Karen Kshiti Suvarna, 22, Among Youngest Indians To Debut At Cannes

India-West News Desk

BENGALURU – The debut feature from 22-year-old Indian writer-director Karen Kshiti Suvarna, will have its world premiere on May 16 at the Palais Theatre during the Marché du Film at the 79th Cannes Film Festival.

Shot in Hindi and Kannada, the drama explores Alzheimer’s disease through the strained relationship between a father and son. The story follows a father living with dementia who believes his wife is quarantined next door because of COVID-19. His estranged son returns home and must choose between personal ambition and family responsibility.

Suvarna said the film focuses on the emotional burden carried by families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s. “The struggles faced by caregivers are much greater than the struggles faced by Alzheimer’s patients,” she said.

She added that silence and restraint were central to the storytelling. “I wanted the audience to feel that silence and emotional weight,” Suvarna said.

Actor Pravin Singh Sisodia plays the father. The cast also includes Priyanka Upendra, Zarina Wahab, Ajith Shidhaye and Amit Behl.

The film is produced by Visica Films, FMD Productions and HumaraMovie in association with Filmsmax. It has been endorsed by the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India. HumaraMovie, partnered by Preety Ali, wife of filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, has previously backed festival titles Follower and Tortoise Under the Earth.