Entertainment
Omlo: Rajasthan’s Breakthrough Film Heads to Cannes Market 2025
Omlo Selected for Cannes Film Market 2025
Rajasthan’s vibrant cinematic culture is making waves globally with the selection of Omlo, a Rajasthani-language feature film, at the Marché du Film (Cannes Film Market) 2025. Directed by Sonu Randeep Choudhury, this social drama has become a symbol of Rajasthan’s regional voice reaching global platforms.
The film, produced by Neha Pandey, Manish Goplani, Rohit Makhija, and the director himself, portrays the harsh realities of domestic abuse and patriarchy through the eyes of a young boy and a camel.
🎭 What is Omlo About?
The story follows Omlo, a 7-year-old boy in a remote village of Shri Dungargarh, Bikaner. His only companion is a camel, who like him, endures brutal beatings and emotional neglect in a deeply patriarchal household. The boy is raised by an abusive father, and the camel is merely a beast of burden to the family.
Through the metaphor of shared pain between child and animal, the film raises a powerful message about neglect, survival, and quiet rebellion.
🎥 Cast & Crew
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Lead Actor: Shambho Mahajan as Omlo
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Supporting Cast: Sonali Sharmistha, Deva Sharma, Mahesh Jilowa
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Director & Writer: Sonu Randeep Choudhury
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Cinematographer: Wilson Rabinse
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Music: Gazi Khan Barna, Bhuvan Ahuja
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Score: Devendra Bhome
🌐 Why Cannes Market Matters
Omlo’s entry to the Cannes Film Market means that it will be showcased to international buyers, festival curators, and distributors during May 13–24, 2025. Though not a part of the main competition, the inclusion in the Marché du Film represents a major leap for Rajasthani-language cinema.
It also opens the doors for theatrical and OTT releases abroad — especially in regions with large Indian diaspora audiences.
📷 Visual & Cinematic Appeal
Shot entirely on location in Shri Dungargarh, the cinematography captures the raw, sun-scorched landscape of rural Rajasthan. The color palette is earthy, muted, and haunting — amplifying the themes of isolation and emotional suffocation.
The music, drawn from traditional Manganiyar folk, blends seamlessly with the scenes, adding depth to the silence and sorrow depicted on screen.
🎤 What the Creators Say
Director Sonu Randeep Choudhury shared,
“Omlo is not just a story about abuse, but about breaking cycles of trauma. The boy and the camel are symbols of anyone who has suffered in silence.”
Producer Neha Pandey adds,
“Regional cinema is the future. With Omlo, we wanted to tell a local story with global emotions.”
🎯 Cultural Significance
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Represents Rajasthan’s first major Cannes presence
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Advocates animal rights and child safety
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Revives Rajasthani-language storytelling in mainstream Indian cinema
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Bridges folk music and arthouse filmmaking
🔍 Final Thoughts
In a landscape dominated by Hindi blockbusters and OTT thrillers, Omlo emerges as a breath of fresh air — intimate, poetic, and powerfully local. Its Cannes selection marks a pivotal moment for regional filmmakers across India.
Expect the film to hit festival circuits globally before releasing on Indian and international OTT platforms later this year.
