The 2017 Oscars, like every year, was a glamorous affair and gave us plenty to talk about. From stunning performances to the Moonlight-La La Land faux pas for Best Picture - there were plenty of moments to relive.
But even amidst all of this, eight-year-old Indian child actor Sunny Pawar managed to make an impression and we're still gushing.
Sunny on the Red Carpet. Photo via The Academy/Instagram
Sunny debuted in the Dev Patel-starrer Lion as younger Saroo Brierley, the character played by Dev Patel. The film tells the real story of Saroo, who got lost and separated from his parents in Kolkata. He then gets adopted by an Australian couple and uses Google Earth to find his parents.
Dressed in a black suit and sporting a stylish hairstyle, Sunny clicked lots of photos with Hollywood celebrities including singer Nicole Scherzinger and actors Andrew Garfield and Samuel Jackson, among others.
Andrew Garfield in TOM FORD poses with Sunny Pawar at the Oscars 2017. #TOMFORD #Oscars pic.twitter.com/lpf8B1pajh
— TOM FORD (@TOMFORD) February 27, 2017
Screenshot via nicolescherzy/Instagram
Screenshot via samueljackson/Instagram
Screenshot via edgarramirez/Instagram
He also gave adorable interviews with a little translation help from a man who was with him.
The Mumbai-born child star was also seen sharing some endearing moments with Lion co-star Dev Patel as well.
Sunny also stirred a bit of a controversy too when Jimmy Kimmel lifted him up in the air (the way Mufasa lifts Simba in the film) to the tune of Lion King.
.@JimmyKimmel lifts 8-year-old "Lion" actor Sunny Pawar into the air in reenactment of "Lion King" scene. https://t.co/HnlDqe809w #Oscars pic.twitter.com/7S3YskFsLw
— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017
While some people just couldn't handle the cuteness, others found the dynamics of a brown kid being showcased by a white celebrity in the emulation of an African themed film, quite racist.
here's how you can pick up sunny pawar without it being weird and racist pic.twitter.com/mCvlAJbujO
— E. Alex Jung (@e_alexjung) February 27, 2017
Wonder how the hell can people call @jimmykimmel lifting #SunnyPawar a "RACIST" moment! It was a FUNNY and an ENJOYABLE moment! #Oscars
— Chirag Khanna (@Chirag5Khanna) February 28, 2017
I was actually liking #oscars2017 and then @jimmykimmel held up Sunny Pawar like The Lion King and the feeling of racist ick returned. #smh
— Ms. Shah (@bluekrsna) February 27, 2017
Lion King + Sunny Pawar are my two current favourite things in the world together.
— Dhiya Kuriakose (@DhiyaKuriakose) February 27, 2017
He would NOT have held up a little white kid like Simba and played the song from Lion King--nope, not even for a film called "Lion." #oscars
— Elaine Welteroth (@ElaineWelteroth) February 27, 2017
Because nothing says "we're not racist" like a white Hollywood elite lifting up a colored minority kid like Simba w/ Lion King music #oscars
— kuh-laire (@eclairelouisa) February 27, 2017
This #LionKing tribute with Sunny Pawar is another level. And ending with more candy. It's too much (in the best way)! #Oscars
— Landmark Theatres (@LandmarkLTC) February 27, 2017