Acclaimed Indian filmmakers Shoojit Sircar and Vikramaditya Motwane have teamed up to present an award-winning short film titled "Thursday Special" by Varun Tandon, which has garnered significant recognition on the international festival circuit.
The intimate drama explores themes of love, companionship, and the passage of time, recently claiming the Most Poetic Film Award at Serbia's Küstendorf Film Festival 2025, a distinction personally selected by renowned director Emir Kusturica.
Starring Anubha Fatehpuria and Ramakanth Dayama as an elderly married couple whose relationship is anchored by their mutual passion for food and a weekly Thursday tradition, the film offers a nuanced portrayal of companionship, ageing, and love.
Director Sircar praised the film's understated approach, drawing comparisons to his own unreleased feature "Shoe Bite," which starred Amitabh Bachchan. He described Varun's portrayal as heartfelt and mature.
Motwane highlighted the film's focus on overlooked narratives, noting that there are many stories waiting to be told in the mundane lives of ordinary people.
For Tandon, the project represents a long-cherished creative vision, a story that has stayed with him for years. He expressed his excitement to see these characters on screen and watch their lives unfold.
Since its premiere at Mecal Pro in Barcelona, "Thursday Special" has amassed over 25 awards across global festivals, including notable wins such as Best Narrative Short at the New York Indian Film Festival and Best International Short Film at the Adelaide Independent Film Festival.
The film is set to be released on Jan. 29 via the Humans of Cinema YouTube channel.
The intimate drama explores themes of love, companionship, and the passage of time, recently claiming the Most Poetic Film Award at Serbia's Küstendorf Film Festival 2025, a distinction personally selected by renowned director Emir Kusturica.
Starring Anubha Fatehpuria and Ramakanth Dayama as an elderly married couple whose relationship is anchored by their mutual passion for food and a weekly Thursday tradition, the film offers a nuanced portrayal of companionship, ageing, and love.
Director Sircar praised the film's understated approach, drawing comparisons to his own unreleased feature "Shoe Bite," which starred Amitabh Bachchan. He described Varun's portrayal as heartfelt and mature.
Motwane highlighted the film's focus on overlooked narratives, noting that there are many stories waiting to be told in the mundane lives of ordinary people.
For Tandon, the project represents a long-cherished creative vision, a story that has stayed with him for years. He expressed his excitement to see these characters on screen and watch their lives unfold.
Since its premiere at Mecal Pro in Barcelona, "Thursday Special" has amassed over 25 awards across global festivals, including notable wins such as Best Narrative Short at the New York Indian Film Festival and Best International Short Film at the Adelaide Independent Film Festival.
The film is set to be released on Jan. 29 via the Humans of Cinema YouTube channel.
! The way they explored the theme of companionship and aging in "Thursday Special" really resonates with me. 
! The awards it's already won are a testament to Varun Tandon's talent 
. love how it focuses on an elderly couple and their relationship, it's like you're sitting in the kitchen with them, having a cuppa and watching them chop veggies together 
. think it's great that these directors are giving us stories we don't usually see on screen, like the lives of ordinary people and all the quiet moments in between 
. can't wait to watch it on youtube on jan 29! 
I mean, it's nice that these filmmakers are getting recognized for their work, but have you noticed how the 'poetic' part in "Most Poetic Film Award" is kinda just a marketing buzzword? Like, what does it even mean? It sounds fancy, but is it really saying anything meaningful about the film itself? I'm not saying the film isn't well-made or anythin', but let's keep an eye on these kinds of awards and see if they're actually contributing to a more nuanced understanding of cinema or just lookin' good on paper 
... I mean, congrats to Varun Tandon and his team for making "Thursday Special" a hit! 
. Like, what does it really say about the judges' tastes?
... Shoojit Sircar and Vikramaditya Motwane do know their stuff, after all! But let's keep things in perspective here 
. What really stood out to me was how grounded and realistic it felt, no fancy dramatics or anything like that 
. It just told a story that needed to be told, you know? And I think the awards they won are well-deserved 
.
I think what's really cool about this short film "Thursday Special" is how it explores the little things in life that can bring people together - like a weekly tradition centered around food 
. It's awesome that Varun Tandon has had this story on his mind for so long and its finally coming to life, Im curious to see Anubha Fatehpuria & Ramakanth Dayama bring these characters to life 
. Plus, it's got Amitabh Bachchan involved somehow (no biggie 
), so you know it's gonna be good! Can't wait to see this one on YouTube on Jan 29th... who else is excited? 
, I'm loving this collab between Shoojit Sircar & Vikramaditya Motwane! Varun Tandon's "Thursday Special" sounds like a real heart-rounder. The fact that it got the Most Poetic Film Award at Küstendorf Film Festival 2025 is amazing 
I mean, another award-winning short film that's all about how nice it is to watch old people cook together 
? Give me something with some real conflict. And 25 awards? That's just a bunch of empty calories 
. What does it really mean? Can this film even hold up in five years when all the hype dies down? I'm not trying to be harsh, but let's just wait and see how this one holds up 
. I mean, can you imagine a film that explores love, companionship, and time in such a beautiful way? 
! But what I'm most excited about is how this film showcases the beauty in everyday moments, you know? Like, who doesn't love a good Thursday tradition over food? 
can't wait to watch this film on jan 29 
. i love how it explores the nuances of companionship and ageing in a quiet, intimate way. its like watching an old friend's story unfold on screen 
I mean, who wouldn't want to see a film that's all about foodie couples and exploring the complexities of relationships? 
. Their chemistry is real, I'm already invested in their story 
. Anyway, more than 25 awards? That's a lot of recognition for a short film! I'm excited to see this one on YouTube on Jan 29 
Anubha Fatehpuria and Ramakanth Dayama are talented actors for sure! Can't wait to watch this film on Jan 29