By S.N. Venkatnag Sobers
City Film Director Chidananda S. Naik’s path to National Film Award
He is one among the upcoming film-makers in the country. Having completed his MBBS from Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMC&RI), he chose a different avenue to build a career. While his fellow classmates chose to hold stethoscope as doctors, the youngster we are talking about joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune to realise his dream of becoming a film-maker.
Meet Dr. Chidananda S. Naik, son of Prof. R. Shekhara Naik, Head, Department of Food Sciences and Nutrition, Yuvaraja’s College, Mysuru and Vinoda Bai couple, residents of Kuvempunagar. His younger brother, Nagananda S. Naik, is employed at a MNC in Bengaluru.
Dr. Chidananda Naik has made news by winning the National Award for ‘Best Script’ for his directorial short movie ‘Sunflowers were the first ones to know…’ He had won the first prize in La Cinef section for Best Short Film at the 77th Cannes Film Festival last year. The short film had also qualified for the 97th Academy Awards (Oscar Award) in the Live Action Short Film category in 2024.
Star of Mysore caught up with Dr. Chidananda Naik to know more about his journey from a Medical Institute to Film Institute. Excerpts…
Star of Mysore (SOM): Having studied MBBS, what made you choose a career in film-making?
Dr. Chidananda Naik: I had never thought of becoming a film- maker. Watching a good movie used to make my day. Like every other child, I had minimum exposure to films and was watching them on televisions, movie theatres and VCDs. I used to be fascinated by movie posters stuck on the walls. When I was a part of Chinnara Mela summer camp at Rangayana, they made us watch ‘Dreams,’ a movie directed by Akira Kurosawa which inspired me a lot. However, I did not pursue much at that time. My parents were strict and disconnected cable TV connection during my 11th and 12th class days. Later, I developed a hobby of watching movies and started liking it not as a mere movie but I got connected to them emotionally. I started watching the interviews of actors and film-makers and the movies they were referring to; that is how I developed my interest in film-making.
SOM: How did your family react when you told them about your interest in movies?
Dr. Chidananda Naik: Firstly, my family thought I would pursue my career in films for a short period as break after I had completed my MBBS. Obviously, they were worried as we do not come from film background or know anybody from the fraternity. It was leap of faith. When I attended workshops by Girish Kasaravalli and others, I got to know about FTII and tried my luck to get into the institute. If I had failed, I would have still made a career in film-making by working as assistant to one of the Directors. I didn’t want to regret later of not trying to fulfill my dream. Now, things are looking good and my family is happy with the results so far.
SOM: Do you miss practicing medicine unlike your peers?
Dr. Chidananda Naik: Definitely yes. I am missing it every single day. After all, I have put so many years into studying medicine. Though I am not practicing now, whenever I get time I want to assist my friends in Operation Theatres to stay in touch with the profession. It is something which I am deeply connected and want to pursue.
SOM: What are your reasons to make independent movies and not commercial films?
Dr. Chidananda Naik: For a person to establish himself in the industry is not easy. There is a lot of struggle one has to go through which I have. I will stick on to my roots as I have grown up watching our kind of movies. Even today, I like going with friends to watch movies in theatres. For me, having the right balance between independent movies and mainstream movies are most important. People should watch movies in theatres. I strongly believe that movies should not be made only for commercial gains, rather it should connect with people emotionally.
SOM: How did ‘Sunflowers…..’ happen?
Dr. Chidananda Naik: ‘Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know’ was my final year diploma project at FTII. At the time of our joining we will get to know about our project. I was joined by one of my batchmates Manoj, also a Kannadiga, and we both decided to make a Kannada movie. During our brainstorming sessions, we decided to make ‘Sunflowers…’
SOM: Did you expect the short- film to achieve such a huge success?
Dr. Chidananda Naik: For me, Cannes was always a dream. Some of my favourite Directors like Quentin Tarantino, who have been successful in mainstream movies, have all started from Cannes Film Festival. The kind of response I got was tremendous. I had never thought foreign audience would applaud a Kannada short-film.
SOM: What was your initial reaction when your name was announced for National Film Awards?
Dr. Chidananda Naik: I was working on another film of mine when one of my friends texted me a congratulatory message and that is when I realised that ‘Sunflowers…’ had won a National award. I was worried that when the film was not available in the public domain, how would it be recognised here. But I am happy that the Government of India has recognised our efforts and selected ‘Sunflowers…’ for the National Award.
This post was published on August 22, 2025 6:10 pm