Narrated by Khatija Rahman, ‘Stardust’ shines light on vanishing fireflies-OxBig News Network

For a fleeting fortnight each year, the dense rainforests of the Anamalai in Tamil Nadu are transformed into a realm of bioluminescent magic. As the jungle darkens, it bursts into a silent symphony of light — millions of fireflies synchronising their flashes in one of the most enchanting natural phenomena one can witness. It is this rare and ephemeral spectacle that Stardust, a short film narrated by musician Khatija Rahman and directed by conservation filmmaker Pravin Shanmughanandam, seeks to capture and celebrate.

Unfolding over three years of painstaking fieldwork, Stardust is more than just a visual treat. It is a gentle reminder of the worlds that thrive silently around us and a call to reconnect with the rhythms of nature that modern life has taught us to ignore.

A subject of wonder

“For those of us growing up near the foothills, fireflies were always part of our childhood memories,” says Pravin, who hails from the region and is also the founder of The Pollachi Papyrus. “But somewhere along the way, because of light pollution, habitat loss or just not looking, we forgot them.”

That collective forgetting made their rediscovery all the more poignant. “When we first sighted this mass congregation, it was utterly mesmerising. We didn’t even know how to react or what to do with our cameras. It was only in the second year that we returned with a plan, better equipped and technically prepared to document them in such low-light conditions.”

Photographing in absolute darkness, and without using flashlights to avoid disturbing the insects, meant operating equipment by touch and relying on muscle memory. Occasionally, an infrared torch provided just enough visibility to frame a shot. 

A story through light

But Stardust is not a scientific documentary. Instead, it takes a lyrical approach. Its visuals interspersed with a gentle, introspective narration by Khatija, composer AR Rahman’s daughter. Known for her work in music and cinema, Khatija found herself drawn to the project for personal reasons.

“The title ‘fireflies’ caught my eye immediately,” she says. “My debut film album is also called Minmini, so this felt like a beautiful, full-circle moment. A few years ago, I went on a boat ride in Malaysia with family to see fireflies, and now here I was, giving voice to a film about them.”

Khatija’s voiceover session was, by her own account, simple and intuitive. “Pravin was very clear about the tone and layers he wanted. The brief was specific, and I tried different modulations under his guidance. The final blending of the narration came as a lovely surprise.”

Her voice becomes a conduit for the film’s deeper message: that conservation begins with connection. “You can’t conserve what doesn’t inspire you,” Pravin says. “Fireflies are fragile indicators of ecological balance. But instead of lecturing, we wanted to evoke wonder, especially in children who’ve never seen them. That’s what Stardust hopes to do.”

Stills from ‘Starust’
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Collaboration for care

The partnership between Pravin’s team and Khatija extended beyond the studio. “They showed me shots, shared a beautiful calendar, and explained their earlier work,” she recalls. “There’s so much passion in what they do. I truly hope Stardust finds its way to bigger platforms; it deserves to.”

Her work on the film has also inspired new artistic ambitions. “I’d love to do more voiceovers and even score for documentaries like this. It’s fulfilling and healing. There’s a certain purity in working on something so closely tied to nature.”

Pravin, too, speaks of a changed perspective after the years-long journey. “We’re so busy developing and progressing that we’ve stopped noticing what we’re losing. These fireflies have likely congregated for centuries, but only recently have they been studied and documented. We must remain alert and open. Nature still holds countless secrets.”

Currently, local tribal communities like the Kadars and Malasars, many of whom are employed by the Forest Department, assist with field research. Pravin hopes their roles will grow as dedicated conservation programmes emerge. “They know these forests intimately. They can play a vital part in protecting what’s left.”

At its core, Stardust is about illumination. Not just of the fireflies, but of the inner light each of us carries, as Khatija reflects. “I hope people see in this film the message that we should take care of Nature as it’s a gift from God to human beings. If we neglect Nature, it will quietly leave us, just like the species we’ve already lost.”