Duet director Sheetal Menon on why the film took three years to release

Sidhant Gupta in ‘Duet’

After almost three years, filmmaker Sheetal Menon is finally seeing her short film, Duet, reach audiences, and in a first-of-its-kind way. Starring Sidhant Gupta, the drama premières on Spotify on July 30, becoming the first short film to debut on the audio-streaming platform. Feeling overwhelmed, Menon, who directed and co-wrote the film, tells mid-day, "[It happened] in the best possible way."

Sheetal Menon

Shot in 2023, Duet follows pianist who, amid the isolating backdrop of COVID-19, is left grappling with the loss of his estranged brother. The lack of a proper distribution channel for short films delayed its release. "We still do not have a clear ecosystem for short films in India. We go the festival route, but to have a life for the film beyond that is a struggle. Finally, it was Bejoy [Nambiar, producer-husband] who spoke to the right platform," she says.

Menon credits Vikramaditya Motwane for introducing her to Gupta, who was then shooting Jubilee. "I shared the script with Vikram for feedback, and he said, ‘Why don't you speak to this actor?' I really lucked out. Sidhant would just come to the office, read the script, and have a book of questions [about his character]. I was amazed."

On Sidhant Gupta's prep

Menon says Gupta spent nearly two months preparing for the role. "He had a piano teacher to train him. I don't think it was even over a month, and he was playing the notes," shares the filmmaker

Sheetal Menon's works

‘Duet' marks her second directorial after the short ‘Siblings' in 2019. Starring Shivani Tanksale and Menon herself, the story explored the dynamics and emotional bonds between siblings facing a crisis.