THE WASHINGTON ARTS REVIEW

Culture. Cinema. Conscience.
July 2025 | International Feature
Title: India’s Truth-Teller: Kumar Raj Honored in National Book of Records
Byline: By Eliza Grant, Global Film Correspondent

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a cinematic world too often lost in fantasy, Indian filmmaker Kumar Raj has earned a place in history for doing the opposite — showing us the truth.
This month, Raj was officially included in India’s prestigious National Book of Records for his bold and emotionally arresting feature films “Ameena” and “TARA.” It’s a rare honor, typically reserved for pioneers in fields like science, literature, or national service. But this time, it went to a storyteller.
🎬 Ameena, his most recent film, depicts the harrowing journey of a young girl subjected to sexual harassment, systemic silence, and eventual tragedy. It’s a work that became painfully prophetic after a real-life incident in Odisha, India, where a 19-year-old college student took her own life after months of ignored pleas for help.

“We are not making films for applause,” Kumar Raj told The Washington Arts Review. “We are making films so people no longer die unheard.”
TARA, his earlier film, broke barriers in Indian cinema by spotlighting female resilience against crushing social odds. It went on to screen in over 250 international festivals — and remains one of the most widely distributed Indian independent films to date.
🎖️ Now, with this historic recognition from the National Book of Records, Kumar Raj’s work has moved from screen to legacy.
“He is not just a filmmaker,” said Dr. Julianne Rivers, professor of Global Cinema at Georgetown University. “He is a moral witness — documenting what many choose to ignore.”
At a time when global cinema often shies away from discomfort, Kumar Raj stands defiant — choosing purpose over popularity, message over market. His films are not easy to watch. They’re not meant to be.
They are meant to wake us up.
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📌 Ameena is currently screening at select international venues and streaming globally. Presenty in 70 th week all over India .
📌 TARA remains a staple at film festivals , universities and women’s rights symposiums worldwide.