Anija Jalan Stories

Anija Jalan’s journey into the world of photography began as a passion for capturing memories, but it soon evolved into a thriving career. Hailing from Kochi, Anija discovered her love for photography while pursuing a visual communication course at Maharaja Women’s College in Erode. Photography was an integral part of her curriculum, and she followed it with great zeal, eventually joining CM Developers in Kochi, where she honed her skills by creating brochures and promotional materials.

As she grew as a photographer, Anija ventured into wedding photography, with a significant portion of her work taking place in Dubai. The cultural environment there provided her with unique opportunities, particularly because many wedding ceremonies required women photographers to capture the intimate moments of the bride. Despite the challenges she faced when she returned to Kerala—where her presence in a male-dominated field was met with skepticism—Anija’s talent and determination helped her to break through the barriers and establish herself as a professional photographer.

Her work in still photography soon extended to the film industry, where she began with the Nivin Pauly-starrer 'Love Action Drama' and has since worked on five films. Anija’s fascination with cinema has now inspired her to take on new roles as a director and director of photography (DOP).

Anija's directorial debut came with 'Yosha', a musical documentary celebrating women’s empowerment. Released on Women’s Day in 2022, the project featured an all-woman crew and included appearances by prominent figures such as former health minister K K Shailaja, businesswoman Beena Kannan, and actors Lenaa and Sandra Thomas.