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Acclaimed Indian filmmakers Shoojit Sircar and Vikramaditya Motwane have joined forces to present “Thursday Special,” a short film by Indian National Award winner Varun Tandon that has earned significant recognition on the international festival circuit.
The intimate drama, which explores themes of love, companionship and the passage of time, recently claimed the Most Poetic Film Award at Serbia’s Küstendorf Film Festival 2025, a distinction personally selected by renowned director Emir Kusturica.
“Thursday Special” stars Anubha Fatehpuria and Ramakanth Dayama as Ram and Shakuntala, an elderly married couple whose relationship is anchored by their mutual passion for food and a weekly Thursday tradition. Karan Luthra produces, with Tandon penning the script alongside co-writer and executive producer Krati Tandon.
Sircar, whose directing credits include “Piku,” “Vicky Donor” and “October,” praised the film’s understated approach. “Thursday Special really moved me with its simplicity and gentle storytelling,” he said, drawing comparisons to his own unreleased feature “Shoe Bite,” which starred Amitabh Bachchan.
“Varun’s nuanced portrayal of companionship, ageing, and love is heartfelt and mature. It’s a delicately handled take on marriage and middle-age relationships – especially impressive for a young filmmaker – and it reminded me, in a way, of my unreleased film Shoe Bite,” Sircar added. “The storytelling in ‘Thursday Special’ is clear and sincere, with every department serving the story. Knowing that Varun has made over 15 short films highlighted his passion and dedication, and I felt both he and the film deserved support.”
Motwane, known for pushing boundaries in contemporary Indian cinema, emphasized the film’s focus on overlooked narratives. “When I watched ‘Thursday Special’, I was struck by the fact that though all the stories we tell are human stories, we tend to forget that there are so many other stories out there in the mundane, and in the lives of people who you would not expect to have unique stories,” he said.
“I really enjoyed the film. I think people should see it, and they will like it. It’s a film that you can talk about and discuss and not just from an aesthetic perspective. While it’s beautifully directed and performed, it is truly special in terms of pure story, pure feeling,” Motwane added.
For Tandon, whose short “Syaahi” earned a Special Jury Award at the Indian National Film Awards, the project represents a long-cherished creative vision. “This is a story that has stayed in my heart for years. I was taken over by the sheer excitement and curiosity to see these characters on screen and watch their lives unfold,” said the filmmaker, who also directed the documentary short “Dribbling Dreams.”
“Thursday Special is a heartfelt portrayal of a couple whose lives revolve around their shared passion for food. Through their weekly tradition, we delve into their world and witness the intricate layers of their relationship,” Tandon added.
The short has amassed more than 25 awards across global festivals since its premiere at Mecal Pro in Barcelona. Notable wins include Best Narrative Short at the New York Indian Film Festival, Best International Short Film at the Adelaide Independent Film Festival, and Best Narrative Short at the Tryon International Film Festival.
The film is set for release on Jan. 29 via the Humans of Cinema YouTube channel.
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Naman Ramachandran
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