Shoojit Sircar, Vikramaditya Motwane launch Thursday Special teaser, call short films vital in today’s landscape

Billed as a tender exploration of love, companionship, and change, Thursday Special will be released on January 29 on the Humans of Cinema channel on YouTube after having already built a strong reputation on the international festival circuit. Sircar and Motwane’s decision to come on board as presenters, the filmmakers said, is rooted in a shared belief that short films remain a critical entry point — and sometimes an end goal — for contemporary filmmakers navigating an increasingly expensive industry.

 

 

 

 

 

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Motwane on relevance of short films

Speaking about the relevance of short films today, Motwane said they continue to be “an essential route to longer-format filmmaking,” even as technology has lowered entry barriers. 

“You can make a career out of making only short films, and most filmmakers use them as stepping stones towards features or series. 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. But overall, filmmaking has become expensive,” Motwane noted.

The filmmaker, known for acclaimed titles like Black Warrant, Udaan and Lootera, also flagged distribution as the biggest challenge facing short filmmakers. 

“How do you get your films to the right audience? How do you get distribution for short films? Because there is not really a robust market in terms of money recovery. There was, maybe five or ten years ago, but that has diminished considerably,” he said, adding that support from established filmmakers can help bridge that gap. 

“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.”

Shoojit Sircar on short films

Sircar echoed the sentiment, stressing the role short films play in fostering originality. The filmmaker, who had earlier stated that Thursday Special had reminded him of his unreleased Amitabh Bachchan-led feature Shoe Bite, added, “Short films have always been a vital space for learning and experimentation. They demand clarity, resourcefulness, and strong storytelling—skills essential for any filmmaker. In today’s landscape, where originality can feel scarce, short films offer fresh voices and new ideas. Established filmmakers play a crucial role by giving these voices a platform; sometimes a small push can make a lasting difference.”

Thursday Special follows an elderly couple whose relationship unfolds through a weekly ritual built around food. The film is produced by Karan Luthra, written by Tandon with Krati Tandon as co-writer and executive producer.

After premiering at Mecal Pro, Barcelona, Thursday Special has won over 25 awards across categories globally. These 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 in the US, establishing a strong global festival presence ahead of its public release.

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