On Tuesday, Shoojit Sircar and Vikramaditya Motwane officially launched the teaser of Thursday Special, a short film featuring Ramakanth Dayama and Anubha Fatehpuria in lead cast. National-award winning filmmaker Varun Tandon helms direction for the film that will premiere on YouTube on January 29.
Promising to tell the story of an ageing couple who find respite in each other’s companionship as their relationship unfolds through a weekly ritual built around food, Thursday Special is billed as ‘a tender exploration of love, companionship, and change.’
Underlining his decision to come on board as presenter for Thursday Special, Motwane said, “You can make a career out of making only short films, and most filmmakers use them as stepping stones towards features or series.” While the Udaan filmmaker acknowledged that filmmaking has become expensive, he added, “It has become a lot easier in terms of technology and what you can achieve today in a short film, including the kind of budgets you can make them for.” Agreeing with Motwane, Shoojit said, “Short films have always been a vital space for learning and experimentation. They demand clarity, resourcefulness, and strong storytelling. In today’s landscape, where originality can feel scarce, short films offer fresh voices and new ideas.”
While talking about the distribution struggles for short films, especially in current market, Motwane noted that support from established filmmakers can help bridge that gap. He added, “If someone I respect is presenting a short film, I’m automatically curious. That visibility matters when these films become a showreel or a pathway to larger work.”
Thursday Special is produced by Karan Luthra, and written by Tandon in association with Krati Tandon, who is also the executive producer.
After its premiere at Mecal Pro, Barcelona, the film has had screenings at many film festivals across the world — including New York Indian Film Festival, Adelaide Independent Film Festival, and the Tryon International Film Festival — and has won over 25 awards in various categories globally.