1/ 72-Page Booklet!

Mahesh Pailoor is an award winning filmmaker based in Los Angeles. Raised in a seaside town in Maine to immigrant Indian parents, Mahesh’s films often grapple with divergent notions of South Asian identity. His work has been championed at festivals and institutions, including SXSW, Cannes Lions and the Smithsonian. Pailoor directed and co-wrote the acclaimed independent feature film “Brahmin Bulls” which The New York Times praised as a “warm debut”. He has also directed multiple episodes of marquee shows like NBC’s “The Blacklist” and CBS’s “S.W.A.T.” showcasing his versatility across genres. Mahesh is an alumnus of the NBC Emerging Director Program, Disney’s TV Directing Program, Berlinale Talent Campus, and Film Independent’s Screenwriting Lab and Project:Involve. He is a graduate of NYU Tisch and earned an MFA in directing from the American Film Institute. Pailoor’s latest feature “Paper Flowers” is based on the viral Huffington Post article, “Thank You, Cancer” and captures an Indian American’s poetic meditation on mortality after a terminal cancer diagnosis, further representing an evolving diaspora experience. 

The challenge in making this film was how to convey those lofty ideas without becoming sanctimonious and overly sentimental. To that end, we worked hard on grounding the film and telling both Shalin’s spiritual journey as well as the journey his closest loved ones went on, inspired by him. As much as this is Shalin’s story, it is also an ensemble piece with an incredible cast lead by Kapil Talwalkar and Olivia Liang. Along with the cast, we had an equally incredible and passionate crew who dedicated their time and talent to the making of this film. 

I am so grateful for everyone who has come on this journey with us and I’m excited to share the film with audiences, helping to spread Shalin’s message of gratitude even further.  

Gratitude. That’s the one word that this film has taught me. I didn’t know Shalin Shah or his story when he passed away in 2015. It wasn’t until a few years later when Asit Vyas (producer) approached me to direct the film, that I first read Shalin’s op ed in the Huffington Post, “Thank You, Cancer.” What struck me, was Shalin’s humility and perspective in the face of mortality. We’re all going to die. That’s a given. But how we spend those days, who we spend those days with, and how we appreciate it all — that’s the real gift of life. That was the gift Shalin gave to me, from a 22 year old, wise beyond his years. 

The challenge in making this film was how to convey those lofty ideas without becoming sanctimonious and overly sentimental. To that end, we worked hard on grounding the film and telling both Shalin’s spiritual journey as well as the journey his closest loved ones went on, inspired by him. As much as this is Shalin’s story, it is also an ensemble piece with an incredible cast lead by Kapil Talwalkar and Olivia Liang. Along with the cast, we had an equally incredible and passionate crew who dedicated their time and talent to the making of this film. 

I am so grateful for everyone who has come on this journey with us and I’m excited to share the film with audiences, helping to spread Shalin’s message of gratitude even further.  

Asit Vyas is an entrepreneur with a journey that spans acting, restaurant franchises, and the world of cinema. He was a franchisee of Burger King restaurants in San Jose and Pizza Hut in Connecticut and Rhode Island. While building his career as a fast-food franchisee, he pursued his cinematic passion by studying filmmaking at SJSU. This led him to “Zara Si Bhool (A Small Mistake),” a Bollywood feature made in Hollywood, available on Amazon Prime. 

As his children headed off to college, he embraced a career shift. He sold his franchise business and completed UCLA’s prestigious Producer’s Program, reigniting his dedication to the entertainment industry. Today, he is actively engaged in the distribution of his second feature, “Paper Flowers.” While living in Los Angeles with his wife, he takes pride in parenting a son and daughter pursuing professional careers with their wonderful spouses. His journey embodies enduring passion, dedication, and a celebration of diversity, whether in restaurants, films, or cherished family moments.

In 2015, a young man filled with hope and love changed the world with phrases like “Thank you, Cancer” and “Sunset for Shalin.” Shalin Shah, 22, a promising relative of mine, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He soon not only accepted his diagnosis with grace but also helped his friends and family view life through a lens of positivity.

Living with love, purpose, and gratitude became his personal epiphany. Shalin shared this message with those close to him, and it quickly spread across the internet, becoming a viral sensation.

Shalin’s story, a testament to living each day fully, created a lasting ripple effect. His legacy, touching diverse walks of life, continues to inspire. Shalin’s last wish was to share his story worldwide, hoping to help people appreciate the beautiful gift of life a little more. I decided to do my part by making “Paper Flowers,” an inspiring film based on his true story.