Mitr, My Friend (2002)

Lakshmi married young and moved from a traditional home in India to the United States with her husband. Years later her life revolves around the house, her husband is absorbed in work and her teenage daughter, raised in American ways, is pulling away from her. Feeling invisible, she begins chatting online under a different name, and the anonymous friendship that develops gives her the courage to look at her life and herself afresh. Mitr, My Friend is the directorial debut of the actress Revathi, filmed in English and set among Indian immigrants in America. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in English, and Shobana won the National Award for Best Actress for her quietly moving performance. The music is by Bhavatharini, daughter of Ilaiyaraaja.