April 25, 2026 at 3:30:00 PM
AFS Cinema
Texas Premiere
P For Paparazzi
India | Short
2024 | 27 mins | Hindi, Maithili
Shown as part of the Saturday shorts program
Jury Award for Best Editing (Short Documentary) - 16th IDSFFK 2024
Dharamshala International Film Festival 2024
International Film Festival of India 2024, Goa
Amidst the chaos of flashing lights and crazy crowds, Manoj, an established paparazzi from Nepal, faces off against fellow photographers in a high-stakes race to capture the most sensational photos. Despite his years of experience and connections with celebrities ranging from Boney Kapoor to Alia Bhatt, Manoj confronts the harsh reality of his brother's deteriorating health.
As Manoj navigates the blurry nights of Mumbai during Diwali, his encounters with celebrities offer glimpses into the glitz and glamour but also highlight the human side behind the fame. With each click of the camera, Manoj grapples with the moral dilemmas of his profession and the weight of his brother's fate hanging in the balance. Will Manoj's connections and perseverance be enough to secure the funds needed for his brother's treatment, or will it be a solitary battle of survival?
Restoration Process
Film restoration process
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Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation
About the Artist
Divya Kharnare is a filmmaker with over eight years of experience across fiction and feature-length documentaries. He began his career at Marathi digital platform BhaDiPa, directing comedy sketches, music videos, and non-fiction content, before moving into independent filmmaking. His documentaries- 15 Seconds A Lifetime, P for Paparazzi, and Letters to My Grandma have premiered at festivals including IFFI, DIFF, NYIFF, and IDSFFK, earning awards such as the DOC Aviv Award and multiple jury mentions.
A Direction graduate from Film & Television Institute of India, Divya has worked across international labs and productions, including the Kyoto Filmmakers Lab, DOC NYC Storytelling Incubator, Doc Edge Kolkata, Amazon Original Love Storiyaan, and MAMI Select 2025. He is currently developing his debut fiction feature and a non-fiction feature in post-production, exploring socially rooted stories with touches of magic realism.
Trailer
For English subtitles, make sure to turn on the YouTube closed captions.
Credits
Director:
Divya Kharnare
Writer:
Pranav Patil
Divya Kharnare
Producer(s):
Rajiv Mehrotra
Yugandhar Salvi
Film Editor:
Pranav Patil
Manoj Mahara
Jafar Khan
Manohar Mahara