A mega collaboration is taking shape around an Indian short film that has already drawn international attention. Filmmakers Shoojit Sircar and Vikramaditya Motwane have come on board to present Thursday Special, the short film by National Award-winning filmmaker Varun Tandon. It won the Most Poetic Film Award, an honour personally chosen by Emir Kusturica at the Küstendorf Film Festival 2025.
Billed as a tender exploration of love, companionship, and change, Thursday Special is headlined by seasoned actors Anubha Fatehpuria and Ramakanth Dayama. The film will be released on January 29 on the Humans of Cinema channel on YouTube.
Produced by Karan Luthra and written by Tandon, with Krati Tandon as co-writer and executive producer, the film centres on Ram and Shakuntala, an aged couple bound by years of marriage, a shared love for food, and a cherished Thursday ritual.
Shoojit Sircar on presenting Thursday Special
“Thursday Special really moved me with its simplicity and gentle storytelling,” said Sircar, whose filmography includes modern classics such as Piku, Vicky Donor and October.
The filmmaker went on to draw a personal parallel with his own unreleased feature Shoe Bite, starring 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-aged relationships, especially impressive for a young filmmaker, and it reminded me, in a way, of my unreleased film Shoe Bite. 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,” Sircar added.
Vikramaditya Motwane on presenting Thursday Special
Motwane, the creative force behind films and series that have redefined contemporary Indian cinema, said what stayed with him after watching Thursday Special was its attention to lives that often go unnoticed on screen.
“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.”
Explaining his decision to step in as presenter, Motwane added, “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.”
Varun Tandon on Thursday Special
For Tandon, the journey of Thursday Special has been deeply personal.
“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. 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,” said Tandon, who has also directed the critically acclaimed short documentary ‘Dribbling Dreams’.”
The film’s emotional resonance has translated strongly on the international festival circuit as well. After premiering at Mecal Pro, Barcelona, Thursday Special has won over 25 awards across categories globally.
