About
Shalin Shah, an ambitious USC graduate, leaves behind his loving Indian American family and devoted girlfriend, Fiona, to pursue his dream of making a difference as a Peace Corps volunteer. However, his life takes a devastating turn when a check-up for a lingering cough reveals a shocking diagnosis: a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Forced to return home and undergo treatment, Shalin confronts the fundamental question: what
is the true meaning of life when faced with limited time? Based on a true story, PAPER FLOWERS is a poignant and inspirational journey of love, loss, and hope. It serves as a roadmap to cherish the moments we have and to remember to stop and enjoy every sunset. Based on a true story.
LOGLINE
THE MAKERS
THE MAKERS
When suddenly faced with a rare form of cancer, a young man embarks on a transformative journey of gratitude, inspiring loved ones and strangers with his unwavering spirit and viral manifesto that challenges the world to find beauty in every sunset.
Based on a true story
IN A NUTSHELL, “Fault in Our Stars” meets “The Big Sick.”
GENRE: Inspirational. Drama.
RUNTIME: 100 minutes.
FROM: USA
AWARDS
"The Social Impact & Vision" - The Ojai Film Fest
"Best of Fest" - Palm Springs Int FF
"Best Film" - Chandler Film Fest
"Independent Spirit" - Sedona Film Fest
"Best Actor" - SAIFF, Tampa
"Best Film" - Rung Film Fest, Houston
"Audience Award" - San Luis Obispo FF
THE MAKERS
THE MAKERS
THE MAKERS
DIRECTOR:
Mahesh Pailoor
PRODUCER:
Asit Vyas
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS:
Asit & Mita Vyas, Santosh Govindaraju
CINEMATOGRAPHER:
Aakash Raj
WRITERS:
Mary Krell-Oishi, Mahesh Pailoor
PRODUCTION DESIGNER:
Carlee Wyman
EDITOR:
Cary Lin
COSTUME DESIGNERS:
AMANDA Massi, Taj Jackson
CO-PRODUCER:
Brandon Miree
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER:
Naman Gupta
COMPOSER:
Kristin Øhrn Dyrud
CASTING DIRECTOR:
Emily Schweber CSA
CAST
Kapil Talwalkar
Kapil Talwalkar
Kapil Talwalkar
Known for: Night Court, The Loud House, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.
Olivia Liang
Kapil Talwalkar
Kapil Talwalkar
Known for: Kung Fu, Legacies, Grey's Anatomy.
Karan Soni
Kapil Talwalkar
Tom E. Scott
Known for: Deadpool, Spiderman, A Nice Indian Boy.
Tom E. Scott
Kapil Talwalkar
Tom E. Scott
Known for: Because I Said So, That Thing You Do, Rockbottom.
Faran Tahir
Anita Kalathara
Meera Simhan
Known for: Iron Man,
Star Trek, Coup.
Meera Simhan
Anita Kalathara
Meera Simhan
Known for: Four Samosas,
Iron Man, Miss India America.
West Liang
Anita Kalathara
Anita Kalathara
Known for: Big Sky, Blue Eye Samurai, Silent River.
Anita Kalathara
Anita Kalathara
Anita Kalathara
Known for: Grey's Anatomy, Doom Patrol, India Sweets & Spices.
Director
BIO:
Mahesh Pailoor is an award-winning Los Angeles–based filmmaker whose work explores South Asian and Indian American identity. Raised in Maine by immigrant parents, his films have screened at SXSW, Cannes Lions, and the Smithsonian. He directed and co-wrote Brahmin Bulls and has helmed episodes of The Blacklist and S.W.A.T. His latest feature, Paper Flowers, is inspired by the viral article “Thank You, Cancer.”
NOTE:
Paper Flowers is ultimately a film about gratitude. When I first read Shalin Shah’s essay “Thank You, Cancer,” I was struck by his humility and clarity in the face of mortality. This film became an effort to honor that gift—exploring how we choose to live, love, and appreciate our time. Grounded and ensemble-driven, the film reflects both Shalin’s spiritual journey and the lives he profoundly inspired.
Producer
BIO:
Asit Vyas is a Los Angeles–based producer and entrepreneur whose career spans acting, restaurant franchises, and independent filmmaking. A former Burger King and Pizza Hut franchisee, he studied filmmaking at San José State University and produced the Bollywood feature Zara Si Bhool (A Small Mistake), now on Amazon Prime. A UCLA Producers Program graduate, he is currently leading the distribution of his second feature, Paper Flowers.
NOTE:
Shalin Shah, my distant family member, was a 22-year-old whose response to a terminal cancer diagnosis inspired many, including me. Embracing life with love, purpose, and gratitude, he shared messages such as “Thank you, Cancer” and “Sunset for Shalin,” which quickly resonated with people around the world. His perspective transformed how friends, family, and strangers viewed life, and his enduring legacy lives on through the film Paper Flowers.
SCREENING INFO
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After a successful run at 26 film festivals worldwide, university screenings including USC, and a one-week Oscar-qualifying theatrical run at Laemmle NoHo 7 in Hollywood,
Paper Flowers is coming to theaters nationwide this summer.