An Indian child actor has been denied a visa to the Unites States to attend the premiere of his movie in New York. Sunny Pawar, who features in Lion, starring Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel, was supposed to fly to New York and Los Angeles this week for the movie's screenings, film studio Weinstein Company said, according to The Guardian.

The company believes Pawar, whose acting debut is in Lion, was not granted a visa over immigration concerns. "We believe it must be the effect of immigration paranoia...We want him to be a part of the celebration of this film and his performance," Weinstein Company President David Glasser said. "We fully intend to go through the proper resources and appeal with the state department for assistance."

The 8-year-old did not attend Lion's screening at the Toronto Film Festival either. It is slated for release in the US on November 25, in the United Kingdom on January 20 and in Australia on January 19.