Star Hero’s 17-Yr Daughter Debuts In Style!

Generally, star heroes prefer to keep their sons and daughters in educational streams at least till their mid 20s. This is a conscious decision to keep them away from the challenging world of cinema making, which can be hard on youngsters.

However, that’s not the case if we look at Suriya and Jyotika’s daughter Diya has made a remarkable entry into cinema at just 17. She has directed a short film titled Leading Light, marking her directorial debut.

Unlike many star kids who step in front of the camera, Diya chose to work behind it, focusing on a subject that is rarely highlighted.

Leading Light is a 13-minute docu-drama that tells the inspiring stories of Bollywood’s women gaffers Hetall Deddhia, Priyanka Singh, and Leena Gangurde. Gaffers are lighting technicians, a field usually dominated by men.

The film shows their struggles, determination, and how they broke stereotypes to succeed in this tough profession.

The short film is getting a prestigious opportunity as it is being screened at the Regency Theatre in Los Angeles from September 26 to October 2. This screening is part of an Oscar-qualifying run, which makes Leading Light eligible for consideration in the Best Documentary Short category at the 2026 Academy Awards.

Produced under Suriya and Jyotika’s banner, 2D Entertainment, the film has already drawn attention. Both proud parents shared their joy, saying the project shines a light on unsung women technicians in cinema.