The Story is of Khadima; tha craft is by Govind
Janmabhumi
Sunday magazine writeup in Malayalam language on Janmabhumi, a Malayalam National Daily about Govind K. Saji, a filmmaker from Kerala. His career transitioned from an IT sales in Bangalore to filmmaking after a chance meeting with director Blessy, eventually earning a Film Master's degree from NYFA Los Angeles and securing a Gold Rising Internship at the Oscar Academy. His thesis film Khadima — a 14-minute short about domestic workers trapped in the Gulf's Kafala system — was inspired by stories his father, a former Indian Labour Commission member. The film has since won 11 awards across international film festivals, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actress.
Khadima: Cinema that Confronts the Reality of Migrant Labour
Desi Narrative
Janaki is a khadima, a domestic worker from South India employed in the Persian Gulf. She is ensnared in the kafala system. The short film Khadima, directed by Govind K. Saji, powerfully portrays her ordeal and exposes the enduring pains of this entrenched labour practice.
Khadima: A Review of the Short Film (Tamil Article)
Porul Puthithu
A Tamil language-review of the award-winning short film 'Khadima: The Caregiver' by Govind K. Saji, highlighting its global impact in drawing attention to the injustices and exploitation faced by domestic workers under the 'Kafala' labor contract system in the Middle East.
Khadima: A Pitiful Domestic Worker
Porul Puthithu
Govind K. Saji, a young filmmaker from Kerala, has produced a short film aimed at drawing global attention to the injustices inherent in the 'Kafala' labor contract system prevalent in the Middle East.
Interview with Voyage LA
Voyage LA Magazine
Govind shares his journey from an engineer in India to an award-winning filmmaker in Los Angeles. He discusses his transition into narrative filmmaking, his experiences at NYFA, and his current work as a creative producer.
Directorial Work: Khadima
YouTube Feature
A look into the making of 'Khadima - The Caregiver'. This project highlights Govind's ability to tell compelling, socially relevant stories through a unique visual lens.
Behind the Scenes
YouTube Feature
An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Govind's filmmaking process. Witness the collaboration, technical expertise, and creative direction that goes into bringing a vision to life.