integral part of our films.

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