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<p><strong><span>Q.</span><span> Did you first get the itch to direct while you were studying acting at the Film &amp; Television Institute of India (FTII)?</span></strong></p><p><span>I opted for FTII because I was interested in how films were made. I was never just an acting student there, and I assisted a lot of seniors in different departments—direction, production design, editing. Making a film was part of this nagging desire that I need to do this. It has been on my mind for 17 years now.</span></p><p><strong><span>Q. </span><span>While acting across films and web series, did you keep thinking about directing too?</span></strong></p><p><span>I&rsquo;ve made mental notes all these years of what to do, not to do, who to work with. When season three of <em>Four More Shots Please!</em> ended, I approached Rangita Nandy, expressing my interest in directing a few episodes. She said, &ldquo;Shy, I totally believe you can. But I need to see something you have made.&rdquo; I made <em>Aasmani</em> to show people what I was capable of.</span></p><p><strong><span>Q.</span><span> A short film is traditionally seen as a stepping stone for filmmakers. Do you hope to direct more?</span></strong></p><p><span>I love watching short films, acting in them and reading short stories. <em>Aasmani</em> is my first baby. There was a lot of learning that happened every single day. I made an accessible film. The idea is to tell more stories and grow with every film.</span></p><p><strong><span>Q. </span><span>Do you have a release in mind?</span></strong></p><p><span>If you make a film, you want people to watch it and the money invested recovered. I don&rsquo;t see making shorts as &lsquo;<em>haath saaf kar liya</em>&rsquo; (doing for the heck of it). I will approach all OTT platforms. It&rsquo;d be nice to have a release in theatres alongside a feature or with a bouquet of shorts.</span></p><div id="lrcmtcont"></div><div class="end_story">- Ends</div><div class="dottedimg"></div><div class="authors__container"><div class="authors__by"><div class="authlable">Published By: </div><div class="authdetaisl">Mansi </div></div><div class="published__on"><div class="authlable">Published On: </div><div class="authdetaisl">May 22, 2026 18:52 IST</div></div></div>

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<p><strong><span style="color:#c0392b;">Q.</span><span style="color:#000000;"> Did you first get the itch to direct while you were studying acting at the Film & Television Institute of India (FTII)?</span></strong></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">I opted for FTII because I was interested in how films were made. I was never just an acting student there, and I assisted a lot of seniors in different departments—direction, production design, editing. Making a film was part of this nagging desire that I need to do this. It has been on my mind for 17 years now.</span></p><p><strong><span style="color:#c0392b;">Q. </span><span style="color:#000000;">While acting across films and web series, did you keep thinking about directing too?</span></strong></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">I’ve made mental notes all these years of what to do, not to do, who to work with. When season three of <em>Four More Shots Please!</em> ended, I approached Rangita Nandy, expressing my interest in directing a few episodes. She said, “Shy, I totally believe you can. But I need to see something you have made.” I made <em>Aasmani</em> to show people what I was capable of.</span></p><p><strong><span style="color:#c0392b;">Q.</span><span style="color:#000000;"> A short film is traditionally seen as a stepping stone for filmmakers. Do you hope to direct more?</span></strong></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">I love watching short films, acting in them and reading short stories. <em>Aasmani</em> is my first baby. There was a lot of learning that happened every single day. I made an accessible film. The idea is to tell more stories and grow with every film.</span></p><p><strong><span style="color:#c0392b;">Q. </span><span style="color:#000000;">Do you have a release in mind?</span></strong></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">If you make a film, you want people to watch it and the money invested recovered. I don’t see making shorts as ‘<em>haath saaf kar liya</em>’ (doing for the heck of it). I will approach all OTT platforms. It’d be nice to have a release in theatres alongside a feature or with a bouquet of shorts.</span></p><div id="lrcmtcont"></div><div class="end_story">- Ends</div><div class="dottedimg"></div><div class="authors__container"><div class="authors__by"><div class="authlable">Published By: </div><div class="authdetaisl">Mansi </div></div><div class="published__on"><div class="authlable">Published On: </div><div class="authdetaisl">May 22, 2026 18:52 IST</div></div></div>

Sayani Gupta sits in the director's chair for the first time with her short, 'Aasmani', about a powder-blue Fiat and its owner who is trying to save it

India Today

Sayani Gupta sits in the director’s chair for the first time with her short, Aasmani, about a powder-blue Fiat and its owner who is trying to save it


Q&A with Sayani Gupta | New direction - India Today

Q&A with Sayani Gupta | New direction

Sayani Gupta sits in the director’s chair for the first time with her short, 'Aasmani', about a powder-blue Fiat and its owner who is trying to save it

qa-with-sayani-gupta--new-direction-225137595-16x9.jpg

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Q&A with Sayani Gupta | New direction

Sayani Gupta sits in the director's chair for the first time with her short, 'Aasmani', about a powder-blue Fiat and its owner who is trying to save it

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