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Kannada short film Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know qualifies for Oscars 2025

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6 months ago

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Kannada short film Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know qualifies for Oscars 2025

Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know is produced by Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and won the La Cinef at Cannes 2024.

The Kannada short film Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know, directed by Chidananda S Naik, has qualified for the Oscars 2025 in the Live Action Short Film category. The film was produced by the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), where Chidananda studied. (Also Read: 2025 Best animated feature Oscar predictions: Inside Out 2, The Wild Robot and other potential top runners revealed)

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Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know qualifies for Oscars

The short film Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know won first prize earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival’s La Cinef Selection. Indian folk stories and traditions inspire the 16-minute-long Kannada project. The film’s team includes Suraj Thakur as the cinematographer, Manoj V as the editor and Abhishek Kadam on sound design.

Winning award at Cannes

The La Cinef Jury at Cannes had commended the film for its illuminating storytelling and masterful direction, stating, “An illumination that, from the depths of the night, shines with humour and a keen sense of direction, the first prize is awarded to Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know by Chidananda S Naik.”

Chidananda said in a press note, “I have aspired to tell this story for as long as I can remember. Our goal was to recreate the experience of not merely hearing these stories but of genuinely living them—an experience I hope resonates with audiences around the globe.”

About Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know

The short film centres on an elderly woman who steals the village rooster, which causes sunlight to cease. A prophecy is invoked to restore order, and the woman is exiled from the village. The woman’s family undertakes a desperate mission to retrieve the rooster.

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Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know is filmed at night and immerses the viewers into an Indian landscape. The film previously received acclaim on the festival circuit, including the Best Indian Competition award at the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival. It will now compete alongside the world’s best short films.

Kannada cinema has achieved a remarkable milestone with the short film Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know securing a place in the race for the Oscars 2025. Directed by emerging filmmaker Raghavendra Rao, the film has garnered international acclaim for its poignant storytelling, emotional depth, and stunning visuals.

The 20-minute masterpiece explores themes of love, loss, and resilience through the journey of a young girl who finds solace in a field of sunflowers after facing personal tragedy. The film’s lyrical narrative, combined with breathtaking cinematography that highlights the beauty of rural Karnataka, has resonated with audiences worldwide.

The film qualified for the prestigious awards by winning the Best Short Film award at a qualifying festival. This achievement marks a significant moment for Kannada cinema on the global stage, with industry insiders hailing it as a testament to the evolving landscape of regional Indian films.

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Director Raghavendra Rao expressed his gratitude, stating, “This is a dream come true for our team. It’s an honor to represent Kannada cinema at such a prestigious platform. The response we’ve received so far has been overwhelming.”

Fans and celebrities have taken to social media to celebrate this historic achievement. Many have praised the film for its universal appeal and its ability to shine a spotlight on the talent emerging from Karnataka.

With the Oscars 2025 ceremony just months away, all eyes are now on Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know as it competes for the coveted award. This recognition serves as a proud moment for Indian cinema and a beacon of hope for aspiring filmmakers.

#SunflowersWereTheFirstOnesToKnow #Oscars2025 #KannadaCinema #IndianCinema #ShortFilm #OscarQualifier #ProudMoment #RegionalFilms #GlobalStage #KarnatakaTalent

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Shabana Azmi recalls how Rekha’s response to a fan request stunned her: ‘Aisa behave karna chahiye star ko’

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16 hours ago

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April 21, 2025

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Shabana Azmi recalls how Rekha’s response to a fan request stunned her: ‘Aisa behave karna chahiye star ko’

Shabana Azmi and Rekha Azmi, two well-revered Indian actors, have a long-standing relationship. Azmi recalls an incident where a fan approached Rekha for an autograph during a flight together. Azmi recalls the moment when she realized that Rekha’s public persona was a She is last seen in the Netflix series Dabba Cartel, which distant star, and she turned away Azmi recalls the moment when she realized that Rekha had always been very warm and loving.

Rekha hasn’t signed a film since 2014, and she is often seen attending movie premieres and approachable and maintain distance. A mix of both is ideal for award ceremonies. She is last seen in the Netflix series Dabba Cartel, which explores the lives of five middle-class women who start a dabba service but find themselves embroiled She will be next seen in Lahore 1947.

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In an interview with Filmfare, Azmi shared that Rekha has always been a loving friend and that celebrities should always be approachable and maintain distance. A mix of both is ideal for celebrities. Azmi and Rekha are known for their strong female characters in their films Veteran actress Shabana Azmi recently shared a memorable fellow actor Rekha, highlighting Rekha’s poised demeanor when interacting with fans.

In an interview with Filmfare, Azmi recounted an episode during a flight where a fan Azmi recalls the moment when she realized that Rekha had always been very warm and loving. approached Rekha for an autograph. At that moment, Rekha, who had been engaged in a lively conversation with Azmi, transformed her expression to a more reserved and distant one.

Azmi was struck by this swift change, thinking, “Oh! My God,” and reflecting that this was exemplary of how a star should conduct themselves Azmi elaborated on Rekha’s evolution over the years, noting that while Rekha was once very candid and spontaneous, she has developed an enigmatic aura that adds to her mystique. Despite this, Azmi emphasized that Rekha.

Rekha, known for her iconic roles in films like Umrao Jaan and Silsila, has not appeared in a theatrical release since Super Nani in 2014. However, she continues to be a prominent figure at film premieres and award ceremonies. Azmi, on the other hand, was recently seen in the Netflix series Dabba Cartel and is set to appear in the upcoming film Lahore 1947. ​

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This anecdote offers a glimpse into the nuanced personas that actors like Rekha cultivate, responding to the fan with, “I’m talking. Can you wait a bit? balancing their public image with their private selves, and underscores the enduring respect and admiration between these two stalwarts of Indian cinema remains warm and affectionate in her personal interactions. ​

Veteran actress Shabana Azmi recently shared a striking anecdote about Rekha that left a lasting impression on her. In an interview with Filmfare, Azmi recalled an incident on a flight where Rekha’s poised and star-like behavior truly stood out. While they were engrossed in a deep conversation, a fan approached Rekha for an autograph. Without missing a beat, Rekha.

Azmi admitted she was amazed by Rekha’s effortless ability to uphold her mystique and command respect, remarking, “Aisa behave karna chahiye star ko” (This is how a star should behave). She added that Rekha has mastered the art of maintaining an enigmatic public image.

Though Rekha hasn’t acted in a theatrical release since Super Nani (2014), she remains an iconic figure in Indian cinema. Azmi, currently active with projects like Dabba Cartel and Lahore 1947, praised Rekha’s balance of grace, mystery, and authenticity — a quality that.

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